Byron Shire Council has been offered the opportunity to acquire the Mullumbimby and District War Memorial Hospital site.

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said the NSW Government was willing to consider a reasonable offer from Council but it needs to be made quickly otherwise remediation works will commence.

“The Parliamentary Secretary for Northern NSW, Ben Franklin has let me know in no uncertain terms that the local community would like to have a look at some options around the old hospital site,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Having heard that message the Government is willing to put demolition works on hold if the Council can get something to us in the next 28 days which guarantees public safety and benefit.

“Given the latest report’s indication of the amount of asbestos located throughout the buildings our experts tell us the best and safest outcome for locals is to demolish the structures on the site.

“But if the local council, with local knowledge, has a local perspective and an interest in purchase (which I have read it has publically stated), the NSW Government is willing to have discussions with Byron Shire Council to acquire the site.”

Mr Hazzard said he wants full transparency about all issues to do with the site and to that end the community. For more information, please refer to NSW Health Infrastructure​​.

It is necessary to sell the site because the deal was always that the taxpayers’ commitment of $88 million for the new Byron Central Hospital would be to some degree offset by the sale price of the Mullumbimby and the Byron Bay hospital sites.