A proposal for a development that will deliver up to 32 affordable housing dwellings on a Council carpark in Mullumbimby will move to tender after Byron Shire Council threw its support behind the project. 

The proposed development, at 57 Station Street, is a joint project between Council and Landcom, a state-owned corporation that works with government and the private and not-for-profit sectors to deliver housing projects that provide social and economic benefits to communities across NSW. 

The project involves the provision of up to 32 dwellings including studios, one- and two units for people on low to moderate incomes. In addition, there will be approximately 120m2 of retail/commercial space on the ground floor with Station Street frontage. 

“Council and Landcom announced plans for this important project in April this year and today we celebrated an important milestone,” Byron Shire Mayor, Michael Lyon, said. 

“Councillors agreed that Landcom will run a tender process to select a community housing provider to build and deliver the project,” Mayor Lyon said. 

“Council staff will also be a part of that process, which will ultimately result in Council entering into a lease with the successful community housing provider for the land with Council to retain ownership of the carpark. 

“All going well, an agreement will be finalised with the successful community housing partner in early 2023 and a development application will follow,” he said. 

“This is an example of Council making use of an existing carpark on the fringe of the Mullumbimby CBD to provide long-term, innovative solutions to our housing problems which are putting such a burden on our community, especially since the floods,” Mayor Lyon said. 

Landcom CEO, Alex Wendler, said strong working partnerships like this are vital for providing people with more affordable housing options. 

“Affordable housing is a significant issue for many communities in regional NSW and Landcom is excited to be partnering with Byron Shire Council on this opportunity,” Mr Wendler said. 

“This is the first affordable housing partnership between Landcom and a council in regional NSW and we applaud Byron Shire for its leadership on the issue. 

“This project is an important step in Landcom’s expansion into regional NSW and we are looking forward to new and innovative partnerships like this one to provide long-term affordable housing solutions for people across our State,” Mr Wendler said. 

It’s expected the development will be finished in 2025.