Planned joint Emergency Services Precinct in Byron Bay
The Sandhills Estate located in the heart of Byron Bay has been identified for activation in the Byron Bay Town Centre Masterplan.
In December 2024, Tweed Byron Local Aboriginal Land Council working with NSW Police, Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW), Crown Lands and Council generously made land available at Sandhills for a new $28 million joint Emergency Services Precinct.
The collaboration between the NSW Police and FRNSW strengthens the capability of each agency to serve and protect the Byron Bay community.
To accommodate the development, Byron Shire Council will extend nearby Tennyson Street to meet Gilmore Crescent to support vehicle access to the precinct and ensure efficient emergency response times across the local area.
Why is a new Byron Bay Fire Station needed?
The existing station at 3 Kingsley Street, built in 1978, is no longer fit for purpose with inadequate facilities for a modern workforce, no capacity for female firefighters, limited training space, no separation of clean/dirty areas, unsafe fire truck movements and significant parking issues for firefighters due to its location.
These constraints directly affect mobilisation times, community safety, firefighter wellbeing, and FRNSW’s ability to attract and retain on-call staff.
About the new Byron Bay Fire Station
The Emergency Services Precinct will provide FRNSW with a 2,000sqm block to build a new fit-for-purpose station. The new station will be environmentally sustainable and designed to incorporate future growth.
It will provide working and clean areas, improved training facilities which assist the progression of firefighter capabilities and in turn, community service outcomes.
The new fire station will include two engine bays, administration facilities, staff amenities, storage, fitness, recreation, training areas and staff parking. It will provide the space, facilities, and equipment to accommodate a full contingent of 19 on-call (retained) firefighters and a crew of five permanent dayshift firefighters. The finished building will include the provisions to expand in the future to a permanent 24-hour station.
Local firefighters have been consulted on the design of the new station and will continue to be involved as the plans progress.
Key dates
- December 2024 - Land made available at Sandhills for a new $28 million joint Emergency Services Precinct.
- December 2024 - Media announcement with Commissioner Fewtrell, Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib, the Minister for Police and Counter-terrorism Yasmin Catley and the NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb held on site.
- December 2025 - Public notification – required under State Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP)
- March 2026 – Expected planning approval
- March 2026 – Expected design complete
- April 2026 – Expected early site works
- May 2026 – Expected construction commences
- June 2027 – Expected station opening
Community updates
Surrounding residents, businesses and government will be kept informed as this process progresses.