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Mullumbimby Protests Sartor / Woolies Planning

Frustration and anger at moves by Woolworths to build a supermarket in the quiet streets of Mullumbimby burst into flames on the weekend and consumed a cardboard model of the proposed building. A crowd of 300-400 people gathered at a local park to hear a variety of speakers who denounced the process that has led to this application being approved. They then marched to the proposed site of the development and to the cries of "No Woolies" "No Woolies" and the cheers and jeers of the assembled crowd the "effigy" was set alight.

The history of this particular development is a sad example of the way planning laws in New South Wales have become seriously compromised. Mayor Jan Barham outlined the consequences of the recent changes to planning laws and emphasised the need for everyone to keep lobbying on this issue. See Video

The development application for this site was rejected by Byron Shire Council on the grounds that it was not appropriate to the town based on planning documents that had been prepared for each of the towns in the Shire.

In what has become a typical of process in NSW the developer appealed directly to the planning minister Mr. Sartor who overruled the decision of council and trampled on the wishes of the community to maintain the current look and feel of the town.

In ongoing manoeuvres Woolworths have sought further modifications to the design to increase the size of the building and to avoid complying with sewage restrictions that have applied to other proposed developments in the town.