Paul Bibby
The developer behind plans to build a 40-seat restaurant next to Scarrabelotti’s lookout has amended the proposal in a bid to get the green light from Byron Shire Council.
And the revised plan has been given a head start, with council planning staff recommending that it be approved.
Situated at one of the most scenic spots in the Byron Bay hinterland, the proposed restaurant would be open during the day from Wednesday to Sunday and feature 180-degree views from the Byron lighthouse to Mount Chincogan.
A number of nearby residents have opposed the development on the grounds that it would diminish the experience of going to the lookout for tourists and locals alike, by impacting on the view and creating more traffic.
They also argued that using part of the lookout area for restaurant parking – which was contained in the first iteration of the plan – was completely inappropriate because this land was donated by the Scarrabelotti family for community use.
At the May planning meeting, a bare majority of councillors voted to defer making a decision on the proposal so that the applicant and Council staff could come up with an amended car parking plan.
They made no mention in their motion of the other concerns in relation to the proposal.
Since then, the applicant has submitted amended plans for the site so that the required car parking is now located on the restaurant site rather than within the lookout area.
It has also offered to undertake further works on the site including an upgrade to the entrance at Coolamon Scenic Drive, landscaping and further planting work, a new sheltered area with paving, and informal parking for lookout visitors.
This amended plan with come back before Council at tomorrow’s planning meeting.
‘These additional works are not required to satisfy the development requirements for the restaurant,’ the Council planner responsible for the proposal, Nancy Tarlao said.
‘However, they will potentially benefit to the community and provide uplift to the current Scarrabelotti’s Lookout arrangements.
‘Conditions of consent are recommended requiring these works be completed as part of the development.’
Ms Tarlao recommended approval of the development subject to Conditions of Consent.
ENDS
I have often driven through our countryside and thought how few special cafes there are to relax, take the visiting family and enjoy the view.
‘The Barbarians are at the gates.’
Land donated by a local family for the community. That’s what it is. Not for some leech to come along and make money off it. How could the council even be considering this? Is there no where else in the shire? Locals should be worried about the precident this sets for other areas of donated public land. What’s next a resort that is ‘good for the whole community’ at the caravan park site in Suffolk Park. This is complete crap.
This below s a very worrying paragraph. Is not a verified Council lookout on Crown land belonging to the people of Byron Shire?
“It has also offered to undertake further works on the site including an upgrade to the entrance at Coolamon Scenic Drive, landscaping and further planting work, a new sheltered area with paving, and informal parking for lookout visitors.”
Part of the experience at the lookout is having very little that is man made and the feeling of being in nature.
This will be lost with a restaurant half a stones throw away.
Maybe lovely for tourists but I think locals go there for a different experience, there are restaurants a plenty in Byron, Bangalow, Brunz and Mullum.
Is there nothing that is not open to development these days ? In my book this will be another loss and not another gain.
After just reading this article, I was curious, after now living in Byron 5 years I’d many times passed this lockout. Your mention it’s called Scarrabelotti Lookout, I’d never heard before.
After googling this amazing family, I’m amazed I’d heard personally no reference in my time here. Love to know more about this amazing family. And perhaps what their intention was to council in donation of the land.
Seems if it’s owned by Council it’s community land. A natural reserve with picnic areas seems more justified than a restaurant.
My thoughts.
I wonder what the Scarabelotti family has to say about this.
The lookout is notoriously neglected and degenerate – used for illegal camping and beyond Council resources to maintain adequately. A restuarant next door that cares for the lookout would be a win win!. I would love to lunch there occasionally (hopefully not too expensive) and see that lookout upgraded/landscaped. Even a takeaway coffee (a la Beach kiosk) would be pretty cool, taking in the view. I would suggest that the conditions of approval included regular cleanups of the lookout ….not a big ask from a resource-stretched Council. I imagine there is some employment opportunities there too. Who knows it could even include a sculptural marker from a local artist on site!!
I wonder what the Scarabelotti Family has to say about it. It is indeed a beautiful place and spectacular view.
The lookout is notoriously degenerate and neglected, beyond Council resources to adequately maintain…. the scene of illegal camping and trashing etc. A restaurant that upgraded and cared for the adjoining lookout would be a win win.
I would like to dine there occasionally with visiting friends or family. I imagine there is a few jobs in the making as well as the upgrade. I suggest some sort of lookout maintenance requirement added to the consent conditions. Who knows – we could even commission a local artist to produce a sculptural marker for the site.
what happened to the good ol’ picnic blanket, cut sandwiches and a thermos!
Moratorium on development in Byron Shire. NO more development
The proposed ‘works’ will create serious traffic hazards with vehicle accidents almost assured.
Once the monstrosity is in place, ingress and egress of traffic, plus all the new sightseers slowing down looking for a park, will create serious traffic hazards with vehicle accidents almost assured.
A full traffic assessment study should be paid for by the proposed developers at their own expense and submitted before any further discussion takes place
I urge everyone opposing this TERRIBLE idea to insist this point in their opposition – where’s the traffic study? Who will be liable for the accidents? Wil the developer personally pledge their name to be liable for any accidents?
Leave this public spot for community, after all it was kindly gifted to us by the Scarabolettis many years ago. Yes it has been neglected at times, misused by some, but loved by many. An undeveloped lookout that is still free of naughty illegal overnight campers most nights, and somebody has even left vege and herb gardens for visitors to enjoy. I wish it was looked after a bit more but I would rather have it in it’s neglected state where I can quietly enjoy the amazing view, than have a busy restaurant environment lit up with bright lights. Why does this proposed commercial development have to use a public asset to get up?