The site known as ‘Lot 12’ on Bayshore Drive is a Council-owned 5.8 hectare block of land in the Byron Arts and Industry Estate. Council’s vision is for the space to become an innovation precinct; a place to learn, collaborate and connect. A Precinct Plan was developed and endorsed by Council in June 2020, detailing high level aspirations for the site.
To bring the vision to fruition, Byron Shire Council planned to subdivide the site into three lots.
GeoLINK’s Civil, Environmental and Planning teams all contribute
Byron Shire Council engaged GeoLINK to assist with the development application (DA) for the three-lot subdivision which included an upgrade of the existing site access, construction of an additional access, public car park and associated road works.
Our input included undertaking a detailed traffic study, preliminary road design, stormwater modelling and management design, town planning, ecological assessments, and ongoing environmental monitoring.
GeoLINK’s involvement extended to the preparation of the following documents:
Flexibility and comprehensive service delivery
This project required some innovative thinking and flexibility to address approval requirements as the project progressed. Beyond the original scope, GeoLINK was also engaged to address specific consent conditions.
All approvals were granted, and the new TAFE NSW Connected Learning Centre facility opened in September 2023 and is the first permanent TAFE NSW presence in Byron Bay.
Innovative ideas bring change… and challenges
Byron Shire Council’s vision for Lot 12 is for an inclusive, healthy and environmentally conscious community. Part of the vision is for the site to be carbon neutral once fully occupied, setting a new benchmark in urban design and community place planning.
It is to become a place to learn, collaborate, create, change and connect. As an innovation hub, the site needs to demonstrate excellence in urban design, governance and delivery models.
With plans for a progressive development, also came some challenges. Our planners, engineers and ecologists worked closely with Council to ensure any future development is compliant with relevant standards and legislation and minimises impacts on the local environment, nearby residents, and the existing traffic network.
GeoLINK was able to help the client navigate the approval process and address the necessary areas in the development consent for a successful outcome. We continue to be involved in the project providing a Vegetation Management Plan for the site with ongoing monitoring over the next five years from 2023-2028.