Greens Cr Elia Hauge has put a motion for the upcoming Council meeting asking staff to inform the public with the legal advice around enforcement action on unauthorised dwellings.

Random audits are one of the measures executive Council staff are looking at around what they say is an increase in unauthorised development.

The NSW Land & Environment Court has upheld Byron Council’s decision to order a local landowner to stop renting out a 40-year-old rural cabin in Middle Pocket because it was an unapproved dwelling.

We love to receive letters, but not every letter will be published; the publication of letters is at the discretion of the online and print letters editors.

With Council extending public submissions  by one week for landowners to respond to the draft Unauthorised Dwelling Policy, resident groups appear to be divided on the issue.

With Council’s draft Unauthorised Dwelling Policy causing alarm and stress within the hinterland community, the Main Arm Residents Association (MARRA) have authored a guide to help residents lodge a submission. But remember this policy also applies to urban areas.

Further to Council’s aggressive plans to pursue unauthorised development in the Shire’s hinterland, The Echo spoke to Professor John Sheehan, a leading expert on property rights, who explained the issues that both Council and landowners face with regards to development and compliance.

Residents in Main Arm are shocked after Byron Shire Council staff sent out letters accusing property owners of having unauthorised development on their land while there is both a moratorium in place and an unauthorised dwelling policy currently on public exhibition.

The Byron Shire and the Northern Rivers are well known for their abundent range of illegal dwellings, additions, and converted garages.

Byron Council’s plan to provide the owners of unauthorised dwellings with an avenue to seek approval has proceeded to the next stage, with councillors dismissing a number of amendments requested by a community group.