Business and Industrial Lands Strategy

The Business and Industrial Lands Strategy (formerly Employment Lands Strategy) will guide Council’s decision-making and key actions to manage future growth of retail, commercial and industrial land in our Shire. We're growing our economy while maintaining the character of our villages, towns and rural areas.

Where are we now?

A draft Strategy(PDF, 39MB) was publicly exhibited in late 2018.  Council at 20 June 2019 planning meeting considered a report on submissions and resolved, amongst other matters, to consider the inclusion of additional lands:

1.      Between Gulgan and The Saddle Road Brunswick Heads - an estimated developable area of some 2.6 ha with potential for business park and/or industrial uses. 

2.     150 Lismore Road, Bangalow (adjacent to Industrial Estate) - an estimated developable area of some 1.4 ha with potential for industrial use.  

As the lands were not identified in the exhibition draft Strategy, Council sought further public comment until 30 August 2019 and are currently assessing the submissions to be reported back to Council before the end of the year.

How did we get here?

The draft Strategy(PDF, 39MB) is the result of over two years of planning, research and consultation on the topic.  The Employment Lands Background Report(PDF, 11MB) and the draft Strategy have been prepared with input from the local community, business sector and government agencies.   

The Strategy builds on Enterprising Byron 2025(PDF, 2MB)   which aims to accelerate employment generation and attract public and private investment in the Shire and the 2017- 2018 Survey(PDF, 4MB) of Byron Shire businesses. 

The Strategy couples with other projects in Council to secure the economy while maintaining the character of our villages, towns and rural areas.

Where to next?

The final draft Business and Industrial Lands Strategy will be updated to reflect the outcomes of the ‘additional land’ proposals consultation, along with Council’s decisions from the June 2019 Planning meeting.  It will be reported back to Council for adoption before the end of the year.

Land predominantly used for retail, commercial or industrial activities, found in our business centres and industrial precincts.

Typical Business Centre Zones

Typical Industrial Precinct zones

B1 Neighbourhood Centre

IN1 General Industrial

B2 Local Centre

IN2 Light Industrial

B4 Mixed Use

B7 Business Park

RU5 Village (only Billinudgel)

 

 

The Strategy recognises agriculture as a valued sector and a key driver of change in our Shire’s economy and employment land demands.

 

 

A progressive Business and Industrial Lands Strategy is needed to secure a sustainable long-term supply of land best suited to those businesses that work well in our Shire. 

Our Shire's close proximity to South East Queensland, anticipated to grow from 3.5 million people to 5.3 million over the next 25 years, our unique natural setting, strong local identity and emerging innovative industries have seen:

  • Our Shire as a big 'hitter' in tourism, lifestyle, clean and green produce, health and wellbeing and in entrepreneurship. 
  • Our economy grow at a marginally faster rate that the rest of regional NSW and the Northern Rivers region.
  • Our Shire experience relatively strong business and job growth.
  • Our businesses quick to respond to consumer trends in food production, retailing, tourism, and workplace opportunities.

Due to the success of local entrepreneurs, business people have flocked to the Shire in search of success, creative influences, lifestyle and the attraction of our villages and towns.   

It is essential to keep pace - meeting the needs of a growing and diversifying population and a buoyant economy.

Talk to a Council planner, phone 02 6626 7126 or email Alex Caras or Natalie Hancock.

 

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