The proposed development at the 57 Station Street carpark has exposed some serious flaws with the public consultation and planning processes of Byron Shire Council.
Back in February at a public meeting organised by the Mullumbimby Residents Association, residents were repeatedly told by some of the councillors present that this was not the time to express concerns about the development; that time would come when the DA was lodged.
Well, the DA was lodged and the development is even worse than we imagined, but now, more than six months after the February meeting, we are told by councillors that it is now too late to challenge the development because it would lead to delays and too much time and money has been invested in getting the project to this stage.
So when is the appropriate time for the public to raise concerns about a development? I’m left with the question: ‘What, in Council’s reasoning, does “public consultation” mean?’
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
