Electric-bike hire business owner Luke Young was originally given four weeks’ notice to remove the container he operated his business, Sunshine Cycles, out of then just prior to Christmas received a letter from council ‘saying that they will forcefully remove us,’ said Mr Young.
Mr Young was planning to spend Christmas day chained to the top of his business if council tried to remove the container.
However, the human chaining event was averted by the intervention of lawyers on behalf of Mr Young, who have pointed out to Council the tenancy rights of Sunshine Cycles at that location.
‘The Council have now said they won’t do anything until January 17,’ Mr Young said.
With the possibility of moving to a site near Elements of Byron resort, Sunshine Cycles submitted a development application (DA) to Council on December 28. However, staff have told Mr Young that it could be several months before the DA is processed.
Acting general manager Mr Arnold told The Echo, ‘Byron Shire Council has worked openly and transparently with the owner of Sunshine Cycles, Luke Young, since August 2016, when he approached Council asking, as a show of support for “startup” businesses, to be given permission to operate from a relocatable pod at the First Sun Caravan Park in Byron Bay’s town centre.’
‘An external agency subsequently raised concerns that the site Mr Young occupies had not been offered competitively.’
