Community hub opens its doors

THE former Byron Bay Hospital has reopened as Byron CoLab, a community hub on Arakwal Country, following collaboration between all levels of government and the local community.

The facility officially opened last week with a Welcome to Country ceremony by Uncle Brian Kelly, whose older brother was born at the original hospital.

Closed in 2016 with the opening of the new hospital at Ewingsdale, the site was nearly sold to developers or converted into a hotel.

However, in 2019, Byron Shire Council persuaded the NSW Government to sell it to them for $1 to realise the community’s vision for the space.

With $2.7 million in State and Federal government grants, the site has been transformed into a hub for health, welfare, education, and cultural services.

While still owned by the Council, it is now managed by not-for-profit organisation Social Futures, which helped establish a mix of community and commercial spaces.

Social Futures chief executive Tony Davies said the centre provides was a much needed community space in the heart of town.

“As custodians of this special place, our partnership with the community advisory group remains essential to its successful management and we are excited to see the space being embraced by the local community,” Mr Davies said.

Byron Community College, Northern Rivers Community Foundation, Barefoot Law, and The Family Centre are among the first occupants, along with a café and bike hire point by Byron Bay Bikes.

The building features reclaimed bridge timber and displays artwork by local Indigenous artists, reflecting its community-focused design.

A Community Advisory Group, including Arakwal Traditional Custodians and members of the local business, arts, and multicultural communities, will continue to guide Social Futures in shaping the hub’s evolution.

For bookings of co-working spaces, meeting rooms, or micro-offices, visit socialfutures.org.au/service/byroncolab