The state government is trying to quietly sell off a piece of rail corridor land in the centre of Byron for residential development.
In a Development Application (DA) coming before this week’s Council meeting, the government’s Transport Asset Holding Entity (TAHE) is proposing what is described as a ‘boundary adjustment’ on railway land, located at 14 Kendall Street, Byron Bay.
According to the Council staff report, the government wants to incorporate 261 square metres of highly valuable beachside Belongil land into an adjoining block, so that it can become part of a private residential subdivision.
The application has been initiated by the TAHE, who describe the land in question as being ‘surplus to requirements’. No private developer was mentioned in the report, however TAHE’s DA 10.2022.159.1 was referenced.
However, the land may not be surplus to the requirements of those, including Byron Council, who want to get trains back on the tracks in the Byron Shire. Nevertheless, Byron Council staff make no mention of this issue in their report on the matter, stating that the formal use and management of the area to be acquired will not change. The report also indicates that the matter was only brought to the specific attention of councillors, because the land in question contains a small area of coastal wetland. Staff have recommended that councillors approve the boundary adjustment.
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