The NSW Independent Planning Commission will hold an in-person Public Hearing at the Byron Community Centre (69 Jonson Street, Byron Bay, NSW 2481) from 21 to 23 February 2023 on housing and rental affordability and rental availability in the Byron Shire, the economic contribution of the Short-Term Rental Accommodation industry in the Byron Shire and the Byron Shire Council’s proposal to cap Short Term Rental Accommodation.
The Minister for Planning has asked the Commission to hold the Public Hearing and prepare advice to the Minister and the Department of Planning and Environment to inform decision – making on Council’s planning proposal and on housing and rental affordability and rental availability in the Byron Shire more generally.
Commissioners Sheridan Coakes (Chair), Professor Richard Mackay AM and Juliet Grant have been appointed to form the Commission Panel. The Commission will conduct the Public Hearing in Byron Bay over three days as a livestreamed event with registered speakers participating in person or via online videoconference or telephone. Any interested community members that are unable to observe the
Public Hearing on the day will be able to view the livestream via https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/livestream.
The Commission Panel will have access to all previous submissions made to the Byron Shire Council on this proposal. Anyone wishing to have their say at the Public Hearing must pre-register on the Commission’s website using the Speaker Registration Form.
Registrations opened on 16 January 2023 and close at 5pm AEDT on Friday 10 February 2023. Written submissions can also be lodged using the ‘Have Your Say’ portal on the Commission’s website: https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/have-your-say.
Venue doors will open from 9:00am each day. The Public Hearing runs from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm each day with breaks.
PLEASE NOTE: In order to comply with fire safety rules, seating is limited to 250 inside the venue and approximately 100 in the overflow area outside where the livestream will be played. People must obtain a free ticket to attend. If you have registered to speak you do not need a ticket.