Plans to build a light industrial development in the heart of Federal have been given a provisional green light by Byron Shire Council, effectively ending a two-year battle over the proposal.
Known as the ‘Fed Sheds’ development, the $2.8 million project will see the old house – directly opposite Federal Hall and Jasper Corner – replaced with three buildings, housing a total of eight light industrial tenancies.
The two-storey development, which lies within the Federal Village Heritage Conservation Area, would also include 26 parking spaces, two loading docks and its own stormwater and sewage treatment facilities.
The project drew a strong response from those living in and around the quiet village, with 152 people making submissions opposing the plan during the original consultation period, and 64 supporting it.
Council initially refused the developer’s application because the size and bulk and scale of the proposed building was considered out of character with the village.
Measures for managing stormwater and effluent disposal onsite were also considered inadequate.
The developer, Davgav Pty Ltd, challenged the decision in the Land & Environment Court, and the matter was set to proceed to hearing in April 2024. However, during the compulsory conciliation process, a compromise was reached. This saw the developer agree to lower the bulk and scale of the building and amend the rooflines from gables to hipped roofs consistent with other buildings in the town. The stormwater management and onsite sewage management was also amended.
The matter returned to last week’s Byron Council meeting with a recommendation of approval from Council staff, despite strong opposition from residents.
Councillors debated the issue for nearly two hours, with Independent councillor, Mark Swivel, moving that the decision be deferred until February, so that councillors could receive an updated report that addressed the concerns raised during the meeting.
‘We’ve got people who are used to managing or running the small community where they’ve lived for quite some time. You’ve then got new people coming into the area, who want to do different things with their properties.
‘The difficulty is that the masterplanning process somehow did not identify the potential for light industrial development to occur right opposite from the main hall in the village’.
‘So as the masterplanning process came to an end, it came as a surprise when this application came in.’
However, Cr Swivel’s motion did not have the support of the majority of councillors. Councillors ultimately voted to support a motion by Deputy Mayor, Sarah Ndiaye (Greens), which authorised council’s general manager to enter into a conciliation agreement approving the development, subject to conditions.
