Applications for the Byron Shire Mayoral Fund are open

Community groups, schools, not-for-profit organisations take note. Applications for the 2024/25 Byron Shire Mayoral Fund are now open.

“This fund is a about making a small difference to some of these hard-working groups that provide terrific services for our community,” Sarah Ndiaye, Byron Shire Mayor, said.

“A total of $3,500 is available to support small projects that make a significant, positive impact on the community.

“While the grants might be modest, they can also be the difference in bringing community-driven projects to life,” Mayor Ndiaye said.

Last year’s recipients were:

• Goonengerry Public School ($500) – towards the cost of purchasing kitchen appliances to support the student cooking program and establishing an indigenous food garden at the school to support the student growing program.
• Mullumbimby Community Food Box ($500) – towards the freight and electricity costs associated with running the community food box that supports locals impacted by the cost of living.
• Bangalow Public School ($200) – towards two student awards at the school’s presentation day.
• Brunswick Heads Public School ($500) – towards a working bee for building the 2024 school musical backdrop.
• Mullumbimby High School P&C ($500) – towards purchasing resources for a well-being space to support students who need mental health and well-being support.
• Bangalow Men’s Shed ($500) – Towards supporting the women’s wood-working group to build and install a weather-proof community pantry supplying dry pantry goods to those in need.

“It’s often the smaller projects that create the most meaningful change and I really encourage all community groups to apply,” Mayor Ndiaye said.

More information about the Mayoral Fund and how to apply is on Council’s website. Applications close at 9:00am, 4 November 2024.

Shaping the Future of Pools and Aquatic Facilities in Byron Shire

By Robert Hayward

Whether it’s lap swimming, learn-to-swim programs, water polo, rehabilitation, or simply cooling off, the Council wants to hear from residents about their preferences for future pools and aquatic facilities in the Byron Shire.

“With the Mullumbimby pool now topping more than 65 years in operation and the Byron Bay pool built in 1966, it’s time to plan for redeveloping or replacing these valued community facilities,” Malcolm Robertson, Manager Open Spaces and Facilities, said.

In the past two years, consultants have engaged with numerous pool users to gather their input on the future needs for aquatic facilities.

Based on feedback, and other factors such as cost, suitable sites and flood risk, Council has a preferred option.

The preferred plan includes upgrading the Byron Bay War Memorial Swimming Pool at its current location and constructing a new facility in Mullumbimby on Lot 22 Stuart Street, near the recreation ground.

Council proposes similar facilities for both pools, with Mullumbimby also featuring a heated, indoor 20-meter program pool:

• New, accessible, eight lane, solar heated 50m pool for year-round use and suitable for water polo.
• A split wall to divide the pool into two x 25m pools.
• Smaller heated pool for swimming programs.
• Splash pad for children.
• Family-friendly and accessible change rooms.
• Café
• Seating and outdoor areas.

“We want to know if our preferred option will meet people’s needs because the next step is to start applying for grants to fund the planning of the aquatic centres, which are estimated to cost more than $76 million,” Mr Robertson said.

“Doing major improvements to an existing pool, or building a new aquatic complex, takes a lot of planning and a lot of money but the first step is to have a plan to work from.

“When we apply for funding we need to show the State and Federal Governments what we will spend the money on, and one thing they will want to know is if the plans for aquatic facilities have been presented to the community for feedback,” Mr Robertson said.

“The proposed location of a new aquatic facility in Mullumbimby is in a flood area and fill would have to be brought in as part of the development,” Mr Robertson said.

“The land at Lot 22 Stuart Street is already zoned for public recreation but the Plan of Management for the area would need to be changed to allow for this type of development.

“I am really hoping the community will share their thoughts with us so we can start sourcing funding for these important community assets,” he said.

Information about the future pools and aquatic facilities project, and how to make a submission, are on Council’s website. Submissions close on 4 November 2024.

Byron Shire Becomes First NSW Community to Enforce 60-Day Cap on Holiday Lets

As of  the 23rd September, Byron Shire has become the first community in New South Wales to introduce legally enforceable measures regulating short-term holiday accommodation, marking a significant milestone in the region’s decade-long battle to tackle housing shortages. After years of campaigning, the Shire has officially implemented a 60-day cap on un-hosted short-term rental accommodation (STRA) in most parts of the area, in an effort to balance tourism demand with the critical need for long-term housing.

Tamara Smith, MP for Ballina, who has been a driving force behind this initiative, hailed the cap as a much-needed tool to help reclaim housing for permanent residents. “Since 2015, we have worked tirelessly with the community to have the power to rein in unfettered holiday letting in Byron Shire,” Smith said.

At the height of the STRA surge, entire homes in the Shire were being listed on holiday rental platforms, severely limiting the availability of long-term rentals for residents. “At peak times, we have seen thousands of whole homes on holiday sites while permanent residents have had no rentals available,” Smith explained, underscoring the strain this has placed on the local community.

Aiming to Relieve the Housing Crisis

The new 60-day cap, which applies to non-hosted STRA lodgings, is designed to ease this burden by encouraging property owners to move more homes back into the long-term rental market. “This cap should see the transfer of some of those properties to the long-term rental market and cannot kick in soon enough,” said Smith.

By limiting the number of days a property can be rented out as a holiday let, the Shire hopes to increase the supply of rental properties available for permanent residents. However, Smith warned that larger corporations and STRA platforms may push back against this change, viewing it as a threat to their interests. “Let’s be clear – the big corps will want this unique trial for our community to fail,” she cautioned.

In response, the local government is working closely with residents to promote the positive impacts the cap is expected to generate. “We are working closely with the community to amplify the good news stories that we expect to emerge from this new power our community now has,” Smith added.

A Community-Driven Effort

Byron Shire, known for its popularity as a coastal holiday destination, has also faced significant challenges in recent years, including devastating fires and floods. Smith highlighted the resilience of the community in the face of these disasters, noting that the introduction of the cap represents another crucial step in rebuilding and strengthening the region. “As a community, we have faced fires and floods with incredible resilience, and there is palpable relief to have what I hope will be an effective piece of the puzzle toward alleviating the housing crisis in Byron Shire,” she said.

Despite expectations that rents in Byron Shire will remain relatively high, Smith is optimistic that increasing the supply of available homes for long-term rental will gradually help stabilise costs. “We know that rents in Byron Shire will be high, but supply over the long term will make a difference to both cost and availability,” she explained.

Exemptions and Future Implications

The 60-day cap will apply across the majority of Byron Shire, with two exceptions: specific precincts in Byron Bay and Brunswick Heads. These areas, which are particularly popular with tourists, have been excluded from the cap for the time being.

Smith hopes that Byron Shire’s lead in introducing these measures will inspire other communities across NSW to follow suit, especially as the state grapples with a broader rental crisis. “NSW is in a rental crisis, and it is my hope that Byron Shire will lead by example in the re-establishment of community amenity and the prioritisation of homes for permanent residents,” Smith said.

Monitoring and Future Adaptations

While the cap represents a significant step forward, Smith emphasised that it is only the beginning of the process. The MP confirmed that she will be closely monitoring the implementation of the 60-day cap and its impact on both the local housing market and the operations of STRA companies.

“It is important to see what works and what doesn’t as we move forward,” Smith said. She believes the success of the Byron Shire model could pave the way for other communities across the state to take control of STRA when investor activity starts to negatively impact housing availability and community cohesion. “Our model can set the path toward all communities in NSW having the power to rein in STRA when the balance tips too far towards property investors and big corporations, away from residential amenity and housing availability for permanent residents,” she concluded.

A Critical First Step

As Byron Shire takes this bold step towards alleviating its housing crisis, it marks a significant moment not just for the region, but potentially for all of New South Wales. The introduction of the 60-day cap on short-term holiday rentals is seen as a crucial experiment, with the rest of the state watching closely to see how this pioneering policy will impact the housing market and community well-being in one of Australia’s most sought-after regions.

How will it be enforced?

The enforcement of the 60-day cap on un-hosted short-term rental accommodation (STRA) in Byron Shire will be managed through a combination of local government oversight, monitoring systems, and penalties for non-compliance.

Key Enforcement Measures:

1. Registration and Tracking: Property owners who wish to offer short-term rentals must register their properties with the NSW Government’s short-term rental accommodation register. This central database helps local authorities monitor the number of days a property is rented out annually. The registration system allows for accurate tracking to ensure that un-hosted properties do not exceed the 60-day cap.
2. Data Sharing from STRA Platforms: Major STRA platforms like Airbnb and Stayz will be required to share data with local councils and the state government. These platforms track booking information, making it easier to verify how many days a property has been rented. This collaboration ensures that authorities have access to real-time data and can identify potential breaches of the cap.
3. Fines and Penalties: Property owners who fail to comply with the 60-day limit face financial penalties. If a property exceeds the cap, local councils can issue fines and other enforcement measures. While specific fine amounts may vary, non-compliance could result in significant penalties to deter violations.
4. Community Reporting: The local community plays an important role in enforcing the cap. Residents can report properties they suspect of violating the 60-day limit, providing another layer of oversight. These reports can be submitted directly to the council for investigation.
5. Random Audits and Inspections: To ensure compliance, the local council may conduct random audits or inspections of STRA properties. These audits can include reviewing booking records, STRA platform listings, and other relevant documentation.
6. Education and Awareness: In the early stages of implementation, there will likely be an emphasis on educating property owners about the new regulations and the importance of compliance. This will help ensure that landlords understand the rules and avoid accidental breaches of the 60-day cap.

The effectiveness of enforcement will depend on how well these mechanisms are integrated and supported by cooperation between local authorities, STRA platforms, and the community. Over time, the council may adjust enforcement strategies based on the results of the initial rollout and any challenges that arise.