The community, through Mullumbimby Residents Association (MRA), has shown itself and Byron Shire Council (BSC) that it is well informed in terms of integration of proposed developments into an existing town.
This is surely a commendable characteristic in ensuring any development meets the requirements of the community.
In the case of the proposed redevelopment of 57 Station Street in Mullumbimby, the community was not involved early enough.
As a result, a site was chosen that is highly unsuitable for redevelopment.
The main reasons for this are the huge negative impact of traffic generated during construction and afterwards, and the loss of already inadequate parking in the town centre, as well as the public toilets. Raising the extreme flood level above the existing level, and the appearance of the proposed building in Mullumbimby are also issues.
No matter how much has been spent so far, this development should not proceed on this site under any circumstances due to the substantial negative impacts detailed above, some of which will be felt in perpetuity. If the community had been involved earlier in any meaningful way, the project costs to date would have been much smaller.
MRA, in addition to criticising the suitability of 57 Station Street, did at least suggest other sites as being far more appropriate for affordable accommodation.
A further issue expressed by the community is that the proposed development is not required to cover the cost of relocating the car parks lost and the toilet block. It would appear that these are assumed to be financed from rates.
This is clearly not acceptable to the ratepayers. All headworks charges should be financed by the project.
In summary, the MRA should be commended on the expertise brought to bear in the reviews of the draft DA and to their dedication through the love of their town.
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