Byron Bay could be losing its fight against high-rise

For decades the Byron Bay community has fought against high-rise development that would change the skyline of the beloved beachside town.But there is growing concern that developers have found a way around local planning restrictions designed to limit building heights to a maximum of 11.5 metres.Three new projects have been deemed to be of state significance, meaning they will be considered by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) rather than the Byron Shire Council.Mayor Sarah Ndiaye told ABC North Coast Breakfast the DPIE could override the council's development control plan."[It's] felt like I've been screaming into the wind about this for some time," she said."I don't think people are aware of what kind of change we're starting to see."These are bigger developments, and they're able to bypass council and council laws and the community conversation that happens with these buildings."Sarah Ndiaye says community consultation is bypassed in the process. (ABC News)The development applications causing most concern are in or close to the town centre. One on the town's main street, Jonson Street, proposes approximately 160 residential apartments across three levels above a supermarket and retail shops, with a height of 16 metres.Another on the same street proposes a height of 21 metres to accommodate up to 50 apartments and retail spaces.A third project, proposed for the entrance to the town centre on Butler Street, would be a mixed-use development providing approximately 70 units and standing 14 metres high.Byron Shire Council feels it is being stripped of its decision-making powers. (ABC News: Elloise Farrow-Smith)Brooke Crowl from People of Byron said the projects risked "changing the very nature and character of what Byron is"."It's part of what makes [Byron Bay] a unique place on the east coast of Australia," she said."We're not the Gold Coast, we're not Coffs Harbour or Port Macquarie."But it also turns Byron into pretty much a development site for the next five years."Byron Bay is famous for its natural beauty. (ABC News: Emma Rennie)In a statement, the DPIE said many regional communities needed more affordable housing."Every project declared a state significant development goes through a rigorous merit assessment that gives the community and council a chance to have their say," it said.The statement said the DPIE had 492 state significant proposals across NSW, with the potential to create 152,000 homes.But Cr Ndiaye questioned whether the Byron Bay projects would provide more affordable housing."[Council has] been putting options to the state around housing for a long time, but I don't see how very expensive units in the centre of town are going to deliver that," she said.Many locals fear the centre of Byron Bay will not have the infrastructure to support more development in the busy tourist town. (ABC North Coast: Leah White)Jason Dunn, from the JD Property Group, said in a statement that the most significant part of its proposed Jonson Street development was housing."This site is very unique. [It's] in the town centre, but stretching out beside forested lands with neighbours on one side only," he said."The impact is significantly less than any other town centre location."We are working to make it a place that locals connect with and want to be, a place that has some inspiration for locals of all ages."The ABC has contacted the other developers for comment.