Mullumbimby Scout Hall faces demolition

Mullumbimby’s flood-damaged former Scout Hall could soon be demolished and replaced with open parkland under a proposal going before Byron Council today.

Council staff are recommending the removal of the troubled building, now known as the Mullumbimby Community Hall, at the western end of Burringbar Street. The hall has been repeatedly damaged by flooding, with engineers identifying major structural problems following the 2022 floods, including cracking, subsidence, concrete cancer, and extensive water damage.

A May 2024 Council report estimated the building could be restored and raised above the one-in-100-year flood level for between $360,000 and $400,000, with Council’s executive team at the time supporting a modified single-storey redesign.

But a later tender process came in well above budget, with the estimated cost of the project now blowing out to more than $1.15 million.

The latest report says the building has deteriorated while sitting vacant.

‘Since this time the building has been continuously vandalised,’ the report states.

‘Every window has been smashed and subsequently boarded over. Rough sleepers and youths are still managing to gain access to the building on a regular basis. There continues to remain a high risk of further damage and possible fire.’

Council staff have presented four options for the site, ranging from continuing to maintain the building while seeking grant funding, through to demolition and conversion to parkland.

Their preferred option is to demolish and return the site to open space.

Concept plans attached to the report show a landscaped ‘parklet’ featuring seating areas, gathering spaces, improved river access and potential shade structures.

The report notes that community feedback would be sought on future embellishments if demolition proceeds. Councillors will consider the proposal at their 21 May meeting.