A bold plan to remove a beachfront car park in Byron Bay would see the tourist hotspot undergo its biggest transformation in 20 years.
Landscape architect David Vago has proposed a beachfront renovation to Byron Shire Council on the New South Wales north coast that would replace the car park with a solar-powered aquatic centre, wedding event area and restaurant.
The proposal will also feature a cocktail bar, new seating, boardwalks, viewing platforms, an amphitheater, children’s playground, public art and an outdoor fitness area.
Vago, a Byron resident, told Daily Mail Australia his vision for the tourist hotspot was put forward several weeks ago to “spur the council into action”.
“There has been talk about fixing up the beach and making an aquatic center,” he said.
‘The restaurant further up the beach will be torn down because it is close to the erosion line where corrosion occurs on the beach side.
“So I put two and two together and came up with a vision that basically incorporates redoing the park beach and removing the parking lot and putting it behind the aquatic center.”
The architect said people who know Hollywood star and Byron local Chris Hemsworth say he would “love to see something happen down there.”
Pictured is an artist’s impression of the new three-story car park and aquatic center that would replace the current car park if landscape architect David Vago has his way.
Pictured is the current car park on the beach at Byron Beach on the far north coast of New South Wales.
Vago has presented his big plan to Byron Shire Council Mayor Sarah Ndiaye, but she has yet to show any interest.
Vago said he is surprised Byron Greens councilor Ndiaye does not support his vision, which would also involve planting more trees.
“There appears to be widespread hypocrisy in the bold vision of eliminating beachfront parking, as many environmentalists and environmental activists seem to want to maintain beachfront cars and sidewalks at the expense of the natural environment,” he said.
“This has led some to express that it is an oxymoron for a green LGA to fight to remove cars and concrete from the shores of a protected marine park.”
Vago said there was a lot of opposition to the change in Byron and that the concept of NIMBYism is widespread, adding that many of those who opposed the plan don’t even live in the area.
‘That’s the other problem, everyone lived here. “Now they live in Bangalow, in Federal, in Mullumbimby or wherever, and they represent us,” he said.
Vago said the new aquatic center with an eight-lane Olympic-size pool would be welcomed by locals and tourists alike.
‘Tourists will love it. Locals will love it. “It’s a protected area, protected from the wind and also ideal for many families who come here and don’t know how to swim very well,” he said.
“All the locals want to see a new pool and something to happen on the beach, because the situation there is quite bad.
“They haven’t spent money there in 20 years.”
Mr. Vago’s vision also includes a restaurant, cocktail bar, boardwalks, an amphitheater, an outdoor gym and a playground (an artist’s impression of the new space is pictured).
Pictured is an artist’s impression of a new boardwalk included in the architect’s plan.
Vago said the aquatic center was vital to maintaining the green space with funding from the kiosk, restaurant, event center and gym.
Vago’s vision also includes a wedding event area, something he believes Byron is missing, and a boardwalk for ease of accessibility.
“Right now you can’t even get to the lighthouse if you are older or have a stroller,” said the architect.
“The idea is that this continues along a boardwalk, and connects and goes up to the lighthouse around the headland.”
Vago said Byron relied heavily on the tourism industry.
“From time to time, Byron has to evolve, because now it has no industry other than tourism,” he said.
‘They don’t like tourists. I say: “But you have to do it, there is no economy here.”
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Byron Shire Council and Mayor Sarah Ndiaye.
