Destination Byron President, Wendy Bithell, is alerting local restaurants and cafe owners to a Byron Council vote today (Thursday) around changes to car parking requirements that could impact them.
She writes, ‘Council is considering changes to the car parking requirements for restaurants and cafés—changes that would significantly impact outdoor dining across the Shire. The community has an opportunity to provide feedback before Councillors vote this Thursday, 11 December’.
‘Below is a clear overview of the situation and how to have your say.
‘What the current rules are (status quo):
- 1 car park is required for every 20m² of internal dining space.
- Outdoor dining areas on private land or footpaths are currently exempt.
‘What Council staff previously proposed:
- 1 car park per 8 patrons in employment zones; or
- 1 car park per 3 patrons in all other zones.
- This applied to both indoor and outdoor dining, including spaces on private land and footpaths.
‘Feedback received:
‘Council received eight submissions opposing these changes.
‘What Council staff are now recommending:
‘From the staff report: “…retain the 1 space per 20m² of gross floor area but also include 1 space per 20m² of outdoor dining areas not included in the gross floor area calculations. A definition for outdoor dining areas is also recommended to ensure this can be clearly measured and identified on any DA plans for approval.”
‘This means outdoor dining would no longer be exempt – a significant shift from current practice.
‘Suggested feedback to provide to Councillors:
‘Option 1:
- Retain 1 car park per 20m² of internal dining space.
- For outdoor dining, exempt the first 40 patrons, then apply 1 car park per 10 patrons.
‘OR
‘Option 2:
- Exempt the first 20m² of outdoor dining.
- After that, apply 1 car park per 30m² across all zones.
‘Why changes are needed:
- The proposed requirements are prohibitive for most businesses.
- Food and beverage operators are already facing tight margins and staffing challenges.
- The recommendation is anti-business and risks reducing outdoor dining—an important contributor to the social, cultural, and economic life of Byron Shire.
‘How to give your feedback to councillors:
- Register to speak at the Council meeting. You must do this by midday on Wednesday. Speakers get five minutes (in total). Register here:
https://au.openforms.com/Form/620255B5-3837-4A0B-84D3-CC4537B1519D
- The Item number is 13.7.
- The name of the agenda item is: Post Exhibition Submissions Report – Amendments to DCP 2014 Part A Preliminary, and Chapter B4 Traffic Planning, Vehicle Parking, Circulation and Access
- Speakers need to register to speak against the recommendation’.
Email and call Councillors:
Sarah Ndiaye – [email protected] / 0432389353
Jack Dods – [email protected] / 0481141769
Michael Lyon – [email protected] / 0435646365
Delta Kay – [email protected] / 0418384691
Janet Swain – [email protected] / 0438 965397
David Warth – [email protected] / 0429809130
Asren Pugh – [email protected] / 0400959617
Michelle Lowe – [email protected]
Elia Hauge – [email protected] / 0403658890
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