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Byron Shire
November 9, 2026

$100m Ballina seniors housing plan nears end of exhibition as CEO departs

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A $100.3 million redevelopment of St Andrew’s Village in Ballina is nearing the end of its public exhibition period as the organisation prepares for the departure of its long-serving chief executive.

An artist’s impression of the proposed redevelopment of St Andrews Village in Ballina. Image: Calderflower Architecture

The State Significant Development application for the Cherry Street site is open for submissions until Thursday, September 17.

The proposal would see existing buildings demolished and replaced with four new buildings of up to three storeys, including 79 independent-living units, 10 hostel beds and a five-bed residential aged-care facility.

Plans also include communal facilities and 91 car spaces across the 1.82-hectare site.

St Andrew’s CEO Todd Yourell has meanwhile announced he will leave the organisation next month after almost five years in the role. There is no indication his departure is connected to the redevelopment.

‘After careful consideration, I have resigned from my position as CEO of St Andrew’s Village Ballina & Byron Bay, with my final day being 16 October 2026,’ Mr Yourell said.

He said his time at St Andrew’s had involved ‘considerable change and development’ and that he was proud of what had been achieved.

‘I am particularly proud of what we have achieved and of the foundations now in place for St Andrew’s next chapter,’ he said.

Planning documents estimate the redevelopment would create 274 construction jobs and five ongoing operational positions.

The proposal has an estimated capital investment value of $100.3 million and a maximum building height of just over 15 metres.

St Andrew’s Village Ballina Ltd is the applicant, with Urbis acting as planning consultant and Calderflower as architect.

Public submissions can be lodged through the NSW Planning Portal until Thursday.



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