The development application (DA 10.2025.212.1) for the carpark at 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby is now back on exhibition for eight weeks from 22 June.
In the covering letter Landcom have stated that, ‘There is no material difference to the description of the development.’
It said, ‘We believe that the amended application addressed Council’s concerns such that the application can be supported and recommended for approval to the Northern Regional Planning Panel’.
Overwhelming majority against DA
Following the previous lodgement of the DA for the site Byron Council received 749 submissions with the vast majority against the development. The Echo’s estimate is that there were around 743 against and six in favour. They also received a further 2,400+ signature petition against the development. There were several public meetings voicing community concern and opposition to the development at that site.
The community also identified significant faults with the DA that was submitted, not least its failure to identify, and in fact proposal to build over, a key sewer line that ran through the site. The DA did not facilitate essential access from the site for businesses on Burringbar Street, including The Other Joint and Pink Lotus, and had the potential to close down IGA due to the building’s impacts on deliveries in the narrow McGoughans Lane.
While councillors are regularly pointing out the increasing costs of trades, materials, and services, there has been no update to the estimated cost of $16.5 million for the project. A spokesperson for Council told The Echo that, ‘There is no requirement for the estimated cost to be revised as Council cannot reconsider the DA fees in instances like this.’
DA changes
Key changes include a boarding house on the lower level and the removal of one commercial premise and the reduction of units from 32 to 28.
The Mullumbimby Residents Association (MRA) has estimated there are 15 car spaces, two which will be reserved for Council, and four for commercial premises which leaves around 13 for the remaining 28 units and the boarding house.
A pathway has been allocated along the southern boundary, over the sewer line, to provide rear access to shops, though the MRA have questioned how they calculated 3.69m which they point out should be a minimum of 4.15m.
A Council spokesperson told The Echo that there is a 3m setback to upper levels, however, the MRA have pointed out that ‘the scale and height of the previous plans have not been substantively altered and there is no material difference to the description of the development’.
Parking
Council have said that while the carpark will be lost they have ‘always maintained that there will be parking improvements near the railway line behind the Council building, as well as on the corner of Arygle and Prince Street prior to the start of the development at 57 Station Street. This includes the provision of new public toilets. In the 2026/27 budget there is funding for a parking study for Mullumbimby which will identify future public parking sites.’
Key questions are how will parking be ‘improved’? How much will that cost and where will the money come from to facilitate the new carparks and toilets? Council has so far not answered these questions.
To find out more and respond to the modified DA go to: https://datracker.byron.nsw.gov.au.
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