Have your say on Mullumbimby Hospital site

MEMBERS of the community are being invited to have their say on the future of the Mullumbimby Hospital site, with the Draft Development Control Plan now on exhibition.

The Azalea Street site is undergoing redevelopment as a mix of affordable housing and community facilities. Following remediation, the 4.4-hectare site is slated for residential development, including public/Aboriginal housing.

The site, which was previously the Mullumbimby & District War Memorial Hospital, has been vacant since 2016, with local community groups lobbying to ensure the land is used for public good, such as community, social and affordable housing.

The draft plan sets out the guidelines for how the site can be developed, including the type, style and design of housing, where development will be allowed, pedestrian and cycling links from the site and vegetation management.

Byron Shire Council’s manager of environmental and economic planning Sharyn French said once approved, the DCP will provide Council and the community with clear guidelines on how the land can be developed.

“Put simply, this means that Council and the community will know exactly what sort of housing will be allowed to be built on the site, where it will be located and roughly what it should look like to fit in with the character of Mullumbimby,” she said.

“It will also provide clarity on the areas of the site that will be earmarked for environmental protection, landscaping guidelines and the location and types of any community facilities.”

People can read the Draft DCP and make a submission via the Your Say Byron Shire website before submissions close on Wednesday 6 May.

Council is running two drop-in sessions for people who want to talk to consultants about the DCP.

The sessions will be held at Council’s chambers in Mullumbimby on Monday 20 April from 1pm to 3.30pm and in the conference room at Council’s offices on Tuesday 21 April from 9.30am to 12pm.