Voice of Byron

BYRON SHIRE Council is inviting NSW Department of Planning staff to brief staff and Councillors about the development application (DA) for the permanent use of the North Byron Parklands Cultural Events site for events catering for up to 50,000 patrons.

The DA, which is classed as State Significant Development by the NSW Government, is currently on exhibition for public comment.

A State Significant Development includes including tourist and recreation facilities that are over a certain size, located in a sensitive environmental area or exceed more than $30 million in capital investment.

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Ken Gainger, Byron Shire Council’s General Manager, said because the NSW Government is the consent authority, Council will be making a submission based on staff’s assessment of the DA just like every other interested individual or organisation.

“Staff will be looking at a range of issues including site management, impacts on ecology, emergency evacuation, noise, traffic, parking and pedestrian management, food health and provision of on-site facilities when they assess the DA,” Mr Gainger said.

The Department of Planning has indicated it will be undertaking community consultation in late January with respect to the DA and Council is/has requested a briefing be also provided to Councillors.

“There’s no doubt events like Splendour in the Grass and Falls Festival have huge appeal to visitors and locals but there are also a lot of residents who feel the events have a negative impact on the local community,” Mr Gainger said.

“I encourage all residents to take the time to make a submission so the Department of Planning gets a good understanding about the local views on this issue,” he said.

The closing date for submissions is 16 February.

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