Monday’s ‘meet the candidates’ event at the Byron Theatre saw a full house, with Council aspirants for the September 14 election well supported by their supporters.
Questions from the community included how to increase services for local Aboriginal people, giving youth a platform, improving public transport, animal welfare and providing a space for LGBQTIA-plus people.
The issue of electric bicycles posing a danger to the public was also discussed.
Short-term rental accom
The question of how to enforce the new short-term rental accommodation (STRA) regulations, which are about to come into effect, was also canvassed. Candidate Lucy Vader joked she would inspect every home with her pet dog, and added that the laws are not stringent enough and too punitive in some areas.
Most candidates agreed enforcement will be an issue, given Council’s cash-strapped finances.
Cr Lyon warned that the powerful Airbnb lobby are planning to undermine the new regulations and want to push for a national code.
Cr Ndiaye invited the community to be a part of the solution, while David Warth said he had an affordable housing plan for a rural residential park.
Floodplain development
Asked whether candidates would oppose floodplain development and add the 2022 flood data into planning instruments, all candidates agreed. David Warth added that the Shire is no better prepared for the next big event.
‘I was in South Golden Beach recently, and nothing has been done, except spending enormous funds on consultant fees’, he said.
Cr Lyon supported updating the data, adding that the state government leads such projects.
Cr Ndiaye deferred to her fellow candidate and flood engineer, Elia Hauge, who said that all Council’s climate modelling needs updating.
Housing
As for developing on Council-owned land, Jack Dods said while he wanted to retain ownership of the Mullum Hospital land, he conceded that Council will need to partner with a developer unless the NSW government steps in.
Cr Lyon went further, claiming that he will sell half of the valuable land to pay for the land’s $5m remediation debt. Cr Pugh agreed Council has no expertise in building houses, and wanted to tap into the NSW government’s $5b social housing fund and $100m fund for innovative solutions for homelessness.
Cr Ndiaye wants to retain all public land as much as possible, but said that an expression of interest process can specify which developer Council partners with.
Lucy Vader made the point that any development needs to be underpinned by infrastructure, something which she is not sure is in good condition.
Biz support, or lack of
With Lawson Street businesses claiming they will be forced to close if planned road/drainage works proceed during the busy spring and summer trading period, candidates predictably expressed concern.
Byron Chamber president, Matt Williamson, asked how councillors can improve processes and communications around such important decisions.
David Warth said as a commercial landlord, he lost a tenant after Council road works prevented them from trading.
‘There was no parking, and then no trade for three months.’
‘This needs better timing’, he said.
Cr Ndiaye added that she supports DAs being published again in The Echo, and committed to a regular podcast or similar to get the word out.
‘In recent times, the conversation (from Council) has narrowed’, she said.
Cr Lyon supported the works, saying it was essential. He added that Byron needs promotion.
‘Noosa is doing well, having crafted their brand’, he said. Night works are being considered, he added.
Cr Pugh said it was a failure of notification and more consultation should have occurred.
‘It’s about the mayor stepping up’, he said.
Byron’s Main Beach
All candidates agreed that plans put forward by Council staff around the future of Byron’s Main Beach and a multi-storey carpark behind the pool needs to be put on pause. It emerged that public feedback was the largest ever, with around 800 comments received. Jack Dods said the feedback was roughly split in half around whether the carpark should remain. ‘We don’t need a carpark in the most beautiful part of Australia’, he said. Cr Pugh said we can ‘find carparks in other parts of town’, adding ‘we wouldn’t design it like this if we started from scratch’.
For more info on candidates, visit www.echo.net.au.
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