Sue Taylor, Bangalow
Bangalow is facing unprecedented pressure with a large industrial / commercial development proposed for the town. The developer has submitted an application of a size and scale which, if approved, would see the character of Bangalow changed forever. To make matters more distressing, the staged development is estimated to cost in excess of $23 million dollars which takes the approval process out of the control of our local Council and hands it over to a State Government planning panel.
The idea of a low key ‘food hub’ – where local producers can manufacture and distribute their products would definitely be supported by the community. Unfortunately this is not what is proposed for the site.
The site is 65 acres of good quality farming land on the Lismore Bangalow Road. The application proposes to cover some 37,000 sq. m with massive sheds. Three of the larger sheds are each approximately 6 times the size of the current Eden’s Co-operative structure across the road! Initially the buildings are mostly for ‘manufacturing’ (anticipated growth could see up to 300 employees on site) but once the farming land is converted to industrial and commercial it will be lost to agricultural practices forever. I believe it is a gross misuse of the rural zone (RU1 Primary Production).
The traffic impact in and out of Bangalow would be far greater than is identified in the application. There are no by-passes around the town so the majority of extra vehicles, including delivery trucks would need to travel through town, either along the residential Granuaille Road, or Bangalow’s (much loved) main street.
When it comes to our economic future, our rural land may well be Byron Shire’s greatest asset. Good quality agricultural land for growing crops and trees needs protecting — not rendered useless by inappropriate development. Let’s hope the regional planning panel assessing the proposal has the foresight to refuse the application.
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