Jo Campbell, Mullumbimby
Many residents in Mullumbimby have heard about ‘Lot 22’ but understand little about where it is or what all the talk is about. Everyone knows about West Byron but why do so few know about Lot 22? It’s because Council has never once described it as Mullumbimby Sportsfields or the Rec Ground at the end of Stuart Street.
Lot 22 adjoins the skatepark, tennis courts, netball courts, playing fields and athletics field used by the community and the Mullumbimby High School.
Lot 22 was bought from a local farmer some years ago for sport and recreation because it wasn’t suitable for residential housing owing to a number of constraints including major flooding.
Council have now decided this land is excess to the community’s needs and perfect for housing so are planning to get the land rezoned from Recreation to Residential so they can create a 200+ lot subdivision, with each lot being 200m2 for a manufactured-home estate.
Many believe this should be kept as community land so as the Shire grows in population, we would have this asset that could be turned into a fantastic open space and sporting precinct (hockey, BMX track, soccer, footy, netball etc) with parks, wetlands and wildlife.
Why are our ‘Greens’ Council more than happy to develop our sportsfields however, openly they oppose any other landholders who may wish to develop their land?
Byron Shire has a lot of land so is it really necessary to steal Lot 22 out from under this community?
A public hearing about the rezoning is scheduled for Wednesday 6 February, 5:30pm at the Council Chambers, 70–90 Station Street Mullumbimby.
To speak at the public hearing register on Council’s Website (https://www.yoursaybyronshire.com.au/lot-22-mullumbimby-future-housing-proposal) or by contacting Steve Daniels on 02 6626 7315 before 4pm Wednesday 30 January 2019.
If you are unable to attend the public hearing you can email your submission to [email protected].
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