Social Futures is taking Expressions of Interest from potential tenants for the Byron CoLab on Arakwal Country. In partnership with the Byron Shire Council, we are transforming the old Byron Hospital site, and developing a for-purpose centre that connects people to their greatest potential and supports them to thrive. Byron Shire Council is redeveloping the site and expects to hand it over to Social Futures around August 2024.
The vision of the Byron CoLab is to:
increase availability of services that benefit the community (e.g. health, wellbeing, employment, education and cultural)
establish a space for community to connect, collaborate and strengthen the social fabric of the Byron Shire
improve social outcomes to increase resilience for the people of Byron Bay Shire.
Tenancy options
Social Futures invites for-purpose community and commercial organisations that align with the Byron CoLab vision to apply for tenancy. Social Futures has established three rental tiers to support tenants:
1. Commercial for-purpose businesses
2. Commercial discounted (for-profit community service providers)
3. Discounted (not-for-profit community service providers, limited space with a range of discounts)
Spaces available for tenancy
Community precinct
The community space will have a range of micro and larger offices, as well as co-working spaces available.
Example tenancies include health services, youth and family services, aged care, NDIS, community groups and cultural organisations.
Discounted rates for not-for-profit organisations may be applied to these tenancies.
Commercial precinct
The commercial space will host health, allied health and wellbeing practitioners, and socially or environmentally focused businesses.
Example tenancies include medical services, allied health services, café, and information services. Tenancies here will be prioritised to organisations that most aligns with vision to support community connection.
Byron Shire Council submitted a DA to their Council in July 2021. Following its approval in December 2022, Byron Shire Council appointed a builder to redevelop the site.
Works are well underway and on track for completion in August 2024.
Once redevelopment of the site is complete, it will be managed by us, a not-for-profit community service organisation Social Futures, with community support from the following:
Community Advisory Group (currently active and ongoing) – comprising of 11 members including Arakwal Traditional Custodians, people from the business community, the creative arts and Byron’s multicultural community.
Tenant Site Management Committee (to be established closer to opening).
When the centre opens and tenants are in place, the Community Advisory Group and tenants will work cooperatively to discuss community events and activities at the site.
Expressions of Interest are welcome from prospective tenants who share the vision to support community wellbeing and connection.
Some examples of tenants could include allied health and wellbeing practitioners, youth and family services, education providers, community groups or cultural organisations.
The centre aims to include a mix of not-for-profit and for-profit organisations, all of which will provide a service of purpose to the community.
Expressions of Interest are still being accepted and interested parties are encouraged to apply.
There is strong interest from not-for-profit community organisations and good for-purpose driven commercial organisations.
When management of the property is handed over to Social Futures, prospective tenants who have expressed interest will be able to enter into formal lease agreements.
The community has informed Council that the building has historical and emotional significance to the community. For these reasons the community requested that the building be refurbished and retained.