The Bangalow Arts precinct, located opposite the A&I Hall at 6-10 Station Street, is slated for a complete overhaul, with a DA now on exhibition from developer CADRE.
Extensive DA documents available on Council’s website propose ‘mixed use development, comprising of commercial premises and hotel or motel accommodation [26 hotel apartments], on three levels, with two levels of basement car parking’.
According to the quantity surveyor’s report, the $14.1M proposal would have a building footprint of 2,117.4m2.
One of the affected businesses is the artist collective, Hammer & Hand.
Bruce Pringle from the collective told The Echo he personally was supportive of the redevelopment, and that consultation with developer Chris Tyas was positive.
Pringle’s main concerns were whether they will be able to afford to rent after the redevelopment, the disruption to his collective, and finding an interim shopfront/workshop.
He added he knew of others not so supportive of the redevelopment.
Engagement report
According to the developer’s community engagement report, a pre-lodgement engagement process was instigated, ‘by far in excess of Council’s pre-lodgement engagement requirements.’
Design feedback has been incorporated, says the report. Public feedback also included a call to increase access to sunlight, activation of the rail corridor, maintaining a focus on artists, and more parking.
Other significant changes include proposing 26 motel rooms instead of seven townhouses.
The report says, ‘This change came about due to:
‘– Potential technical constraints around acoustics in having permanent residential living within the precinct.
‘– Feedback.
‘– A study of available motel/regulated short term accommodation with the Bangalow town centre.
‘– The stated desire by many in the Byron Shire to limit Airbnb/unregulated STHL of homes in residential areas.
‘– The desire to support the extensive A&I Hall event program with accommodation for visitors’.
Melbourne-based CADRE, ‘have significant property interests in the Ballina and Byron Shires’, says the report, with the founding director [Chris Tyas] spending much of his time in the Byron Shire’.
A website for the development is at https://6-10stationstreet.com.au and the DA is available on Council’s website DA tracker.
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