A major development before Byron Shire Council would see a massive two-storey retail complex replace the existing south carpark at Byron Bay Woolies.
An atrium is planned, which would extend from the existing shops below Palace Cinemas, and behind that would be a ground-floor supermarket. Retail shops would take up a second level and underground parking for 160 cars is also proposed.
The applicant is Global Centres Australia Pty Ltd, and the development would be called Mercato on Byron.
According to the DA, the estimated cost of development is $17,555,000 and the area is 5134m2. The DA, along with 21 supporting attachments, is available at Council’s website. Public comment is open until January 17, 2014 and the DA number is 10.2013.587.1.
Bangalow apartments
Meanwhile, a development application (DA) adjacent to the Bangalow A&I Hall that caused community concern earlier in 2013 is back before Council.
Previously, Sydney developers Gordon Highlands Pty Ltd sought to build eight apartments, three shops and basement car parking for 18 vehicles at 9 Station Street.
But in the current application, town planner Paul De Fina describes it as ‘a two-storey development comprising a mix of uses with both retail facilities and one- and two- bedroom apartments with basement car parking’.
To achieve this, the existing dwelling would be partially demolished and relocated, and the four-car garage demolished. Two street trees and three palm trees would also need removing. According to the DA form, the estimated cost of the development is $4,285,100 and the floor area proposed is 1,098m2. The DA number is 10.2013.570 and is on Council’s website for public exhibition until January 17.
Gee that shopping centre looks right in keeping with the coastal low rise funky, hippy laid back look of Byron. Maybe they mixed up the plans and submitted the new Las Vegas casino plans instead.
Do we need more retail in ugly buildings like that here in Byron? Is that the meaning of life, buy and buy to fill up the tip as fast as possible with goods they can buy cheaper at home.
Only 6% is still used after 6 month, so, 94% is waste. Humanity is insane.
I am continually astounded by the bizarre attempts to corporatise and over-develop this town small town. On a normal day there is little room to move, drive or park.
This, and the outrageous residential development proposal at Belongil Fields would grid-lock Byron. Residents unite – Get rid of them both. Development must reflect the infrastructure which is inadequate and without prospect of improvement. Can anyone imagine the traffic if either of these developments went ahead.
What a ridiculous monstrosity! You wonder how these ‘professional’ developers come up with such incongruous ideas. In this case it’s obvious that no consideration has been given to the style and ambiance of Byron Bay and the type of town its residents have chosen to live in. Our Shire must reject this inappropriate application..
It is the gazetted Town Plan of Council that dictates the scale, uses and to some extent design of these development proposals. They cannot simply be dismissed because you dont like them, unless this type of language is documented in the Town Plan. If I recall parking was a major issue for previous dismissal so it will be interesting to see the issues that will be contested by Council this time.
I dreamt last night ,these developers had their way and Byron looked like Dubai in a few short years. You could look out of your high-rise apartment in Jonson St (if you could afford to stay there) and check out the surf at the Pass, which of course no longer had surf, because of a major marina development that had been pushed through council by a pro-development lobby, helped by a right-wing State Liberal government, who had sold the First Sun Caravan Park to a consortium of oil barons from Dubai,and our very own Clive Palmer, who needed a place to park his power launch while he visited “The Wreck” theme park, a fully interactive surfing experience and dive centre built around the remains of the SS Wollongbar…..
And then I woke up.
I really like that design & I think it’s a great piece of architecture. To me there’s nothing corporate in it’s appearance. It uses sustainable materials in it’s construction and has a quality of design that this town could benefit from. Why would anybody want this town to maintain a weatherboard feel when rammed earth walls are such a good look and sustainable. In my view rammed earth looks fantastic next door to weatherboard or fibro. I think critics may have been overwhelmed by the artists impression because it was simulating a wide angle view and appears larger than life .. but actually it will be much milder in reality. I just don’t understand why Byron needs another supermarket?!?!
Too many of our Shire’s folk are quick to mouth off and criticise without thoughtful evaluation.