DELIVERING SOCIAL and community benefits will be at the top of Council’s agenda in early 2018 when it seeks partnership proposals for the master planning and redevelopment of the former South Byron Sewerage Treatment Plant site in Suffolk Park.
Byron Shire Council Mayor Simon Richardson said Council was piloting a new partnership approach and looking for innovative and visionary thinking from the market.
“We have a commitment to making sure our valuable and strategically important land assets deliver a long-term community benefit – this could be social, environmental and financial,” he said.
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Council will be embarking on an expression of interest (EoI) process in early 2018 to seek partnership proposals for a long-term ground lease where the community keeps the land and assets built on it at the end of the lease.
“Retaining key sites such as the decommissioned South Byron STP as an asset for long-term community benefit presents us with a significant opportunity to achieve outcomes for the community and solve problems that we simply cannot achieve on our own, due to funding constraints,” he said.
“It is an exciting time for Council and we look forward to exploring what the private and non-government sectors such as not-for-profits, philanthropists and other groups can bring to the table.”
“To ensure we don’t stifle innovation in the EoI process, we haven’t specified land use or development requirements for the site and we are open to all options.
“This could include education, living and active community, affordable housing, childcare, aged care and environmental, biodiversity and cultural areas,” he said.
Given the strategic location of the 7.76 hectare site at the southern entrance to Byron Bay, the site has the potential to host a landmark development that will be a catalyst to stimulate social, community and environmental benefits in particular, but also beneficial economic outcomes for Council and ratepayers.
Council’s adopted EoI Vision statement for the former South Byron STP site, including aims and objectives, council requirements and anticipated development statements can be viewed in full on Council’s website: www.byron.nsw.gov.au/partnerships.
Neighbours and stakeholders will be briefed during the expression of interest process which will commence in February/March and be available on Council’s website.
Council has deferred the EoI process for Lot 12 Bayshore Drive, Byron Bay, pending outcomes of the investigation into regional economic development initiatives and grant opportunities.
For further information contact Phil Warner, Major Projects, on 6626 7000.