Council (Planning) - 8 May 2025 3:00 PM

Key decisions

• Draft budget and plans placed on exhibition
  Council placed the draft 2025-2029 Delivery Program, 2025/26 Operational Plan, draft 2025/26 Budget Estimates, and draft 2025/26 Revenue Policy including fees and charges on public exhibition until 8 June 2025.
  Residents can review and comment on proposed spending, services, projects, and fees before adoption.
• Planning Review Committee outcomes endorsed
  Council endorsed the outcomes of the Planning Review Committee meeting held on 3 April 2025.
  This confirms planning review outcomes that may affect development matters across the shire.
• Regional & Remote Music Summit partnership approved
  Council agreed to host the 2025 Regional & Remote Music Summit in Byron Bay from 23-25 July 2025, become a Presenting Partner, and identify a $15,000 contribution in the next Quarterly Budget Review.
  This may support local economic activity and events funding, with a direct council budget contribution.
• Pay parking permit fees amended for exhibition
  Council resolved to exhibit draft 2025/26 fees and charges with changes to pay parking permits, including removing the earlier statement about two free resident permits, setting a Shire resident parking permit at $55, adding a non-resident ratepayer permit at $110, and adding a border community permit category.
  This changes the proposed cost and structure of parking permits relevant to residents, ratepayers, and nearby border communities.
• Brunswick Heads pay parking revenue distribution set
  Council resolved that net funds from Brunswick Heads pay parking be allocated to the Infrastructure Renewal Reserve - Brunswick Heads for works in Brunswick Heads village, with further review of revenue apportionment between Council and Crown before the 2025/26 budget is adopted.
  This affects how parking income is reinvested locally and may shape future town works funding.
• Community Strategic Plan submissions noted
  Council noted submissions received on the draft Community Strategic Plan 2025-2035 during public exhibition and the responses to those submissions.
  Community feedback has been formally considered as part of setting long-term council priorities.
• Byron Bay intersection consultation to proceed
  Council noted community feedback on the Bangalow Road, Cooper Street and Paterson Street intersection and directed staff to consult on short-term options including restricting right turns, then report back on preferred future upgrades.
  This may lead to traffic changes affecting safety, access, and vehicle movements in Byron Bay.
• Mullumbimby roadworks detour concerns raised
  Council supported consideration of detours for Mullumbimby Road works via Myocum Road rather than Saddle Road or Coolamon Scenic Drive, with temporary signage, a 40 km/h speed limit on Saddle Road, and traffic calming measures requested during detour use.
  This responds to local concerns about road safety, traffic volumes, and heavy vehicle impacts during works.

Important topics

• Status of development applications before external planning bodies
  Council noted a status report on development applications being considered by bodies such as the Northern Regional Planning Panel.
  Residents tracking major development proposals can expect these matters to continue through external assessment pathways.
• Land and Environment Court matters discussed in public access
  During public access, legal counsel said one appeal relating to a subdivision had been resolved by agreement after conciliation and expert-led changes, while Council's position on a separate housing development was that it should be refused, with a hearing expected in late September.
  Residents concerned about contested development on the site were given an update on how the court matters are progressing.
• Road classification advocacy
  Council resolved to continue working with Transport for NSW on reclassifying the MR545 road network from Regional Road to State Road.
  Road classification can affect responsibility for funding, maintenance, and upgrades.

Resident impacts

• Public submissions are open until 8 June 2025 on the draft budget, operational plan, and fees and charges.
• Proposed parking permit fees and categories were changed, affecting residents, non-resident ratepayers, and some border communities.
• Brunswick Heads parking revenue is intended to be reinvested into works in Brunswick Heads village after operating costs.
• Traffic changes may be trialled or consulted on at the Bangalow Road, Cooper Street, and Paterson Street intersection in Byron Bay.
• Detour management for Mullumbimby Road works may affect Saddle Road, Myocum Road, Coolamon Scenic Drive, Ocean Shores, Ewingsdale, and Mullumbimby traffic conditions.
• Council committed to a $15,000 contribution toward hosting the Regional & Remote Music Summit in Byron Bay.

Places affected

• Byron Bay (town)
  Host location for the 2025 Regional & Remote Music Summit and site of the Bangalow Road/Cooper Street/Paterson Street intersection matter.
• Brunswick Heads (town)
  Location of the pay parking scheme and beneficiary area for reinvestment of net parking revenue.
• Mullumbimby (town)
  Traffic impacts discussed in relation to Mullumbimby Road works and local detours.
• Saddle Road (road)
  Proposed to avoid heavy vehicle detours where possible and apply temporary speed reduction and traffic calming during works.
• Myocum Road (road)
  Preferred heavy vehicle detour route during Mullumbimby Road works.
• Coolamon Scenic Drive (road)
  Referenced in detour and signage discussions linked to Mullumbimby Road works.
• Bangalow Road (road)
  Part of the Byron Bay intersection subject to traffic and safety consultation.
• Cooper Street and Paterson Street intersection (intersection)
  Subject to consultation on short-term turn restriction options and future upgrade planning.

Next steps

• Publicly exhibit draft Delivery Program 2025-2029, Operational Plan 2025/26, Budget Estimates, and Revenue Policy including fees and charges
  Until 8 June 2025
• Identify a $15,000 budget allocation for Council's contribution to the 2025 Regional & Remote Music Summit
  At the next Quarterly Budget Review
• Review revenue apportionment between Council and Crown for Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads pay parking schemes
  Before final adoption of the 2025/26 Budget in June 2025
• Provide a report on apportioning parking permit revenue and administration costs between Brunswick Heads and Byron Bay schemes
  Future council report
• Undertake community consultation on short-term treatment options for the Bangalow Road, Cooper Street and Paterson Street intersection
  Future consultation period
• Report back to Council on community feedback and preferred options for future intersection upgrades
  After consultation
• Continue engagement with Transport for NSW on reclassification of the MR545 road network
  Ongoing

Extracted minutes text

Minutes Ordinary (Planning) Meeting Thursday, 8 May 2025 DISCLAIMER These minutes are DRAFT minutes and will remain unconfirmed until they are confirmed as a correct record at a subsequent meeting. BYRON SHIRE COUNCIL Ordinary (Planning) Meeting Minutes 8 M a y 2 0 2 5 O r d i n a r y ( P l a n n i n g ) M e e t i n g M i n u t e s 8 M a y 2 0 2 5 p a g e 3 INDEX OF ITEMS DISCUSSED The following items are listed in the order in which they were dealt with. Report No. 13.2 Draft Delivery Program 2025-2029 and 2025/26 Operational Plan, Budget, and Revenue Policy ................................................................ 11 Report No. 13.4 PLANNING - Report of the Planning Review Committe...