The transformation of the old Byron Hospital into a mixed-use community hub is finally nearing completion, with the key players looking to an official opening in spring.
Five years after the dilapidated precinct was sold to Byron Council for $1, the $6.5 million refurbishment of the site is nearly finished.
Once the final lick of paint has been added, the famous Shirley Street precinct will begin its new life as a multi-purpose hub featuring education, community and commercial operations.
Key to this process will be Council handing over responsibility for the hub to Social Futures, the local not-for-profit organisation which will manage the site for at least the next 20 years.
Social Futures says it is hopeful that the hub, which they have named the ‘Byron CoLab on Arakwal Country’, will officially open in October.
‘I’m genuinely excited about the positive impact the Byron CoLab on Arakwal Country will bring to the Byron community, building on the already rich culture of innovation, creativity, and inclusivity,’ Social Futures CEO Tony Davies told The Echo this week.
‘My commitment, along with Social Futures and the Byron Shire Council, remains steadfast in exploring new models for lasting community benefits,’ he said.
A Social Futures spokesperson said the organisation was expecting the Council to handover responsibility for the hub in August.
It would then undertake minor works to prepare for tenancies, which would take four to six weeks.
‘We are hoping the official opening will be in a few months’ time, possibly October,’ the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson said it was not yet able to reveal the names of prospective tenants for the site, but that it was in discussions with a range of organisations from the not-for-profit and commercial sectors.
EoI ongoing
She said that Southern Cross University, which had previously been discussed as a future tenant, had changed its plans and was no longer looking at the Byron location.
‘The Expression of Interest (EoI) phase is ongoing,’ the spokesperson said.
‘We look forward to being able to sign leases with tenants once management is handed over.’
The upcoming opening of the community hub is a major milestone in the history of the site and for the community members who volunteered countless hours of their time to keep land in community hands after the closure of the old hospital in 2016.
In particular, the Community Steering Committee undertook significant lobbying of the state government and also created a formal repurposing proposal in 2018.
Since taking over the site in May 2017, Council has sunk millions into the redevelopment, including the long and costly process of removing all asbestos and other hazardous materials.
The past 12 months has seen the entire roof on the northern section of the main building replaced, and major internal work undertaken.
All internal partitioning has been demolished and the building repartitioned into a series of discrete tenancies comprising a mix of sizes and configurations to meet the varying needs of future tenants. The dilapidated hospital kitchen has been turned into a modern commercial kitchen, which will be available for hire, with priority given to not-for-profit groups providing food to community members in need.
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