Lismore health centre could be taken out of action with residential plans

Described as an opportunity you would have to wait “another 40 years for”, the new owners say this former health building on flood-free site just minutes from town will be perfect as a home.

The residence used to be leased by Allied Health in the popular Lismore Health District. ​

The owners of a coveted former healthcare building have signalled their intentions to turn it back to a home.

Owners of 27 Uralba St have presented a “change of use” development application to Lismore City Council that would transform the premises from a commercial lease into a single residential building.

According to planning documents from applicant Gregory Stuart Bowering, the building was previously leased to the Aids Council of NSW (ACON) but has been vacant for more than 12 months.

Centred in the Northern NSW Health district, the existing building comprises of four bedrooms, three bathrooms, a kitchen and laundry.

There are also five carparks and a detached lock up garage.

27 Uralba St, Lismore. CREDIT: Google Images

According to Mr Bowering’s application, the house would not be the first in the region to go down this path.

“There is a residential house on the southern boundary, and two businesses in the allied health sector on the other two boundaries, which are Rekindling the Spirit on the western boundary and Breast Screen NSW on the eastern boundary,” he wrote.

He also wrote the application made sense given the spot’s growing property potential in a flood free zone, minutes away from the CBD.

Indeed, when it was last on the market, it was coined an opportunity you’d have to wait “another 40 years” for, according to its 2020 North Coast Commercial listing by Chris Harley.

Prior to being leased by ACON, it was owned by Robert and Joy Buck and was used as an obstetrician/ gynaecologist office. They sold it in the 1980s.

ACON now resides at Suite 4P Conway Court, 17 Conway St, since moving in October 2019.

The house is also known for its historical features, being “built sometime before 1920” and featuring “old world” style fireplaces and stained glass windows.

The application is currently on public exhibition and can be viewed here.