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16 October 2009
Draft CZMP to go out on public exhibition
Byron Shire Council’s draft Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) is out on public exhibition from Thursday 22 October until 22 December 2009.
Mayor Jan Barham said the draft CZMP proposes a precautionary approach to the management of the coastline and is the result of many years of research and development.
“The draft CZMP takes into account 20 years of planning for managing coastal hazards and future climate change risks.
“It proposes an adaptation model that considers the significant management issues associated with how locals and visitors live, work, and play within our coastline.
“The community and national interest in how we manage our coastline, and the issue of coastal erosion, is extremely high.
“It’s now time to open the discussion with informed dialogue and we look forward to community submissions as a result of the public exhibition.”
Mayor Barham went on to thank the community groups and staff for their time and effort on the various coastal committees over the past decade.
The community engagement program during the 60 day public exhibition period will include a staffed community information stand, a public meeting that includes a facilitated panel discussion, information sheets, online website submission forms, media releases and advertising.
The draft CZMP addresses the management issues for the Byron Shire coastline from the Tweed-Byron Shire border to the Byron-Ballina Shire in the south and aims to:
- Ensure preservation and management of public access to beaches.
- Encourage community participation in coastal management initiatives such as dune management.
- Ensure appropriate management of sensitive cultural sites.
- Guide the responsible management of the coastline from an ecological, social and economic perspective.
- Establish a uniform 20 metre, development-free buffer between the erosion escarpment and human settlement.
- Simplify the existing development controls through:
1. providing for a uniform 20 m trigger distance for relocation to all relevant existing and future development in areas of coastal
hazard, subject to certain conditions
2. establishing two Coastal Planning Precincts for immediate and 100-year planning horizon, with clear planning and building
requirements for future development.
- Provide an Emergency Action Plan (EAP) to explain Council’s responsibilities and actions in the event of coastal emergency.
The draft CZMP also identifies management actions, timeframes and costs.
Copies of the draft CZMP and accompanying information are available for viewing and collection at community access points around the Shire including the Federal Store, Bangalow Post Office, Summerland Credit Union Ocean Shores, Suffolk Park Holiday Park Shire Libraries, and Council’s Administration Centre, Station Street Mullumbimby, between the hours of 9.00am and 4.00pm. A copy of the Plan is also available on Council’s website at - www.byron.nsw.gov.au/public-exhibition
Submissions may be lodged online at - www.byron.nsw.gov.au/public-exhibition Submission forms are also available from community access points. Written submissions should be addressed to The General Manager, PO Box 219, MULLUMBIMBY NSW 2482, clearly marked “Submission – Draft Byron Shire Coastal Zone Management Plan”. Prior to reaching this stage, Byron Shire Council has also completed a Coastline Values Study (2000), Coastline Hazard Definition Study (2000) and the Coastline Management Study (2004). Copies of these documents can be found on Council’s website www.byron.nsw.gov.au/coastal-and-estuary-management . END Media Contact: Donna Johnston Media Communications Officer Byron Shire Council Ph: 02 6626 7320
Byron Shire is located at Australia's eastern-most point with a population of almost 29,000. It is a thriving community where residents and visitors live, work and play in a sustainable environment and where Council strives to deliver the highest standard of local government services and infrastructure.
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