R E L A X I N G I N T H A T S E R E N E S PA C E B E T W E E N V A R I A N T S The Byron Shire Echo • Volume 36 #37 • February 23, 2022 • www.echo.net.au
Peer review questions holiday letting impacts
Time to clean up, ’Straya! Starting with Mullum…
Council’s planners are calling on councillors not to include an unfavourable Economic Impact Assessment (EIA) with their submission to the State government that seeks to cap holiday letting to 90 days for most of the Shire. ‘Anomalies’ and ‘questionable methodology’ are among the EIA’s claimed deficienceies. In the upcoming report for the February 24 meeting, report authors Ben Grant, Shannon Burt and Natalie Hancock present the long-awaited report, Economic Impact Assessment of Planning Proposal for Short-Term Rental Accommodation. In February 2019, Byron Shire received a temporary exemption from implementing the NSW government’s holiday letting rules, which recently came into effect across the State. Staff say, in the report, the delay gave Council the opportunity to lodge a Planning Proposal that would ‘cap’ non-hosted short-term rental accommodation (STRA) to 90 days per year in most of the Byron LGA, except for certain precincts in Byron Bay, Suffolk Park and Brunswick Heads, where it would be permitted 365 days per year. They say, ‘A conditional Gateway determination for the Planning Proposal was issued by DPIE (the department of planning and environment) on 24 June 2021’. As part of the planning proposal, Council were also required to submit an Economic Impact Assessment (EIA); the results of which are presented in the staff report. ▶ Continued on page 2
As part of Clean Up Australia Day on March 6, residents will be out to tackle rubbish and waste in Mullumbimby. Event co-ordinator, Bronwyn Morris, told The Echo vollies will meet at Mullum Co-op from 8am. ‘From here, we will collect our bags, register and be briefed. You can then choose an area you would like to clean up. You must consider the safety aspects of collecting litter, and think carefully about bringing young children along. You are responsible for anyone under 18 in your care,’ she says. ‘Another important reason to participate is that the day provides an opportunity to meet other locals who are also concerned about waste and litter reduction’. NE Waste will also be there on the day to answer questions. Photo Eve Jeffery
Byron to provide crisis accom again Paul Bibby Tucked away in a quiet corner of a local caravan park, a small, bright cabin sits beside the sea. It’s the kind of dwelling that would normally fetch a high price on the short-term holiday rental market. But this particular home will be occupied for free.
Lilac house owner must pay fines, despite sale ▶ p5 B
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After nearly a year of negotiations between the Byron Community Centre and Byron Council, the cabin will, next month, become one of the Shire’s first temporary dwellings for vulnerable community members.
Services moved from area Byron Shire has been home to crisis accommodation in the past, but over the past decade, these
The Chinny Charge is back! ▶ p7
S E R VI C E S
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With the local housing crisis worsening, the need for temporary crisis accommodation has grown exponentially. ‘Every day, we work with people who are experiencing homelessness and those at risk,’ says Dayna Suchoparek, Community Support Worker at Byron Community Centre. ‘When people don’t have ▶ Continued on page 2
Spot the irregular gig guide listing ▶ p23
Don’t get caught out by the Sun joining Jupiter and Neptune! Consult Lillith’s stars ▶ p45
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David Heilpern doesn’t think much of Clive Palmer ▶ p10
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valuable services have been moved out of the Shire as part of the so-called ‘centralisation’ of social services. This has seen accommodation for homeless youth and women conglomerated in the Tweed Shire and Lismore, and forced locals facing homelessness to move away from their communities and support networks.
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1 x $1,500 // 2 x $500 // 2 x $250
1 x $2,000 // 10 x $200 Vouchers
1 x $5,000 // 5 x $500
Draw Starts: 7pm + Raffles from 6pm
Draw Starts: 7pm
Draw Starts: 7pm + Raffles from 6pm
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Jonson Street, Byron Bay • 02 6685 6878 • www.byronbayservicesclub.com.au
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