Byron Shire Council has given long-term security to the Fletcher Street Cottage, a homelessness hub run by the Byron Community Centre.

Council owns the Fletcher Street Cottage in the heart of Byron Bay, and since 2021, it has provided a licence to the Byron Community Centre at minimum rent so it can provide valuable support services to people experiencing homelessness.

The Byron Community Centre currently has a five-year licence for the cottage, but from 2026 it will be replaced with a 15-year licence.

“Council is really proud to support Fletcher Street Cottage through a long-term licence as it provides such compassionate, practical and respectful support for some of our most vulnerable community members,” Byron Shire Mayor, Sarah Ndiaye, said.

“The cottage has 14 staff and 18 volunteers who provide breakfast for up to 80 people, four days a week, along with laundry services, showers, and connection to other important services.

“The hub is co-located with other services including a GP, a vet, housing, Centrelink and hairdressing,” Mayor Ndiaye said.

“General Manager of the Byron Community Centre, Louise O’Connell, addressed our June Council meeting and told us there had been a 260 per cent increase in women accessing services at the cottage in the last six months of 2024 so any support Council can give is directly benefiting our community.

“I also would like to acknowledge the work of Louise O’Connell, who recently announced she will be leaving the Byron Community Centre.

“In her six years at the helm of the Community Centre, she has made a wonderful contribution to the community, and on behalf of Council I wish her much success and happiness,” Mayor Ndiaye said.