Byron Shire Council has revealed its plans to redevelop old Byron Bay hospital property

Proposed changes to transform the disused medical facility are “in the public interest”, according to a town planner’s report.

Plans for Byron Shire Council to redevelop to former Byron Bay hospital site are progressing.

The council voted in June to award a tender for the future management of the site to non-profit group Social Futures.

But before that organisation and other tenants move in to create a functioning community hub, the council plans to redevelop the site.

Planning firm Newton Denny Chapelle has lodged a development application on behalf of the council for works to create the community hub, to include a “community facility, office premises, light industry and restaurant or cafe components” as well as an educational facility.

According to the DA, an estimated $4.18 million worth of works would be involved to make the former hospital, at 10-12 Shirley Street, fit for its future purpose.

The repurposed building would have an array of uses, with a focus on not-for-profit community organisations.

The council voted to buy the old Byron Bay Hospital site from the NSW Government in May 19. They bought the land for $1.

This followed lengthy consultation with the community.

A steering committee, with the backing of council, worked on a proposal to reuse the site for various purposes as a community hub.

In a report prepared for the council, Karina Vikstrom from Newton Denny Chapelle said the DA was seeking to “formalise the ongoing use of the former hospital as a community hub as envisaged by the Steering Committee”.

“It also seeks to obtain approval for a range of works to the existing buildings to ensure that they are fit for purpose,” she said in the report.

The site is near the CBD end of Shirley Street, across the road from Byron Bay Police Station.

The DA has proposed internal and external changes to the building, including “repartitioning, cosmetic upgrades to the facade as well as more significant works such as the replacement of the existing roof structure over the northern half of the main building”.

According to the report, the property had contamination from asbestos sheeting, PCB electrical fittings, lead painted windows, non-compliant airconditioning units with ozone depleting gas, mould and radioactive sands.

But the property has been given environmental clearance for its intended use after the council implemented a Remediation Action Plan.

What was the hospital kitchen is slated to be retained as a commercial kitchen available for hire, particularly for non-profits helping those in need in the community.

The former hospital kiosk is meanwhile expected to operate as a cafe.

According to the report, a tertiary education provider, specifically an “established regional university”, is expected to be one of a group of tenants.

The broader community hub is proposed to mostly operate during business hours.

The proposed changes would not increase the height of the building or increase its floor area.

In her report’s conclusion, Ms Vikstrom said the proposed changes would “provide for centralised and affordable office space for (non-profit) community service providers” offering “a wide range of community benefits in the longer term” and would “provide improved access to education opportunities for local residents”.

“The proposal is considered to be in the public interest,” she wrote.