Community feedback is now sought on three planning documents that will shape the future of Gulgan Village, a new residential suburb proposed on the elevated slopes of Saddle Road.
Byron Shire Council say ‘adjoining Gulgan Road at Brunswick Heads, the 48‑hectare Gulgan Village site sits within the Saddle Road Precinct’.
The proposal is by Gulgan Road Property – the director of the company is Brandon Saul, the developer behind the Habitat precinct in the Byron Industrial estate, and the revamped Fletcher Street Cottage homeless drop-in centre.
The Echo previously reported that the Gulgan Road site was earmarked for housing by the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) following the 2022 flood disaster, and was subsequently included in Council’s Resilient Lands strategy. It was then nominated as a future residential area in Byron Council’s revamped 2024 Residential Lands Strategy.
Council say, ‘The proposal for Gulgan Village includes a diverse mix of housing types like terraces, low-rise apartments and small lots alongside standard housing lots, some services like shops and cafes, and affordable housing to be managed by a Community Housing Provider (CHP)’.
‘The three documents currently on public exhibition until 12 July are the Gulgan Village Planning Proposal, the Draft Development Control Plan (DCP) and a third document called a Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA), which outlines how the developer and Council agree to work together to deliver essential infrastructure and maximise community and environmental outcomes.
‘Council’s Acting Director Sustainable Environment & Economy, Sarah Nagel, encouraged community members to review and comment on what is proposed for the new village.’
Local Environmental Plan (LEP) amendment
‘The Planning Proposal seeks to amend the Local Environmental Plan (LEP) to enable a new residential village of between 400 and 550 homes,’ Ms Nagel said.
‘It also sets out proposed maximum building heights and minimum lot sizes, so this is the community’s opportunity to review the detail and provide any feedback.’
Draft Development Control Plan
Ms Nagel said the Draft Development Control Plan (DCP) provides further guidance on how the village would look and function.
‘The Draft DCP outlines the desired future character of Gulgan Village, including housing mix and layout, landscaping, open space, view corridors, and how the development will incorporate Connecting with Country principles,’ she said.
Council say, ‘The Draft DCP also addresses infrastructure and servicing requirements, including staging of development, road networks and traffic management.’
Voluntary Planning Agreement
‘The third document on public exhibition is a proposed Voluntary Planning Agreement (VPA) which includes several commitments negotiated to date between Council and the developer, including:
- Five percent of the area of developed residential lots to be dedicated to Council for affordable housing.
- Construction of a dual-lane roundabout on Gulgan Road at one entry to the village about 500m from the Pacific Motorway.
- A new intersection at Bashforths Lane.
- Provision of sewerage infrastructure.
- Land to accommodate a future water reservoir.
‘The developer has also entered into a separate agreement with the Bundjalung of Byron Bay (Arakwal) Aboriginal Corporation to provide an additional 5 percent of the area of developed residential lots (or equivalent in constructed housing) to them for affordable housing.
12 July deadline
‘Have your say on the draft Planning Proposal, Development Control Plan and Voluntary Planning Agreement for Gulgan Village at yoursay.byron.nsw.gov.au/gulgan-village until 12 July.
Planning Proposal
Appendices to the Planning Proposal and other background information are available on the NSW Planning Portal.
‘You can also view these documents in hard copy at Council’s Mullumbimby office at 70 Station Street or call Council’s Customer Service Team for assistance on 02 6626 7000’.
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