Charity, The Buttery, to expand in push to ‘reinvigorate’ forgotten CBD space

“The premises has been empty for over a year... the flow on effects are that more money will be spent in local businesses with people sourcing lunches and groceries”.

The Buttery headquarters at Binna Burra.

A vital Northern Rivers charity could be set for expansion in Lismore, with a plan to “reinvigorate” a forgotten part of the CBD.

The Buttery has been granted a one-year lease over a former set of Dawson St offices, with hopes to transform the space into individual and small group counselling rooms.

The not-for-profit organisation runs a variety of residential and community-based programs out of its Binna Burra headquarters, specialising in the treatment of alcohol and other drug misuse, problem gambling and mental health issues.

According to the development application before Lismore City Council, while already delivering counselling and outreach services out of various hired premises across Lismore, the “community facility” development would “centralise its operations and delivery of crucial community services.”

It would also revive the forgotten 115 Dawson St premises.

“The economic impacts of the proposed development are that it will reinvigorate Dawson Street,” the application read.

“The premises has been empty for over a year and with the Buttery moving in and being able to operate its counselling services, it will bring workers and participants to the Lismore CBD.

“The flow on effects are that more money will be spent in the CBD local businesses with people sourcing lunches and groceries etc.

“And the long vacant building will have some life breathed back into it.”

It is expected the premises would operate 8am-5pm, Monday to Friday.

There will be no proposed construction as part of the development.

This development application is currently on exhibition, via this link.