Spare a thought for a group of residents whose homes were added to those properties that can operate as tourist accommodation every single day of the year.
Many of them are long-term residents in simple, old Byron cottages. They now have the added traffic of the Butler Street bypass and the tourist bus terminus. Come September they will have even more tourists holidaying in their neighbourhood as most of the shire’s short-term holiday lets will be reduced to 60 days per year.
Adding them to the 365-days-per-year precinct is so unfair. Already they are suffering from too much tourist activity.
Yes Sandra, the Butler Street residents have had a raw deal for a while now and their protests fell on the deaf ears of the previous Greens dominated Council. The same one that pushed steadfastly ahead with the decimation of that historical precinct and destruction of a major habitat of the critically endangered Mitchell rainforest snail.
In response to protests, Tamara Smith made fruitful enquires about the possibility of of an alternative route on the rail corridor. Paul Spooner (Labor) and Cate Coorey (independent) attempted to instigate an investigation but were soundly defeated.
This little episode is an inconvenience to those wanting to pontificate about environmental stewardship but I haven’t forgotten.
I hope the residents get some satisfaction re STHR – it can be a nightmare.
I think you will find that some of the properties allowed to rent 365 days are owned by council staff . and state and or local politicians ,
they did not want to be financially left out , they made sure that beachside properties and some areas of Byron inc, Butler street were still allowed to STR 365 days a year , So the areas that now can only rent 60 days will be forced to put them on the long term rentals ,. at an average of $900 / week rent , will this really solve the rental problem ????
that is defamation and I suggest you remove it
Cate you are on council now . how about explaining why some areas of Byron are allowed to rent 365 days a year, and others only 60 days.
Surely if council was serious about the housing crisis they would make it 60 days for the whole of town.
I note that Ballina council had a meeting last week about putting a cap of Short term rentals ie AIRBNB . 2 of the councillors abstained from voting because they owned holiday units / houses in Lennox .
What would help Byron council is if you were more transparent with the community about some of the decisions that are made that affect the community . You are meant to be representing the community as you did when you where on the BRG association ,. Please don’t start defending council just because you are now part of them.