Developers Dr Stanley Quek and Adam Garrisson (Multiplicity Byron Bay Pty Ltd) are proposing a mixed commercial residential complex in Byron’s CBD, located next to the old Woolies building.
Located at 90-96 Jonson Street, Byron Bay, the proposal comprises a central piazza, 54 apartments of different sizes/bedrooms and retail shops. If approved, it would mean the shops in the North Byron Plaza would need to vacate, and the existing car parking would be relocated. Businesses impacted include Woody’s Surf Shack, The Cellar, Byron Camping and Disposals and O Sushi, among others.
According to the details supplied by the developer’s consultant planners, the proposal sits on 5,390m2 and is aimed at those ‘seeking to downsize and those wishing to live within the township of Byron Bay’.
As for holiday letting, the proponents say on their online Q&A: ‘The proposal is for residential accommodation. Should the owners of the individual apartments wish to holiday let their apartments they will be required to comply with the relevant State and Council requirements’.
Many details are yet to be presented, or will be ‘determined through the development process and stakeholder consultation’.
These include the final number of tenancies and size of the apartments.
As for potential increased traffic congestion, the proponents say, ‘The potential traffic generation of the development is being reviewed by our traffic consultants to ensure that the development does not significantly contribute to existing traffic issues within the town centre. Their report will form part of the Development Application’.
Basement parking for ‘approximately 173 vehicles’ is planned.
Additionally, a ‘Social Impact Assessment is being undertaken which will assess any social impact of the proposal. This will be submitted to Council with the Development Application’.
A pre-lodgement community consultation process is now underway, and ends Monday February 22.
To make an appointment please email: [email protected] or visit www.plannersnorth.com.au/portfolio/90-96jonsonstreet.
Mercato loses against Council in court
Meanwhile, Gold Coast developer Robert Badalotti, owner of the former Woolies building, located next door, is reportedly selling up, despite having lodged an enormous mixed commercial-residential DA.
It comes as Mr Badalotti lost against Council in a court case last year concerning his Mercato shopping centre, located just south of the former Woolies site : Mercato on Byron Pty Ltd v Byron Shire Council [2020] NSWLEC 1524.
Mercato’s application to build a roundabout, instead of undertaking works for the shopping centre entry, was refused by Commissioner Chilcott in the Land & Environment Court on October 30, 2020.
According to the judgement regarding DA 10.2013.587.5: ‘The owner of the shopping centre, Mercato on Byron Pty Ltd (the Applicant), has appealed the refusal by Byron Shire Council (the Respondent) of its further, fifth, application, made under s 4.55(2) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act), to modify the conditions of consent imposed on the construction of its shopping centre. This most recent modification application seeks to amend parts of Condition 23 of the grant of consent for the shopping centre.
Condition 23 ‘concerned works within the road reserve that fronts the Subject Site’.
Nightmarish.