A mental health and wellbeing hub bringing several local services under one roof is proposed for the former Safe Haven building in Mullumbimby.
Byron Shire Council staff recommend awarding a licence for the demountable building at 15 Tincogan Street to a preferred applicant following an expressions of interest process.
Councillors will consider the recommendation at their October 15 meeting. The proposed licence would run until August 16, 2029, with an annual fee of $2,000, subject to public notice and licence negotiations.
The preferred applicant’s identity and the evaluation panel’s assessment are contained in a confidential attachment to the report.
Three organisations applied: The Buttery, in partnership with Mullumbimby and District Neighbourhood Centre; Rekindling the Spirit; and Mind & Body Holistic Hub Inc.
The proposed hub would bring together existing mental health and allied support services, rather than have a single service operating from the building.
‘The proponent proposes to engage a General Practitioner (GP) to provide face-to-face and telehealth appointments for mental health care plans for individuals,’ the staff report states.
The model includes counselling, mental health support, assistance finding and accessing care, psychosocial support, alcohol and other drug support, and early intervention for young people.
Regular group programs would be delivered at no or low cost. The report says bringing multiple organisations into the building would help reduce barriers to accessing services, including transport.
Council acquired the building from Healthy North Coast for $1, with ownership transferring on July 1 after disaster recovery funding for the Mullumbimby Safe Haven service ended on June 30.
Safe Haven was established following the 2022 Northern Rivers floods, providing free mental health support to people experiencing distress during disaster recovery.
Council’s expressions of interest process opened on August 7 and closed on September 4. Applications were assessed by representatives of Healthy North Coast, Northern NSW Local Health District and Council.
The assessment considered community need, safe service delivery, organisational capacity, local partnerships, cultural safety, accessibility and finances.
Under the proposed licence, the operator would meet electricity and operational costs, hold insurance and report annually to Council on service use and outcomes.
Staff would also negotiate the balance between clinical and non-clinical activities and agreements with participating providers.
If councillors support the recommendation, the proposed licence would be publicly exhibited for 28 days before being finalised.
The public report does not specify an opening date for the proposed hub.
It also notes that an estimated $20,000 cost to decommission the building remains unfunded, with a funding approach yet to be determined.
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