It is time to get your boots on, banners out and voices limbered up for a major rally being held on Sunday June 17 at 10am at Apex Park, Byron Bay to express community outrage at the West Byron development proposal. If you have meant to do something to show your opposition to the development but haven’t quite managed it yet – then now is the time to do it.
The Northern Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) will be deciding on the two contentious development applications (DAs) on a large parcel of land opposite the Arts Industry Estate on Ewingsdale Road. The proposal is not supported by the Byron Shire council and is opposed by NSW Labor and Greens, while local Nationals MLC Ben Franklin has expressed concerns over the development proposal.
While in March the ‘NSW planning minister Anthony Roberts (Liberal) told parliament he has no role in determining the development… his comments also are at odds with a letter he sent to Council in 2017, where he threatened to personally intervene unless a development control plan for West Byron is produced to his liking – and timing.’
As previously reported by Echonetdaily ‘the proposal suggests 668 residential blocks, two business lots, two industrial lots, one recreation lot and four residue lots.’ These will be broken up into two sections ‘One DA is being put forward by a collective of ‘locals’ while the other is by Sydney based developer Terry Agnew and Queensland based construction company Villa World.’
According to the Byron Residents Group who are organising the rally the size of the ‘mega suburb’ will be equal to more than twice the ‘size of Sunrise – that’s before the secondary dwellings that will (inevitably) get built.’
The rally is being organised ahead of the JRPP community hearing meeting that is scheduled for June 19 at the Mullumbimby Council chambers from 3.30pm.
‘There are two sessions of two hours each which is not a lot of time for everyone to be heard,’ said a spokesperson for the Byron Residents Group.
Get involved
The Byron Residents Group are calling for people to not only come to the rally but to get involved in organising it and spreading the word. They need help to put up posters, prepare T-shirts and banners, collect signatures and donations and marshalling the crowd.
A banner painting party will be taking place on Saturday, June 16 where you can ‘paint a banner, drink tea, or just throw in ideas for slogans to go on a banner’, said organiser Deborah Lilly.
Bring materials if you have some to spare and a plate to share. For more info call Deborah on 6684 3723.
If you have the time and energy to help beforehand or during the event then email Byron Residents’ Group [email protected] and if not make sure you turn up to the rally to get your voice heard.
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