In the Byron Shire Council meeting (24/4/2025) the democratic rights of the resident group Mullumbimby Residents Association (MRA) were questioned. Cr Pugh requested the MRA opposition to the proposed housing development on the CBD carpark at 57 Station Street be withdrawn. He went as far as to request for BSC to lobby state MP Tamara Smith to withdraw her support of the e-petition to the NSW Legislative Assembly she is sponsoring on behalf of MRA.
During the meeting Cr Dods posed the question regarding the alternative site at 70 Station Street (BSC carpark) put forward by MRA. He asked ‘would MRA be comfortable in delaying the affordable housing project another five years if a new site was accepted over the one supported by Council?’
He claimed the planning that has taken place for 57 Station Street has been extensive and would have to be repeated for a new site. My response to this is that MRA would not be responsible for ‘wasting another five years’. It is Council that would have wasted so much time by supporting a site that is so problematic, and having so many seemingly insurmountable issues.
I will be astonished if the DA for 57 Station Street is approved. And, yes, MRA would accept a further delay if the final housing development ends up providing more genuinely affordable housing in a way that is acceptable to residents, planning regulations, and with minimum disruption to our town.
For 57 Station Street to meet those requirements is a long shot. One can envisage some of the issues such as major disruption while under construction, problematic ongoing traffic flow issues due to narrowness of McGoughans Lane, adverse effects on surrounding businesses through reduced parking facilities and an increased flooding risk owing to fill being required. If a further delay is encountered it is Council, not MRA, that will be responsible.
Steve Bellerby, Mullumbimby
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