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 at 90-96 Jonson Street, Byron Bay.
The proposal comprises a central piazza, 54 apartments of different sizes/numbers of 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 underground.
Businesses affected include The Cellar, Legend Pizza, Byron Camping and Disposals, Woody’s Surf Shack 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 in 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’.
Details to come
Many details are yet to be presented, or ‘determined through the development process and stakeholder consultation’.
These include the final number of tenancies and size of the apartments.
As for potentially 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’.
‘This will be submitted to Council with the Development Application’.
Pre-lodgement
A pre-lodgement community consultation process ended Monday, February 22.
Contact details for the proposal are: [email protected] or visit Planners North.
Meanwhile, the owners of the former Woolies building, located next door, are reportedly selling up, despite having lodged an enormous mixed commercial-residential DA.
Mercato vs Council
The latest mega development proposal comes as the Gold Coast developer, Robert Badalotti, lost against Council a court case last year regarding changes of consent to his 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 20, 2020.
According to the judgment 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’.
Backpackers sold
The backpacker hostel adjacent to the Mercato complex has reportedly sold to a Sydney-based developer for $18.55m. According to The Australian Financial Review, developer Podia plan to redevelop the 4282m2 site.
Head of development at Podia, Michael Grassi told AFR, ‘There’s an affordability crisis for locals, and hopefully whatever we do with the site will alleviate some of that pressure’.
Many older Byronian tears have been flowing for years, but this “development” will surely test the tear-ducts.
We’re a prime example of crass money making ideas, at the expense and loss of natural charm and beauty, the original lures.
Like gigantic wasps, stinging the will to live, out of their victims.
No problem!
Unless you reside, or prove you work, or have min 2 nights accomm, you cannot drive into Byron.
West Byron becomes a car park/ bus terminal and battery powered busses funded by bed tax, operate on a circular route(s) for free.
Developers must be made to contribute to this plan.
This way the traffic issues are solved and Byron becomes a leading light in how a small town can “develop” sustainably.
All developers care about is money. Wherever they get permission to wreck villages, towns and landscapes, they call it progress. I don’t think so. It’s purely profit for the developers while the locals are the losers.
don’t buy property live in a van is what I say – preferably a 4×4 camper so you can live in beautiful natural settings free of charge.