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Byron Shire
March 18, 2024

Byron’s big mall gets started

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Shovel ready: mayor Simon Richardson and pictured from left, builder Scott Hutchinson with developers Mark Harrison and Rob Badalotti. Photo Jeff Dawson
Shovel ready: mayor Simon Richardson and pictured from left, builder Scott Hutchinson with developers Mark Harrison and Rob Badalotti. Photo Jeff Dawson

Construction is set to start next week on Mercato on Byron – a new supermarket, retail and cinema complex in Jonson Street.

Peter Kelly from Three Plus public relations company said earthworks will begin ‘as part of an 18-month project to create regional NSW’s most sustainable shopping complex in keeping with Byron’s relaxed beachside style.’

The development will include a new Woolworths supermarket, a nine-screen Palace Cinema complex, specialty retailers and expanded undercover parking. New traffic conditions will operate from early June, with entrance to the site limited to left turn in and left turn out only.

‘Onsite recycling and solar electricity generation are among an array of sustainable design features contributing to a five-star greenstar design rating representing Australian best practice,’ said Kelly. 

Raine and Horne’s Sophie Christou said, ‘We are still looking for a handful of retailers with offers that suit the Byron Bay community.’

She added Mercato on Byron offers spaces up to 500m2, which is large for Byron CBD.


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10 COMMENTS

  1. ‘We are still looking for a handful of retailers with offers that suit the Byron Bay community.’ … now, this I want to see. I am part of the Byron Bay community and I don’t want to see franchise stores, and I can’t afford, nor do I want shops that sell $500 handbags and shoes. Interesting times …

  2. mr mayor shmoozling up to over -the -top development …depressing image Echo .. so what if its entirely made of solar panels , its gold coast scale overbearing and threatening hideousness.

  3. I was one of the first customers to get the famous Terri Burger at the Rib Cage when it first opened. Slowly but surely Byron has succumbed to the ravages of growing pains. This latest approval is a milestone removing what was left of a time gone by…The Golden Arches will appear next so RIP Byron, it was great to know you…They came,They saw ,They concreted!!

    • Oh so true…
      And what is going on with the pubs / bars ?
      The Brewery has become something of great dissapointment to me…
      The vibe has been replaced with star ratings. .
      So bloody sad.

  4. I would not be surprised to see Apple take a lease for a good-sized space.

    For years, Apple’s “Business Development Managers” would visit our shop, Lightforce Computers, in the Industrial Estate. My feeling was they were always more keen on helping themselves then helping develop our business. The proof in the pudding was their complicity in being instrumental in seeing our successful business close, due to their ability to manipulate our access to inventory, etc.

    Few people remember that the first Apple stores opened were done so as ‘showcase stores’ where it was more important for the customer to have an Apple Playground of devices than actually make a purchase. Hence, these original stores were extended by Apple under ‘Advertising & Public Relations’ and they did not need to make a profit.

    As millions from around the world stream thru Byron, what a great place an Apple Centre would be to kill an hour or two playing with technology or even maybe buying something to have shipped home after your holiday. If no profit is made, They don’t need to worry much with two hundred billion cash on hand.

    If Council had a brain, they would have tacked on mandatory ‘reduced rent’ criteria for useful services like the ones that have disappeared during the “Gouging of Byron Rents”… Shops like a Shoemaker for repairs, a Dry Cleaner, and other smaller daily necessities instead of more high priced Chain Store Junk catering to holiday makers- not the locals, who, for the most part, aren’t cashing in on these transients and have no use for more boutiques.

  5. and now a mall? …. this is the final nail in the coffin of what was once a beautiful town and a much visited tourist destination, now shunned by many international travelers due its loss of charm…. another town plastered with a gaudy facade and destroyed by council greed…. bye bye Byron Bay, may your once free and beautiful spirit rest in peace.

  6. You’re right, Mark. Byron Bay is not a real town anymore … it’s a tatty theme park pandering to the tourist dollar. Westfield-on-Sea might be a more appropriate name.

    And as for that awful photo … an alternative caption might be: “Fat cat ‘miners’ dig for Byron’s gold”.

  7. Shovel and (all to) ready to bend!
    Our once proud ex-activist Mayor is now rolling over to the dictates of ‘developers’.
    Just yesterday he thumbed his nose at the Brunswick and wider community by rolling onto his back for the State Govt ‘Developers’ from Sydney town.
    This was after a 20+ year fight by Bruns’ residents to have this ‘developer’ agree to operate 3 Caravan and Camping parks WITHIN the correct boundaries!
    We as a community are gutted at the disloyalty shown and rushed proceedings per this debate in council chambers yesterday.
    At no time were the key players (Community reps, council reps and Crown reps) invited to a round-table to nut out a result pleasing or at least bearable.
    Most of the new councillors have gone down on bended knee to their master from lack of historical knowledge and a desire to please.
    At no point in this sorry saga did Simon suggest or inspire the use of Legal Advice.
    He’s lost my vote but he won’t care as he most likely has a cushy desk job in Sydney to dream about.
    (Thanks Councillor’s Coorey and Spooner for your sensible debating on this matter).

  8. I do not know why I even bother but I will keep on.

    Mark – this Council does not have a brain. It has The Greens running it.
    Sarah – do not be too alarmed. The Mayor has obviously never used a shovel in his life from that stance and hand position.

    But again I say it – you people keep voting for them. At least Sarah has seen the error of her ways. For penance you have to hand out for Paul Spooner come next election.

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