Byron Hospital Site Redevelopment:

Byron Shire Council is managing the transformation of the former Byron Hospital and once complete will appoint not-for-profit Social Futures to manage a social impact community-based and for-purpose centre.

This project is the result of significant community action that led to NSW Health selling the site to the Council in 2019 to be used as a dedicated community space, bringing together community service providers, for-purpose organisations and businesses with a shared goal of supporting the Byron community to thrive. 

The Council is in the process of completing a development application, planning, construction and site redevelopment work. 

Social Futures’ role is to:

  • Secure and manage the site tenancies and operations to provide a mix of for-purpose, tertiary education, the arts/creative industries, health and wellbeing, and community services on the site
  • Ensure a mixed tenancy model that is financially viable, able to meet operation and maintenance costs, site improvement requirements and creates a community return into the future.
  • Maximise the income generated and oversee the distribution of any profits generated from the site management to Byron community groups and/or projects to expand their impact through provision of funding.
Social Futures Workers Sacha Dartiguenave And Isan Boehning At The Old Hospital Site

Byron Hospital Site Redevelopment:

The Community Advisory Group

Social Futures CEO Tony Davies said the new community advisory group had 11 members and included Arakwal Traditional Custodians, people from the business community, the creative arts and Byron’s multicultural community.

“We had advertised for eight members for the advisory group, but the calibre of applications was so outstanding that we ended up with 11,” he said.

“They are a wonderful and wise cross-section of the Byron Bay community. We know their advice will be invaluable in setting up a dynamic community hub with a mix of community services, health, the arts and education, and for-purpose companies.

“We look forward to working closely with our community advisory group.”

What is the role of the Community Advisory Group?

The Advisory Group  will provide practical advice, community insight and linkages to community to:

  • deliver on a shared community vision for the site
  • identify and make recommendations on permanent/long term tenancy applications and mix based on community needs, service gaps and opportunities
  • make recommendations on site fit out, landscaping and operations requirements
  • provide guidance on the mechanism to distribute income and profits generated from the facility to local community groups and/or projects (e.g. funding to expand impact, small grants program, local community development collaborative projects).

The Advisory Group will meet quarterly until the site is operational, which is estimated to be August 2023.

 

Further Information 

Adrian Nolan

Senior Manager – Business and Strategy

Phone:  0439 652 638 Email: [email protected]

Byron The Hub Image Child Happy