A large not-for-profit laundry enterprise that will provide employment for disadvantaged community members across the Northern Rivers has been given a major boost, with Byron Council agreeing to waive $800,000 in developer contribution fees.
Located on the outskirts of Bangalow, the Beacon Laundry says their operation will not only provide jobs for people who have been dealt a difficult hand, but also ensure that the hospitality industry can do more of its laundry locally.
Currently, much of the laundry created by this industry is trucked to Coffs Harbour or Queensland for cleaning.
With the operation due to open its doors early in the new year, the organisation behind the charity, White Box Enterprises, came cap in hand to Council last month asking for a waiver of its sewer contribution fees.
Given the size of the operation, the laundry will place a significant additional burden on the Bangalow Sewage Treatment Plant, using 11 per cent of that facility’s spare capacity.
This level of use would normally incur a $1,050,183 developer contribution fee.
White Box Enterprises requested that this fee be waived in its entirety.
Byron Council’s by-laws state that it may waive developer contributions where the proponent is a non-profit and charitable organisation and is considered to be making a significant and positive contribution to the community.
Council ultimately agreed to waive roughly 80 per cent of the fee, with Beacon required to pay off the remaining $200,000 over the next 10 years.
‘This will provide significant support for people who really need it in our community,’ said Labor councillor Asren Pugh, who moved the motion in relation to the fee waiver.
‘This will help people who want to work, who want support, who want housing.’
But Independent councillor Peter Westheimer said it was unreasonable to provide one social enterprise with such a large waiver when so many others needed support.
‘How this Council can justify giving this social enterprise an $800,000 discount when there are so many other things that need doing in this Shire completely defies logic and it defies responsible financial management,’ Cr Westheimer said.
‘There’s no way that this Beacon Laundry deserves an $800,000 gift from Council compared to so many other causes which Council is required to look at and are needed in this community.’
‘This is a feel-good decision. It’s related to the upcoming local elections.
But Cr Westheimer’s arguments did not convince other councillors, all of whom ultimately voted in favour of the fee waiver following extended debate.
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