Hans Lovejoy
Byron Shire Council again spent all morning considering parking plans for the Byron Bay CBD after a rescission motion was brought at yesterday’s (Thursday August 13) meeting.
Councillors thrashed about with amendment upon amendment, unexpected motions and plenty of discussion.
Of notable interest, this issue has split the usual voting right-wing block of Crs Hunter, Woods, Ibrahim, Cubis and Wanchap.
So what’s the latest?
A ratepayer exemption fee of $50 per annum for fee paying coupon recipients would now apply, down from the previous $100. A non Shire resident worker/volunteer exemption fee of $100 per annum will also apply, with a report requested on establishing costs, benefits and other criteria.
Recognition was also made of the markets and their desire to stay on at Butler Street. Current plans would see the Butler Street reserve being developed as an ‘all day car park, operating 6am to 6pm daily with an hourly rate of $3 per hour, up to a maximum of $20 all day.’ Shire resident or ratepayer and non shire resident worker/volunteer exemption would apply.
And lowering the hourly rate to $3 from $4 was also voted in, which was one of the main reasons for yesterday’s rescission motion.
To ‘provide incentive to park outside the town centre’, Clarkes Beach carpark, Jonson Street (south of Kingsley Street) and on-street, east of Middleton, would operate as all day carparks, with an hourly rate of $3 per hour, up to a maximum of $20 all day’. Shire resident or ratepayer and non shire worker/volunteer exemption would apply, and its operating hours would be 9am to 6pm.
Additionally 4P areas would have an hourly rate of $3 per hour, with a maximum of $10 and 1P and 2P areas have an hourly rate at $3.
Cr Ibrahim opposed the plans and told the chamber that there had not been enough community consultation and that the plans were ‘undeveloped’. He referred to the lack of consideration to Butler Street as a parking area and the expected works associated with the looming bypass.
All voted in favour except Crs Ibrahim and Cubis.
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