Is the role of mayor Michael Lyon as a negotiator with Wallum developers, Clarence Property, compromised?
With talks with the developer yet to yield any result, Cr Lyon’s recent press release claims that his proposal would facilitate better outcomes, such as a reduced footprint by one hectare, ‘all the mature scribbly gums in the eastern section saved’, as well as smaller lot sizes for ‘singles, couples and empty-nesters’.
The mayor was criticised by Save Wallum campaigners for not including them in negotiations and for not pushing for a better outcome.
And while Cr Lyon claims the developer wouldn’t talk to them, Save Wallum representative James Barrie told The Echo there has been discussions between the group and developer.
Cr Lyon recently posted on Facebook’s Byron Bay Community Board that with Wallum lots now selling for $700,000, ‘you could get a house and land for a tick over a million’.
He says that if his compromise with the developers ‘gets up’, with smaller lot sizes being made available, he says, ‘then the price point for a house and lot could be around $850,000. That is way under the current median house price in Bruns, in the Shire, and is comparable to Ocean Shores’ worst lots’.
The Echo offered Cr Lyon comment, and said, ‘The compromise position reduces the overall footprint by one hectare from what has been approved. It saves 1.8 hectares of higher value habitat, and sacrifices 0.8 hectares of lower value habitat. There is a net saving, so it is not at the expense, overall there is a saving. (Not rocket science, when personal bias is removed).
He continued, ‘I did not spruik the sale of lots. I responded to a comment from someone online that the lots would end up as $2million each and [would] end up on Airbnb, by pointing out that under the current DA-approved plans, the 450sqm lots are selling for $700k, with a modest house build of $350k, it would be $1.05 million. Under the compromise plan, a 250sqm lot would be worth $500k, with a house it would be $850k. (but you know this, you would have read the entire thread, again, you are just trying to do me political damage in any way you can, because of your personal bias)’.
‘I am not compromised in the slightest. My only interest in Clarence is trying to get them to reduce the footprint and improve the housing and biodiversity outcomes’.
‘It is also worth noting that there are four larger medium density lots on the compromised footprint. These would be eligible for funding application under the HAFF which could see a much better and more affordable outcome than the market solution outlined above’.
Narrow vote
Cr Lyon used his casting vote to give the developer the works certificate approval for Wallum at the February 8 Council meeting. The narrow vote included supporting councillors Mark Swivel, Asren Pugh and Alan Hunter.
An alternative motion, that would have likely led to court, was supported by Crs Coorey, Ndiaye, Dey and Westheimer. Cr Balson abstained from the vote.
That extensive motion noted errors in the amended plans, and a failure to comply with conditions of consent.
Throughout, Cr Lyon, along with Cr Swivel and Pugh, have argued with locals on social media, claiming they were unable to prevent the development, given it was approved by the Regional Planning Panel.
After what became personal and aggressive social media posts, both Cr Lyon and Swivel said they would refrain from making online comments on the matter.
A clause in the mayor’s February 8 motion stipulated that he would negotiate with the developer after giving them the certificate.
Yet critics of the mayor, such as Cr Dey, say that the time to negotiate was before providing the works certificate, not after.
Dey said, ‘When the mayor got Clarence’s defective Vegetation Management Plan approved with his casting vote, and thus triggered the Works Certificate, he was chafing at the bit to become the negotiator, i.e. the deal broker’.
‘But he hasn’t brokered anything – he hasn’t talked to the environmental protectors. His talk to councillors on March 28 assumed we would then negotiate a halt to the blockade.
‘Sorry mayor, I listen and respond to the protectors – I don’t run them. If Clarence Property want to negotiate, they should lodge an amended DA.’
I think the current mayor is continuing the role of the last – Smiling Simon . Remember with West Byron Simon said we could have had a much worse outcome ? We also could have had a much better outcome ! The former mayor also used his casting vote to allow Elements resort to develop on the beautiful parklands leading up to the beach , again the mayor said that the outcome could have been a lot worse !
These muppets are taking us all for fools ! which side are they REALLY on , NOT the communities side , NONE of these developments are ever going to be affordable housing , they are just trying to GREEN WASH every DA which comes across the desk , They are a useless gutless morally lost council. GO BACK to bed Michael , you look like you could use the sleep. WHAT really motivated Simon to get a job with the Regional Planning Panel ??????
So who are these people on social media that have greater access to our council reps than the rest of us? So much so that they were able to communicate with Cr Lyon, along with Cr Swivel and Pugh “throughout” all of this? I was not aware 😐
The editor is all over the place with this article. He keeps referring to the February meeting which involved the Mayor’s casting vote as if it was evil.
However, he completely FAILS to mention the next, recent council meeting where the minute about the results of the meetings between The Mayor, Cr Swivell and Coorey had with the developers was passed UNANIMOUSLY ”
That’s correct unanimously, with the GREENS mayoral candidate, Cr Sarah Ndiaye voting in favour !
Sadly, as with his over the top article from the 10th of April, headlined “Mayor’s Wallum negotiations unsupported ” it’s just another sad, unbalanced attack by the Editor on The Mayor with the Council elections due soon.