BYRON COUNCIL REASURES STATE GOVERNMENT IT CAN MEET HOUSING TARGETS

By Sarah Waters

Byron Mayor Michael Lyon says the Shire is not anti-development and Council is ‘completely committed’ to delivering more houses for its residents.

The NSW Department of Planning recently sent a letter to Council regarding its requirements to address the Independent Planning Commission

(IPC) Advice Report on Short Term Rental Accommodation in relation to housing supply.

Council are still trying to work out how it will implement 12 recommendations from the IPC’s report to deliver more housing as part of its residential strategy.

Mr Lyon said the NSW Planning Department thought Council was fnding it ‘challenging’ to identify ways to arrest the scale of the housing crisis facing the region. to deliver the housing required,” Mr Lyon said.

“It goes without saying that we can’t do it on

Council had planned for 5825 dwellings by 2041 - 1303 more than what it was required to achieve. Where, and when, housing developments will be made in the Shire will be discussed at a meeting next month.

“I think there has been some misconceptions around Byron Shire Council due to a reputation in the past for being anti-development,” he said.

“We will be reassuring them that - on the contrary - we have identifed many different ways and pathways

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“We look forward to working closely with the Department of Planning on unlocking barriers and achieving the housing goals we’re all aligned to achieve,” he said.

The North Coast Regional Plan (NCRP) has set a target of 4522 dwellings to be delivered in the Byron Shire over the next 20 years.

During Council’s planning meeting on August 10 Mr Lyon said

Council promised ‘thorough’ community consultations will be held over the next six months to keep residents informed.

Planning staff pointed out Council had always met, and will continue to meet or exceed, the implied dwelling targets required under the North Coast Regional Plan.

Mr Lyon said The Department of Planning had a right to ensure local governments hit their housing targets, especially in light of the housing crisis and the recent impacts of the natural disasters.

“I believe our community is accepting of the need for more housing, but it is important that we go on this journey together over the coming months as we fnalise the residential strategy, and that all areas of the Shire do their part in the provision of housing.”

Byron’s housing supply issues have been attributed to the lack of affordable and available rental properties, food impacts, a high proportion of nonhosted short term rental accommodation, building height and density controls and shortfalls in developable hinterland.