Plans for a new, state-of-the-art emergency services precinct in Byron Bay for NSW Police and Fire and Rescue NSW were announced on Tuesday.
According to the NSW Labor government media release, the $28 million project will be built on a 6,500-square-metre section of Crown land, within the Sandhills Estate, on the eastern side of Gilmore Crescent, opposite the Youth Activities Centre (YAC).
The media statement reads, ‘$20 million was originally allocated in July 2022 to rebuild the Byron Bay police station on its current site. However, size constraints and heritage considerations made redevelopment at that location unfeasible.’
‘At the same time, the local fire station was identified as requiring significant upgrades.
‘To address these challenges, Fire and Rescue NSW allocated an additional $8 million, allowing both services to be co-located at a new emergency services precinct.
‘Planning of the facility is underway and construction is expected to begin in early 2026 and finish by the end of 2027.
‘The Sandhills Estate, a 19-hectare area adjacent to the Byron Bay CBD, was historically used for sand mining and is now the focus of extensive planning and redevelopment.
‘The site was secured for the precinct through Aboriginal Land Agreements (ALAs) negotiated by Crown Lands, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, and the Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council, settling outstanding land claims and interests’.
The statement adds, ‘By co-locating NSW Police and Fire and Rescue NSW, the precinct will ensure efficient, resilient, and centrally located services for years to come’.
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