Byron Shire councillors voted in favour of an urgency motion to object to the rural industries food precinct proposal on Lismore Road, Bangalow, at last week’s Council meeting.
Councillors requested that a staff member submit the objection to the Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) on the grounds of ‘excessive bulk and scale of buildings and infrastructure’, lack of clarity of changing costs of project, traffic, wastewater treatment, impacts on local koala and platypus populations and ‘failure to outline the need for such a large food industry precinct’.
The JRPP will commence consideration of the development application (DA) from August 17. Mayor Simon Richardson has declared a conflict of interest and recused himself from the panel.
His alternate will be wildlife ecologist David Milledge.
During public access Bangalow resident Ean Jones said the community ‘had examined the DA and has come to the conclusion that this is inappropriate for a heritage town like Bangalow… and that it sets a catastrophic precedent’ in law.
The mayor also tabled a petition containing 1,768 signatures from residents objecting to the development. In addition 400 submissions have been lodged in relation to the DA.
A public briefing will be held by the JRPP on August 17. You don’t need to have put in a submission to speak but you do need to register. To register email [email protected] or phone 02 8217 2060 before 4pm on August 15.
Councillors nonetheless highlighted the need for a food hub within the Shire to support local agricultural and food development in the right location.
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