Another win for Byron community as second development refused

Media Release

9 April 2019

Member for Ballina Tamara Smith has welcomed the decision by the Northern Regional Planning Panel (NRPP) to unanimously refuse the proposed West Byron development application to subdivide 9 lots into 282 residential lots at Ewingsdale Rd and Melaleuca Drive, Byron Bay.

"This is another great win for our community and people power,” said Ms Smith.

Defer the Byron Bay bypass

Media Release

5 April 2019

Defer the Byron Bay bypass

Member for Ballina Tamara Smith MP wants Byron Shire Council to defer their decision to construct the Byron Bay bypass and instead be part of a process to review options to address traffic congestion in the town.

“During the last four years I regularly heard community concerns regarding the Byron Bay bypass and more recently issues with the State government’s proposal for the Butler Street Transport Terminal,” said Ms Smith.

Greens Policy on Short Term Holiday Letting

The Greens Member for Ballina Tamara Smith MP has announced legislation for Short Term Holiday Letting that would empower local councils to regulate the industry whilst protecting the rights of owner-occupiers. Under the plan, each local council would have the power to determine its own conditions and restrictions on holiday lets, but with a caveat. Resident homeowners, who holiday let their whole homes for less than a prescribed number of days per year, would be exempt from the need to submit development applications.

Halt to over-development in Byron

Photo: Sean O'Shea Art

Greens Member for Ballina Tamara Smith is calling for a 12-24 month halt on all new planning proposals for major developments as well as a pause on both the Butler Street bypass and the Transport NSW Bus station until the area’s infrastructure backlog is addressed and the community is properly consulted.

 “Like the Liberals did for the suburb of Ryde in 2018, I am calling for a pause on development applications in Byron for 12 - 24 months while we bring our infrastructure up to scratch,” said Ms Smith.

Another victory for Byron residents? - update

Media Release 11 February 2019

Greens Member for Ballina Tamara Smith MP says while she welcomes the NSW government’s decision to moderate its one-size-fits-all holiday letting legislation to give local councils greater leeway, there are still a lot of questions to be answered.

“Now that I’ve heard the Minister for Planning’s comments this morning I have some serious concerns,” said Ms Smith.