Architect’s bold proposal to redevelop Byron Bay beachfront slammed

A radical proposal to redevelop Byron Bay’s beachfront has been slammed as not viable, but its visionary – who once pitched a plan for an edible city – is adamant it can be done.

Landscape architect David Vago, of firm Habit8, with concept plans for a redevelopment of Byron Bay’s Main Beach. Picture: NewsLocal.

A bold-thinking landscape architect’s radical proposal to redevelop Byron Bay’s beachfront – which would see all car parks removed and replaced with grass and a new “world-class” aquatic centre – has been slammed.

Byron Mayor Sarah Ndiaye reckons the plan is simply not viable, but the architect – who once pitched a plan for an edible city – remains adamant it can be done.

David Vago, of firm Habit8, pitched the proposal to Byron Shire Council as it considers the future of the foreshore and said “let’s un-pave paradise and pull down a parking lot”.

His eccentric vision includes “greening over” the entirety of Byron Bay’s Main Beach foreshore, removing all car park spaces and implementing a new aquatic centre – complete with a 50 metre pool, gym, wedding function area, restaurant and cocktail bar.

Mr Vago has worked on significant NSW projects including the Cronulla Sharks redevelopment, Pacific Bondi Beach, the Brookfield Tower at Wynyard and large-scale housing projects for developers Mirvac, Charter Hall and Frasers Property.

Landscape architect David Vago's plans to transform Byron Bay beachfront. Picture: Supplied / Habit8

Mr Vago said the Byron community was “torn over the vision of the foreshore area”.

He claimed there were rumours A-lister and Byron local Chris Hemsworth was enthusiastic about the project, along with the Hollywood star’s mate Matt Damon.

“In fact there seems to be mass hypocrisy on the bold vision to remove carparking from the beachfront as many greens and environmental activists seem to want to keep cars and pavement on the beachfront at the expense of the natural environment,” Mr Vago said.

David Vago says of the tourist mecca, “let’s un-pave paradise and pull down a parking lot”. Picture: Supplied / Habit8

In regards to parking, Mr Vago proposed a three-storey car park be built behind the town’s centre and said the relocation would “free up prime beachside space for public use”.

The plans include grassed areas, shaded by native trees, complemented by boardwalks, viewing platforms, and thoughtfully designed public furniture, the proposal states.

The proposal also includes a “world-class aquatic centre” to replace the old beachfront facility.

Mr Vago is no stranger to pitching bold visions. In 2017, he proposed an $8bn plan to turn Sydney’s Woolloomooloo into an “edible city”, with the concept including market gardens on most rooftops — 24,000 square metres of them. The project was titled “Willy Wonka’s Woolloomooloo”.

The plans include a “world-class aquatic centre”. Picture: Supplied/Habit8

Mr Vago once told Virgin Australia Magazine he possessed a “guerrilla design approach”.

These “guerrilla” concepts also included a proposal to turn a disused crane in Sydney Harbour into a bungee jumping attraction.

In regards to his Byron proposal, Mr Vago said he wanted to “give Byron Bay back to its people”.

“With this project, we aim to create a beachfront that is more accessible, inclusive, and reflective of Byron Bay’s natural beauty,” Mr Vago said.

“We are not just removing the parking lot; we are giving Byron Bay back to its people, creating spaces that invite connection, creativity, and wellness.”

He said he was not surprised about council’s fierce reaction to the project: “Any good idea thrown to council gets canned. Byron hates tourists.”

Byron Shire Mayor Sarah Ndiaye said of public submissions: “We have a very creative and engaged community”.

“This was reflected in the more than 700 submissions we received during our recent consultation about the Byron foreshore,” she said.

“The feedback will help inform a final concept plan which, when finished, will be presented to the elected council in 2025.”

Goodbye car parks, hello green space. Picture: Supplied / Habit8

She went on to describe Mr Vago’s proposal as “unsolicited”.

“We get a lot of unsolicited proposals like this for all sorts of projects and looking online, it seems Mr Vago makes a bit of a habit of this approach,” Cr Ndiaye said.

“It’s a lot more helpful if people direct their vision and enthusiasm through the community consultation process.

“At a glance, the proposal doesn’t sit within council’s land footprint and takes in a lot of privately owned retail land with some of the highest price-tags in the country.”

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