The Tallowood estate at Mullumbimby plans to begin work on sports facilities after a ‘compromise’ was reached with Byron Shire Council.
In a report to residents the estate managers say that one regulation-size tennis court with a four-metre high ball fence and a basketball/netball half-court will be constructed on the south bank of Tallowood Creek near newly completed Cockatoo Crescent.
A regulation-size football field with a cricket pitch overlaid in season will follow, to be constructed on the area of Tallowood designated for sports fields. The sports fields will include 30 paved carpark spaces.
The managers said that last year ‘Council informed our team that the councillors were looking for ways to reduce ongoing costs of providing services and requested that Tallowood Ridge substantially reduce or eliminate the planned sports facilities. The current council inherited an unsustainable financial future and has little option but to look for opportunities to bring the shire back to a responsible financial position.
‘While we understood their concerns, consent had been issued to construct the sports facilities and Tallowood Ridge had represented to residents that the sports facilities would be built.’
Following on controversy over three residential lots proposed for uphill from Parakeet Place, Tallowood Ridge has agreed to dedicate as nature reserve ‘several areas of the site that border the three lots.
‘The dedication of these areas and the access way to them will provide an additional public pathway through the forest between Parakeet Place and the shelter belt along the ridgeline.’