The idyllic Byron Bay hinterland towns of Bangalow and Newrybar in the far north of NSW have long attracted Sydneysiders seeking an escape from the big smoke.
But now locals are in a flutter about apparently unrelated big-money investments and business operations in the area.
Names on the lips of locals include former king of the Cross, John Ibrahim, and his property developer friend, Bart Elias, as well as Gold Coast party boy and tobacco shop heir Travers Beynon, aka, the Candyman.
As a stoush over a major $20 million-plus industrial development in Bangalow comes to a head before the NSW Government's joint regional planning panel on Thursday, intrigue and suspicion have taken over.
Amid reports about the Ibrahim family being the subject of drug and tobacco importation raids last week, word spread about interests linked to John Ibrahim having invested in the area.
The Herald has confirmed Pacific Blue Property Holdings, controlled by Mr Ibrahim's financial controller Margaret Staltaro, paid $1.45 million for a macadamia nut farm on Hinterland Way, Newrybar last year.
Ms Staltaro, also known as the female Tongan Sam, a reference to the family's feared enforcer, Semi "Tongan Sam" Ngata, purchased the 8 hectare parcel of land that has been run as a commercial macadamia plantation.
Located at the end of the Newrybar main strip, the purchase came after a strong run-up in macadamia farm prices.
The agent's pitch on the property made Newrybar sound more lively than a night out in Kings Cross since the lockout laws were introduced, describing it as "the most happening place in the heart of the Byron Hinterland".
"The picturesque main street, is becoming 'hipster' heaven," the blurb enthused, noting the iconic Harvest Cafe, a deli and bakery, boutiques, antique shops and galleries.
Perhaps of more interest to Mr Ibrahim's growing interest in property development, the agent also suggests opportunity including an "as of right" use for rural tourism allowing for accommodation to be combined with the macadamias as an extra source of income.
"Also permitted under the current zoning 'Rural Industry' a recreational facility, value-adding of rural products, retail outlet, marketplace, and much more."
Just up the road in Bangalow, the state government's joint regional planning panel is due to front a meeting on Thursday to update the community on a controversial industrial food processing precinct that has divided locals.
The project is linked to an intriguing list of names, including Ibrahim's friend, Mr Elias, a prominent north coast developer.
Mr Elias, whose mother is the sister of Judy Obeid, wife of jailed corrupt politician Eddie, was front and centre when Chase Lismore Road Pty Ltd submitted plans for an industrial manufacturing centre in 2015, attending meetings and featuring in the development application.
The proposal has been referred to as a "food hub" and a "food collective" but would be one of the largest industrial sites in Byron Shire, dwarfing the nearby Bangalow industrial estate. Two local businesses, Salumi Australia and Brookfarm, have expressed interest in being tenants and it has been argued the site could stop producers having to leave the area, and it could create jobs.
The hefty price tag, originally estimated at $20 million, means the DA will not be decided by Byron Shire Council but by the state government. Local opposition is strong citing the development's size, traffic and impact on local amenity.
While Mr Elias features strongly in the DA and is a central figure in a host of companies in the Chase group, the company behind the Bangalow development is owned and controlled by Allan Abraham, Mr Elias' brother's brother-in-law, and a Byron Bay tobacco store franchisee.
Chase Lismore Road paid $1.9 million for the site in 2015 with works now estimated by some critics at closer to $30 million when development options are included.
Mr Abraham's FreeChoice store comes under the umbrella of the FreeChoice chain, controlled by the family of Mr Beynon, a prominent Gold Coast playboy known as the Candyman because of his lavish lifestyle. Mr Beynon is heir to a company of more than 200 stores founded by his parents, Trevor and Sandra.
Mr Beynon, known for his extravagant parties at his Gold Coast home dubbed the Candy Mansion, recently made headlines when an annual party saw seven ambulances called out to treat drunk and drugged revellers.
While Mr Abraham is making the running on the Bangalow building project, the source of financing for the complex is unclear. It's understood one option includes securing the DA and then selling the property, having improved its development value, rather than pushing through with the project.
While Mr Elias will take a back seat at the planning committee meeting on Thursday, the next day he will front Ballina court over driving offences and an apprehended violence order linked to his divorce. He has pleaded not guilty. It's understood he sought an AVO against his ex-wife as well.
Mr Elias is no stranger to controversy in Bangalow, after his plans for a shop development were knocked back by the council in 2014, a position that was later upheld by the Land and Environment Court. He was also involved in a land-clearing dispute near Old Bar on the north coast that resulted in a hefty fine.
He declined to comment when contacted by Fairfax Media. Mr Abraham could not be contacted.
