Ballina councillors will soon be making a decision about what’s going to happen to the old Cedars Caravan Park on the corner of River Street and Barlows Road, with developers planning a mixed precinct.
The DA notice near the driveway only relates to demolishing what’s there now, to make way for an unspecified ‘future development’, but the complete plans for the site can be found via Ballina Council’s DA tracker, here.
Interstate developer CADRE says it is seeking consent ‘to build a mixed use development incorporating business premises, food and drink premises, industrial retail outlets, light industries, office premises and shop top housing’ on the site, which is very close to Fishery Creek.
The proposal includes significant earthworks to protect the buildings from flood (and likely worsen flood impacts on neighbours), and is not particularly high density, so it won’t do much to affect Ballina’s housing crisis, though it will include 44 ‘live-work’ units, following the recent trend set by the latest approved development near the shopping centre at Epiq.
Won’t be cheap
The old caravan park was once a place where Ballina’s lower income earners could find accommodation, but has fallen into disrepair since it was closed, becoming something of an eyesore for locals and visitors to Ballina coming in from the south.
With Barlows Road set to be extended right through to the airport in coming years, this site near the roundabout will become increasingly central.
The area is also going to become busier, with 142 car spaces planned for this new development, which includes light industrial spaces and offices as well as residential areas, going up to three storeys.
There will also be a common food and drink area, and some open green spaces.
The construction budget for the new development (not including demolition and site preparation) has been estimated at $25 million.
The DA is expected to come before Ballina Shire Council later this month.
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