All local business owners contacted by The Echo say they will be adversely affected by plans by Council and NSW government agencies to build 32 tightly-packed ‘affordable’ units over a busy car park near the entrance of Mullumbimby.
Yet Byron Shire Mayor, Sarah Ndiaye (Greens), is standing by the controversial plans, which were concocted behind closed doors under former mayor Michael Lyon.
There are a myriad of issues that are yet to be assessed, including traffic and flooding, along with impacts on neighbouring buildings and an apparent inconsistency with the town’s masterplan.
Led by Council and NSW government agencies, the estimated $10m project will only be achievable with taxpayer funds.
The Echo asked Mayor Ndaiye if she was still supportive of this project and ‘when can the public expect the alternative car park plans to be presented?
She replied, ‘While I understand there are concerns, I do support the concept for the Station Street development, as I believe it is a necessary step in addressing our ongoing housing crisis’.
‘Council is doing what it can to meet the growing demand for diverse and affordable housing, and the development at Station Street is one of the options that gained momentum after being presented to the NSW Department of Planning’.
Image joinin.landcom.nsw.gov.au/mullumbimby
Relocated parking
‘In terms of parking, Council has previously assured the community that a new public car park will be built 100 metres away at the corner of Argyle Street and Prince Street, with at least the same number of spaces as the existing car park.
‘Once the new car park is open, the current car park at Station Street will close to make way for the development.
‘Council has now received its first licence from Transport for NSW to develop a portion of the rail corridor land for car parking.
‘This licence includes two key areas: the corner of Argyle Street and Prince Street, and land north of the Woolworths site in Station Street. When fully developed, these areas will provide more parking spaces than the current 57 Station Street car park.
Concept parking plans underway
‘Staff are working on concept plans for these car parks, with an expected completion time line for plans by the first-quarter of 2025, and construction to begin in the third-quarter of 2025, subject to necessary approvals.
‘A second licence is also being considered for the remainder of the rail corridor land, excluding the temporary housing village.
‘This larger licence will enable the development of additional car parking for the town centre, as well as new community open space and amenities.
‘Once this second licence is issued, further planning will take place, in line with the Mullumbimby Masterplan.
‘It’s important to note that the development application for 57 Station Street is a Council-led project with a value over $5 million, making it “regionally significant”.
‘As such, it will be determined by the Northern Regional Planning Panel.
‘I hope there’s room for further changes as the planning process progresses, but I believe the overall direction is a positive one for the community’.
As for why no Council representatives were present at the two recent Landcom community info sessions at the Ex-Services Club, Cr Ndiaye replied, ‘I would have loved to have gone, but I had prior engagements booked for both of the sessions’.
‘I wasn’t aware no other councillors attended… We are all very interested in the project and the community engagement, but sometimes it’s just not possible to be at everything’.
Biz not contacted
All business owners and commercial landowners told The Echo they were not contacted by Council or Landcom. They all shared similar concerns around its location, traffic impacts, bulk and scale, and flooding.
IGA supermarket
If approved, one of the most-impacted businesses is likely to be the IGA supermarket, which relies on the laneway for truck deliveries throughout the day.
Owner/manager Dino told The Echo, ‘it’s nuts!’
‘This takes out all the parking, and there’s not enough as it is. It will not only affect all my deliveries, but deliveries and parking for the pharmacy and butcher. This will increase congestion, which will be further pushed out onto Burringbar Street’.
The Other Joint, Pink Lotus
James Stewart told The Echo he is working on behalf of the tenants and the family who own the buildings of two local businesses who will be impacted.
He said Landcom had not approached him around the project and he is against it.
‘The principal points of opposition from the perspective of the tenants at The Other Joint and Pink Lotus is largely around their established access and utilities.
‘Gas deliveries, grease-trap pumping, food and beverage deliveries all must come through the rear of the building, as their impact on Burringbar Street would be significant.
‘Besides this, the reduced parking would impact them greatly, and a long major construction would affect their trade.
‘Eva, from The Other Joint, is very concerned about this, after having battled through difficult Covid times.’
Former Poinciana cafe
Brenden Lawless owns the former Poinciana Cafe site next door.
He told The Echo, ‘This plan would permanently change the site, its future is very concerning to me’.
‘It would lose the connection to the car parking and importantly the other businesses.
‘I love the site and have had only a few enquiries to rent it over the last few months and all mentioned this issue. I have to look at alternate options as it is not ideal to sit vacant.
‘I think it is a very well-intended project that would help with housing, however in the wrong location.
‘You could build this project elsewhere, you can’t build those very central car parks and central public toilet amenities just anywhere’.
Little Lane Dental
Dr Stephen McGaughran owns the building and operates his practice at Little Lane Dental.
He told The Echo, ‘This would enclose the area and reduce the open space.
‘I am concerned around the traffic impacts – there is a problem already with not enough spaces’.
‘Is this the density of housing Mullum needs?’ he asked.
Michael Collis
Similarly, Chinese herbal medicine practitioner, Michael Collis, operates his acupuncture practice at 2/70 Burringbar Street, next to the former NAB building.
He told The Echo he has been at his current location for 14 years and says he will have to leave if construction goes ahead.
‘The car parking and traffic impacts are unknown’, he says. ‘This is just not common sense’.
He added his business was impacted by the 2022 floods.
Madam Butterfly
Christina from Madam Butterfly, a costume shop that has recently opened in the former NAB building, told The Echo the proposal is too dense and too close to town.
She also questioned where the toilets would be relocated.
‘I direct people there all the time, as it’s the only amenity around’, she said.
John Robinson Accounting
Accountant John Robinson, who owns the building he operates in on Burringbar Street, told The Echo he is opposed to the project.
The Echo is an impacted business from this proposal and believes it is too big and located in the wrong place.
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