The Byron Residents’ Group are encouraging people who want to make a submission against the West Byron development to do so today before the deadline.
‘It’s not too late,’ say the group who have a large list of concerns regarding the development.
Submissions close today but the group have published a guide to the three steps needed to submit and hope that submitters will open with a personalised introduction about who they are and how they fit into the community as well as their thoughts and concerns on how the development will impact the community.
The residents group say that the ‘local’ landowners of West Byron (known as Site R&D) have not accepted the refusal by the Northern Regional Planning Panel and are challenging the outcome in the Land and Environment Court.
An amended development
‘They have put forward an “amended” Development Application (DA) for the Courts to decide on – not us, not Council,’ they say. ‘The Court will consider submissions on this new DA so we need everyone step up and do their bit for our town.’
The group say that the DA is: not in the public interest and that the community rejection of the over-development of West Byron has been substantial with 5000+ objections from local residents, and thousands marching in the street; it is misleading in that there is not much difference to the originally submitted DA for 387 lots that was refused; there is no masterplan or coordination of the whole West Byron urban release area, and; there will be traffic chaos, generating over 14,000 additional vehicle trips per day on Ewingsdale Road.
Site is a wetland
The group also say that the development site is a drained wetland that is flood-affected and directly adjacent to the Belongil Creek. Belongil Estuary is a Special Purpose Zone of Cape Byron Marine Park. Urban stormwater discharge and changes to the entrances to estuaries are the top priority threats to NSW’s marine estate, and this proposed development will impact on both. Additionally, acid sulfate run-off and an increased volume of effluent from the Sewage Treatment Plant will enter the Belongil Creek, compounding its poor water quality.
They also say that there are climate change impacts, the importing some 500,000m3 of fill and a proposed four metre ‘acoustic wall’, framing the entry into Byron Bay.
They also have concerns about koalas – they says the developers claim that there are no koalas living on the site – also with what they see as damage to the local economy that will suffer from increased traffic congestion, polluted waterways, a giant wall and a generic mega suburb at our entrance will damage our reputation as a unique holiday destination.
Submissions can be made on the Byron Shire Council website – visit www.protectbyron.com for help with your submission. To make a submission email: [email protected] with the subject line – West Byron amended Development Application 10.2017.661.1. then you submission.
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