Emergency Hub Planned

A $28 million emergency services precinct will transform Byron Bay, providing state-of-the-art facilities for NSW Police and Fire and Rescue NSW.

The precinct will be built on a 6,500-square-metre Crown land site in the Sandhills Estate, with construction set to begin in early 2026.

NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb said the precinct would improve response times and provide modern, centrally located facilities.

“The facilities will be modern, in a centralised location with better connectivity, and mean we are better able to ensure the safety and wellbeing of both locals and visitors,” Webb said.

The $28 million project on the 6,500-square-metre crown land site in the Sandhills Estate will support frontline workers and shore up

facilities to meet the growing population’s demand.

Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley said the collaboration would strengthen the agencies’ capability to serve and protect the Byron Bay community.

“This project is a major investment to ensure they have the resources and facilities they need to continue this important work,” Catley said.

“The Minns Labor Government is supporting our police like never before – there’s never been a better time to join the NSW Police Force.”

The Sandhills Estate site was secured for the precinct through Aboriginal Land Agreements (ALAs) negotiated by Crown Lands, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, and the Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council.

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said the government was focused on building better communities. “It’s great to see Crown land being utilised to deliver a range of benefits for critical emergency services, Aboriginal outcomes, community recreation and environmental protection,” Kamper said.

“I thank the agencies, the NSW Aboriginal Land Council, Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council and Byron Shire Council for working together to secure an outcome that puts the needs of the community and our social infrastructure first.”

Member for Lismore and NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said it was a positive and practical project.

“Co-locating NSW Police and Fire and Rescue NSW on Crown land makes perfect sense to service Byron Shire’s future population growth and its year-round influx of visitors,”

Saffin said.

“This should be the model for future developments where our emergency services agencies outgrow existing sites and need purpose-built upgrades across the Northern Rivers region and beyond.”

Planning of the facility is underway, and construction is planned for early 2026.