Council - 22 May 2025 3:00 PM

Key decisions

• Byron Bay foreshore concept plan adopted
  Council adopted the Byron foreshore concept plan, will continue stakeholder engagement during detailed design, will publicly exhibit the new Apex Park amenities design, prioritise a new play space, begin further planting, proceed with kayak storage design, and await the coastal protection structure outcome before developing foreshore parking plans.
  This shapes future foreshore facilities, public space design, access, planting, and parking discussions in Byron Bay.
• Affordable housing contribution framework endorsed for exhibition
  Council endorsed draft affordable housing contribution policy and related procedures and distribution plan for public exhibition for at least 28 days.
  Residents and landowners will be able to comment on how contributions from upzoning may help fund affordable housing in Byron Shire.
• $3.5 million loan approved for Bayshore Drive roundabout
  Council authorised $3,500,000 in new borrowings for 2024/25 to construct a roundabout at Lot 12 Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay, delegated loan acceptance to the General Manager, and allocated $5.145 million from the Sewerage Capital Works Reserve to repay an earlier loan instead of refinancing it.
  This affects infrastructure delivery, council debt management, and funding for transport works in Byron Bay.
• Planning proposal for 268 Ewingsdale Road to proceed
  Council agreed to progress the planning proposal to rezone land at 268 Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay from RU2 Rural Landscape to a mix of industrial and environmental zones, seek a gateway determination, exhibit the proposal and draft planning agreement, and later consider a submissions report.
  This is a significant land use change with potential impacts on employment land, environment, and nearby residents.
• Flood-related DCP amendments adopted
  Council adopted amended Byron Shire DCP 2014 Chapter C2: Areas Affected by Flood, updated related terminology in Part A, and will publish the changes on its website.
  Updated flood planning rules may affect future development standards and building requirements in flood-affected areas.
• Councillor and mayor fees set for 2025/26 without deputy mayor fee
  Council set the annual councillor fee at $27,860 and mayoral fee at $68,800 for 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026, decided not to set a deputy mayor fee, and will continue lobbying for a separate payment category for that role.
  This determines elected member remuneration for the coming financial year.
• Meeting start times retained at 3pm for rest of 2025
  Council resolved that planning and ordinary meetings will continue to start at 3pm for the remainder of 2025, with possible consideration of a three-weekly cycle for 2026.
  This affects when residents can attend or follow council meetings.
• Policies reviewed and updated
  Council repealed the Commercial and Other Activities on Public Land and Roads Policy, placed the Communications and Social Media Policy on exhibition for 28 days, adopted the Child Safe Policy, and flagged workshop discussion on a culturally appropriate cemeteries policy.
  These decisions affect council governance, public land policy settings, child safety standards, and future cemetery policy development.

Important topics

• Quarterly budget review
  Council adopted budget variations to 31 March 2025, including no movement to the General Fund unrestricted cash result, a $1.093 million decrease in General Fund reserves, a $495,000 increase in Water Fund reserves, and a $948,200 increase in Sewerage Fund reserves, while retaining a revised General Fund unrestricted cash surplus of $400,000.
  This gives residents an updated picture of council finances and reserve movements.
• Operational plan progress
  Council noted the Quarter 3 Operational Plan report and adopted amendments to the 2024/25 Operational Plan.
  This tracks progress on council commitments and updates planned actions.
• Mullumbimby water supply strategy oversight
  Council adopted committee recommendations supporting further project design work for Mullumbimby's long-term water supply strategy and requested ongoing committee updates.
  This relates to future water security planning for Mullumbimby.
• Byron Writers Festival traffic management supported
  Council adopted Local Traffic Committee recommendations supporting traffic management for the Byron Writers Festival in Bangalow from 8 to 10 August 2025, subject to conditions including resident notification, service coordination, emergency consultation, and insurance.
  Residents in Bangalow can expect temporary traffic arrangements during the festival.
• Mayor's discretionary donation noted
  Council noted a $1,500 donation from the Mayor's Discretionary Allowance to the Mullumbimby and District Neighbourhood Centre and will advertise it under the Local Government Act.
  This identifies a small direct community funding decision.

Resident impacts

• Future upgrades and design changes are now planned for Byron Bay foreshore areas including Apex Park.
• A public exhibition is coming on affordable housing contribution rules, giving residents a chance to comment.
• A major roundabout project at Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay will be funded through new borrowing.
• Flood-related development controls have been updated and may affect planning applications in flood-prone areas.
• The 268 Ewingsdale Road planning proposal will move to the next stages including exhibition if gateway approval is received.
• Council and planning meetings will continue to start at 3pm through the rest of 2025.
• Traffic changes are expected in Bangalow during the Byron Writers Festival in August 2025.

Places affected

• Byron Bay (town)
  Foreshore concept plan, Bayshore Drive roundabout borrowing, and planning proposal at 268 Ewingsdale Road.
• Apex Park (park)
  Amenities design to go on exhibition and a new play space is to be prioritised.
• Bayshore Drive (road)
  Site of the roundabout project to be funded by new loan borrowings.
• 268 Ewingsdale Road, Byron Bay (site)
  Land subject to planning proposal for rezoning and planning agreement.
• Mullumbimby (town)
  Long-term water supply strategy project and showground land manager representation.
• Bangalow (town)
  Traffic management arrangements approved for the Byron Writers Festival in August 2025.
• Cape Byron Marine Park (marine park)
  Council nominated a representative to the advisory committee.

Next steps

• Publicly exhibit draft affordable housing contribution documents and invite submissions
  At least 28 days after endorsement
• Publicly exhibit the new Apex Park amenities design and report feedback back to Council
  Next design exhibition phase
• Seek and finalise loan finance offer for the Bayshore Drive roundabout project
  During 2024/25, with loan maturing by 30 June 2028
• Seek gateway determination and, if approved, publicly exhibit the 268 Ewingsdale Road planning proposal and draft planning agreement
  Next statutory planning stage
• Publish the adopted flood-related DCP amendments on Council's website
  After adoption
• Exhibit the Communications and Social Media Policy and return to Council if submissions are received
  28-day exhibition period
• Prepare the 2026 meeting schedule with consideration of a three-weekly cycle
  During 2025 schedule planning

Extracted minutes text

Minutes Ordinary Meeting Thursday, 22 May 2025 BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL Ordinary Meeting Minutes 2 2 M a y 2 0 2 5 O r d i n a r y M e e t i n g M i n u t e s 2 2 M a y 2 0 2 5 p a g e 2 INDEX OF ITEMS DISCUSSED The following items are listed in the order in which they were dealt with. Report No. 13.4 Budget Review - 1 January to 31 March 2025 ....................................... 7 Report No. 13.6 2024/25 Operational Plan Progress Report - Quarter 3 - March 2025 ... 7 Report No. 13.11 Council Investments - 1 April 2025 to 30 April 2025 .............................. 7 Report No. 14.1 Report of the Arts Advisory Committee Meeting held on 17 April 2025 . 8 Report No. 14.2 Report of the Water an...