Planning proposal for old Mullumbimby Hospital site on exhibition

A planning proposal to amend the Byron Local Environment Plan (LEP) to allow for the redevelopment of the old Mullumbimby Hospital site is on public exhibition.

The amendment to the Byron LEP is necessary to allow Council to change the zoning of the site from ‘infrastructure - health services’ to ‘general residential’ for the majority of the land along with a small section earmarked as ‘environmental conservation’. The aged care facility land will remain as is.

It will also provide for an increase in the height of buildings on the site from 9 metres to 11.5 metres.

The exhibition period will fnish on 11 February 2024.

A submission report will then go to Council before the fnal document is submitted to the NSW Government for approval.

“This has been a long process and we are making solid progress towards the goal of being able to turn the old hospital site into an asset for the community,”

Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon, said.

“To keep the process moving, we have also been working with the community via an Enquiry by Design process, to fnd out what people want to see on this site in terms of housing and facilities.

Three concept design options were produced at the Enquiry by Design workshops.

In the new year, a workshop with Councillors will consider key matters such as land tenure and minimum percentage of housing (affordable/conventional) to inform a fnancial feasibility plan. This will then further refne the concept designs.

“This land, which was once home to the town’s very valued hospital, has enormous potential to deliver much needed housing and community facilities,” Mayor Lyon said.

Information about the planning proposal and how to make a submission is on Council’s website.

Update on promised toilets for Nimbin

Member for Lismore

Janelle Saffn says in the New Year she wants to see work get underway on the new amenities block for Nimbin Peace Park.

“The Nimbin Community has been waiting more than 15 years for an amenity block with disabled access at the Peace Park to service the pool, children’s playground, skate park and tourist drop off area.

“It was one of my election commitments to secure the $400,000 for Lismore City Council to construct and maintain the much-needed toilets, a project that has the overwhelming support of Nimbin residents and the peak community groups like the Nimbin Advisory Group and the Nimbin Community Centre.

“The Government funding is set aside and ready to go and the Department of Regional

NSW, where the funding comes from, has told me Council needs to complete the detailed design and then they can apply for the funding to be released.

“People have been stopping me in the streets of Nimbin asking what’s happening and if the funding is there. I can assure residents that the funding is allocated and ready.

“It was great to be at the reopening of Nimbin Road in the lead up to Christmas, and having the amenities block going ahead in 2024 is more good news for locals and visitors to this popular tourist destination.

I will be closely following the progress of the Peace Park amenities block.