THE BYRON SHIRE Volume 25 #14 Tuesday, September 7, 2010 Mullumbimby 02 6684 1777 Byron Bay 02 6685 5222 Fax 02 6684 1719 editor@echo.net.au adcopy@echo.net.au www.echo.net.au 21,000 copies every week
health& beauty
Government backs down on developer fees Luis Feliu
The state government has caved in to pressure from councils across the state, including the Byron Shire, and lifted its controversial $20,000 cap on developer fees councils could charge per housing lot on greenfield sites. The government has also established a $50 million fund for priority infrastructure projects to help local councils in approving housing developments in growth centres across NSW. Planning Minister Tony Kelly earlier this week made the announcement, describing as ‘fine tuning’ a number of new measures to be introduced ‘on ways to accelerate housing construction and keep downward pressure on house prices’. Tweed Council warned the minister in July that massive housing developments planned on greenfield sites at Cobaki Lakes, Kings Forest and Bilambil Heights would be dra-
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R E S I S T I N G E V E R Y T H I N G E X C E P T T E M P TAT I O N
Mullum’s new tent embassy
matically scaled back if the developercontribution cap was kept at $20,000 per lot as critical infrastructure works for the sites faced a major funding shortfall. Mr Kelly said his announcement ‘recognises that councils in greenfield areas face higher costs in creating well-planned communities.’ ‘While the cap remains at $20,000 for established areas, the Government recognises the particular issues facing growth councils and will increase the development contributions cap to $30,000 in greenfield sites,’ he said. One of the other measures approved by Mr Kelly includes allowing developers to pay above the relevant cap if they agree to do so. Most councils will be unaffected by the new arrangements which come into effect immediately. The NSW Local Government and Shires Association has welcomed the announcement, saying it was ‘relieved’ at the changes.
Shearwater’s fair weather fun Story & photo Eve Jeffery
For anyone driving through Mullumbimby on the weekend, it was hard to miss the new colourful tent and flags that have sprung up in Stan Robinson Park adjacent to the council chambers. One of the spokespersons for the group is indigenous man Kamallie Monsell. Mr Monsell says that the group is gathering to question the Byron Shire Council about the rights of the developers who are doing work on the Woolworths site.
Not consulted Three year old pre-school student Michael thought the most exciting part ‘We are a gathering of original of this year’s fair was a luscious piece of watermelon. Thankfully the drizzle held off for Mullumbimby Shearwater Steiner School Spring Fair, despite the people under the guidance of Uncle Harry Boyd, land holder of this Muloccasional rain clouds. Hundreds gathered to enjoy the entertainment and to fossick through the stalls which included candle making, basket weaving lum Ngarakwal site,’ said Mr Monsell. ‘We have approached the Byron and clay modelling. Photo Eve Jeffery
Shire Council with the local resident in a peaceful manner with our concerns over the work in Station Street. Council didn’t ever consult the original owners about the development. This gathering will be ongoing and everyone is welcome to come and share with us.’ Uncle Harry Boyd who is a resident of the Tweed Shire says that he is one of the traditional caretakers of the site. ‘Why wasn’t I consulted,’ said Uncle Harry. ‘This is Crown land. How come crown land is being leased. Why are they allowed to build on land that is supposed to be for everyone? I would rather see a building for the homeless.’ Both Mr Monsell and Mr Boyd said their interactions with council and the rangers over the weekend
had been peaceful and that the action was not a protest, but a quest for answers. Council’s general manager Graeme Faulkner said that so far, the protesters in Stan Robinson Park had been peaceful. He also said the development was approved by the NSW Department of Planning and not Council. When The Echo spoke to Woolworth’s Simon Berger, the Community Relations Manager for Woolworths Limited, he said that of the multitude of issues raised during a very comprehensive planning process over a number of years, this was never one of them. Uncle Harry says that he and the others gathered at the chambers will stay in residence until they get sufficient answers to their questions.
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