THE Byron Bay Town Centre Masterplan was adopted this week and council said they see exciting times ahead for the town.
The new Masterplan features:
- redesigned foreshore parkland
- pedestrian prioritised town centre and a focus on placemaking and the public domain
- reinvigorated newly defined Railway Square
- enhanced village entry points
- Jonson Street upgrade with a unique materials palette distinguishing it as the primary town centre street
- increased local residential and commercial opportunities
- connecting the wetlands around the Sandhills area
Leap of faith
Byron Shire Mayor Simon Richardson said the Masterplan has been a leap of faith.
“Over 18 months in development, the plan has seen the town re-engage and come to a community workshop, meeting or join us on a walking tour,” he said.
“We’ve had over 2,000 community inputs into the plan’s development.
“It’s a visionary document that provides a high-level framework for future decision making within the town centre.
“This is our guide book to create significant change that ensures our town reflects and celebrates who we are and allows us to show our creativity, move away from fossil fuels and meet in spaces that are regenerated and beautiful.”
Mayor Richardson reaffirmed the Byron Bay Town Centre Masterplan will guide thinking; it is not prescriptive.
“It allows us the flexibility to continue local discussions and deliver detailed work that will bring the catalyst sites into the spotlight,” he said.
Mayor Richardson also thanked the local Bounce Group, councillors, staff and the consultants McGregor Coxall team whose guardianship has ensured the delivery of a plan the community can be very proud of and will ensure strong ownership over the coming decade.
Where to next?
A governance group will now be established to help implement the plan.
A workshop with councillors will be held to finalise a framework for this group and call for expressions of interest from the community to join the group.
Council will also proceed with projects that are already funded such as the Byron Bay Town Centre Placemaking Seed Fund. These successful projects will beautify, activate and revitalise underutilised spaces in the town centre, public domain and amenity improvements and safety strategies like additional lighting.
Staff will also continue to liaise with user groups connected to the Main Beach Catalyst site short term projects in regard to the next steps.
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