V-DAY LEAVES LASTING IMPRESSION TWEED COUNCIL DENIES PERMISSION FOR ILLEGAL WORK AND WEDDING VENUE

By J. WILLOW

By J. WILLOW

The V-Day event in Byron Bay was attended by around 115 people, rising in solidarity to show that violence against women is a global issue and that we must take actions to end it.

The event was organised in light of the tragic death of Lindy Lucena in Ballina, to remind the local community of the work that needs to be done to create safety for women who experience domestic violence. The event also coincides with the Vagina Conversations Fundraiser, held on the 15th and 16th of February, which supports women who are escaping partner and family violence. The event was a powerful reminder of the global efforts being taken to end violence against women and children, and the efforts made to create a world where violence is unthinkable.

The application for the DA for Bellingdale Farm at 47 Hindmarsh Road, Nunderi for work undertaken without consent was refused at the recent Tweed Shire Council planning meeting. The site had an approved ‘restaurant, cafeteria and gallery (craft shop) in existing buildings on the subject site under D88/0153 on 19 April 1988’. The applicants had sought to expand the existing restaurant as well as the site being used as a wedding venue. However, the zoning is RU2 which only allowed the restaurant/café with consent and prohibited function centres.

Before purchasing the property the buyers sought advice from the council on what they could potentially do at the site. However, since 2020 when the site was taken over by new owners there have been works without consent, which has resulted in noise complaints. Council staff pointed out that, ‘Prior to the purchase of the property in 2019, Council officers provided detailed advice to the applicants, highlighting the need to reconcile any new use of the existing site and buildings within the terms of these historical approvals, or seek relevant modified approvals to respond to any variance in business operations’.

The report to the council meeting highlighted key issues with the DA, including: concern over previous work that was done without consent and was non-compliant, failure to address noise assessment adequately, deficiencies with the Onsite Sewage Management, concerns over water management, failure to demonstrate road access and driveway are adequate, and limited ecological assessment information. Essential Energy also ‘raised some concerns in relation to safety given the limited information shown on the plans’.

Mayor Chris Cherry (Independent) commented that there ‘seem to be too many inconsistencies and issues that have been raised within the report to be able to address this in terms of further information or amended plans’. The application was refused by the majority of councillors with only conservative councillor Warren Polglase voting in favour.