Kollective DA in Sunrise rejected by residents

Hans Lovejoy

Developer Duncan Band from Kollective has again upset neighbours with his plans to demolish an established home and develop eight units on a small residential block at 6 Julian Rocks Drive, Byron Bay.

Residents have pointed to the lack of parking and bins, along with breaches of Council policy around setbacks and building height regulations.

Over 280 submissions have been sent to Council opposed to DA 10.2019.458.1, resident Cathy Stavert told Echonetdaily. 

Stavert says, ‘This is proof that the community has spoken’.

‘They are alarmed at the prospect of this development going ahead, and the precedent it will set for other properties in the area.

‘If approved, this development will go against the will of our whole community and challenge the current demographics of this estate’.

Valued at $1.3m, the DA plans only indicate six carparks and one bin per dwelling, not three.

Meanwhile, Greens mayor Simon Richardson says while he hasn’t seen the DA, ‘As a general planning strategy, infill developments that provide a diverse housing mix, including smaller units for young couples, or downsizing older locals etc makes more sense than urban sprawl.’ 

Unsuitable for elderly

Yet Stavert claims the proposal includes spiral staircases and attic style lofts, ‘which are unsuitable for the elderly and the disabled’.

Additionally, she says the DA breaches Council policy in regard to minimum floor area of units and minimum private open space.

‘Sunrise Beach residents are also concerned about inadequate off-street parking, and a building design which restricts access for the elderly and disabled’.

‘We believe that the DA breaches Council’s setback and building height regulations. The DA allows for only six resident’s car spaces and no visitor car spaces, and only eight bins in total.

‘This development will be directly across the road from a busy school children’s bus stop, and also with a very dangerous t-intersection close by.

‘This residential block is located on a bend on the narrowest street in Sunrise; only 7.6 metres wide, with no footpaths or bicycle lanes. 

‘This street will just end up another parking lot.

‘Take a look at the Kollective development in Sunrise Blv, which is 11.1m wide and the car parking problem created there. As the mayor would say, “another dog’s breakfast” (referring to the traffic and parking problems in the Industrial Estate)’.

It again raises the issue of the unwanted impacts of high density proposals – and the precedent it brings – for residential amenity in the Shire. 

Stavert added, ‘Allowing medium density housing to be built in low density residential areas will force a drastic and unwelcome change in the character of this quiet family friendly neighbourhood’.

The DA is on exhibition on Byron Council’s website.