Community feedback on council’s new draft Employment Lands Strategy is now being sought, which will help shape how much land – and where – should be allocated for industrial, retail and commercial purposes across the Byron Shire.
Director sustainable environment and economy Shannon Burt says, ‘We know that the digital economy is really changing the business landscape in the Byron Shire.’
‘Whatever the future of work might look like, we need places for people to run their businesses and we also need to plan for employment precincts, business centres and infrastructure that will attract desirable investment and growth in the future – but it needs to be aligned with our community’s vision and values,’ she said.
The strategy forecasts that additional land will be required to meet demand over the next 20 years, Burt says.
Town expansion?
She says expansion of the town centres of Byron Bay, Mullumbimby and Bangalow is being considered to meet the growing demand for commercial/retail land in these centres.
The anticipated need for 8–12 hectares of additional industrial land could be provided in potential new industrial sites around Manns Road, Mullumbimby, southern Gulgan Road highway interchange and just east of the highway near Bangalow.
Council would like to hear from businesses, chambers and the wider community during the exhibition period, which ends September 21.
The draft strategy is available on Byron Shire Council‘s website.
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