It was once the largest piggery in the southern hemisphere – a sprawling operation covering 33 acres.
Now, the former Yager’s piggery looks set to host an exclusive high-end restaurant and an artisan food and drink business to cater for Byron’s changing tastes.
The proposed $22.2 million redevelopment is currently on public exhibition, with locals invited to comment via the Byron Council website before May 1.
Located at 103 Yagers Lane, the ‘Garden House’ proposal includes significant building works, car parking, earthworks, retaining walls, landscaping, wastewater disposal, public art, solar panels, and vegetation management works.
The restaurant would reuse part of the former piggery building and have a maximum capacity for 60 people. It is described as being ‘a journey of the senses.’
‘Exteriors in timber, steel, glass and repurposed concrete from the existing pig sheds will connect to the site’s history,’ the description states.
‘Interiors will house a meticulous curation of artisan ceramics, glass and utensils. The menu will celebrate seasonal abundance, with natives and locally grown foods playing a starring role.’
The nearby artisan food industry area will include two separate, newly-constructed buildings that will be used for the manufacture of food products, primarily for sale online.
The proponent, listed as Maggie Schreiber, has included 52 submissions from the public in the development application – all of them supporting the proposal.
However, not everyone is in favour of the plan.
During consultation with the local community that occurred prior to the lodgement of the DA, some locals expressed concern about the impact of traffic on the surrounding road network.
The developer says that it amended its plans in response to this feedback, deleting plans for a roadside stall, capping the number of patrons who can attend the artisan food industry area, and requiring that they must first make a booking.
Attendance at the restaurant will also be by booking only. The project’s biodiversity assessment asserts that there will not be any adverse impacts on significant flora or fauna species. DA 10.2024.24.1 can be found at www.byron.nsw.gov.au.
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