Ex Eagles guitarist Joe Walsh released an album in 1981 titled ‘There goes the neighbourhood’ and that was the first thought that came to me after five Byron shire councillors chose to support the planning department’s recommendation to approve the DA for a 10 unit development at 116 Stuart Street Mullumbimby.
Not only is this overdevelopment in the Heritage Conservation precinct, it will also cause a great deal of disruption and loss of amenity for the immediate neighbours.
My biggest fear is that it will set a precedent even though i have been assured that each DA will be treated on its merits.
Koho projects and similiar developers must be jumping for joy and just waiting to pounce on the next block of land in a deceased estate within 400 metres of the CBD under the guise of providing affordable housing.
A rescission motion has been lodged and at the time of writing I’m not sure whether this will happen.
My thanks to councillors Basil Cameron, Duncan Dey, Rose Wanchap and Simon Richardson for supporting our efforts and responding to the community’s overwhelmingly rejection of this inappropriate development.
Chris Cooney, Mullumbimby
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