Commnity Consultation – 80 Butler & 12 Bay Street Byron Bay

DD Resort Living Byron Bay Pty Ltd & the Trustees for PHD Investments Trust (ABN 44 813 989 483) are the proponents for the retirement living development proposed at Butler Street with an associated clubhouse at Bay Street in Byron Bay.
Mr David Devine heads up this project. Since founding his first development company in 1984, David Devine has become one of Australia’s most respected property leaders. The hallmarks of a David Devine project are its timeless design and enduring quality.

Approval of this project will permit people aged 60 or older or with a disability to reside at Oasis. People who can reside in the development also include those living in the same household as a senior or a person with a disability. Additionally, staff employed to assist with administration and the provision of services to the accommodation can reside in the development.

There are a number of reasons why redeveloping the existing caravan park for retirement living is desirable:

• The existing Caravan park is well-located near the town centre, transport, shops and services — exactly what seniors need for independent living

• Existing utility connections (water, sewerage, power) are available to the site

• The site is flat and accessible, suited to mobility-friendly design

• The ageing population creates strong unmet demand for purpose-built seniors’ accommodation
• Well-designed retirement living projects can house far more people on the same site as a regular caravan park

• Purpose-built retirement living offers better safety, accessibility and amenity than ageing caravan infrastructure
• Modern buildings are more energy efficient, better insulated and more efficient to run
• Retirement living projects often include shared facilities — communal spaces, gardens, care services — that improve residents’ health and social wellbeing

• Generates council rates revenue, construction jobs and ongoing economic activity
• Attracts private investment in aged care and retirement living sectors

• Dedicated Retirement living communities can reduce social isolation
• Retirement living projects can free up larger family homes in the broader market if downsizers move in

Yes. The project is being architecturally designed to blend in with the surrounding area, with features like:
✔️ Low-rise design (no high-rise or large-scale buildings)
✔️ Landscaping and tree planting to soften visual impacts
✔️ Building materials and colours chosen to reflect the local style
✔️ Thoughtful setbacks and buffer zones from neighbouring properties
The proponent is committed to designing sensitively to respect the look and feel of Byron Bay.

A multidisciplinary team is involved in preparing the Oasis Byron Bay project. Key consultants are listed as follows:
Koichi Takada Architects and HGA Studio – Architects
GREEN CARE PROJECT – Landscape Architect
Biodiversity Australia – Environmental Consultant
Concise Certification – Building Certifier
ECL Power Services – Specialist Consultant
ENV Solution – Environmental Consultant
Douglas Partners – Geotechnical Engineer
Geolink – Bushfire Assessment Consultant
Gilbert and Sullivan – Environmental Consultant
Acoustic works – Noise Consultant
Partners Energy –BASIX Certifier
PLANIT Consulting – Civil Engineering and Traffic Consultants
PLANNERS NORTH – Town Planning Consultant

A Traffic Impact Assessment will be undertaken as part of the planning process. The project will include on-site parking for residents, in accordance with Council requirements.
Traffic generation is expected to be low, given the character of retirement living projects and residents’ ability to walk, cycle, or use on-site minibus transport.

The primary law that covers caravan parks with permanent residents is the Residential (Land Lease) Communities Act 2013 (known as “land lease communities”). Permanent residents have rights and obligations under both this Act and the Residential Tenancies Act 2010. This Act has strong controls on when an operator may give a permanent resident a termination notice if the caravan park is to close and be used for another purpose. Further, if a permanent resident is given a termination notice for closure or a change of use, the operator must try to help find new accommodation. If there is any dispute about termination, relocation, or compensation, residents can apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT).

Retirement living projects are in town planning law terms “seniors housing”. Seniors housing is permitted at this 80 Butler Street site under the Byron Local Environmental Plan 2014 and is also permissible under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Housing). The Bay Street “clubhouse” is, in town planning terms, a mixed-use development involving a “respite day care centre” for a large part of the activities carried out on the site and at the frontage, a “Restaurants or cafes” land use. Both of these land uses are permissible under the E1 Local Centre zoning at the Bay Street site.

Statement Environmental Planning Policy (Planning Systems) 2021 specifies whether projects are “State Significant Development” or “Regionally Significant Development”. If the project included an element that provided a “residential care facility”, then the application would have been a State Significant Development Application and would not be lodged with Byron Shire Council. Because the development has an estimated cost exceeding $30 million, it is designated as a “Regionally Significant Development”. This means that Byron Shire Council will receive the development application, manage the public exhibition of the development application and complete a full assessment of the application. However, the Regional Planning Panel will make the final decision in relation to the project.

We understand that neighbourhood amenity is important. The proponents’ goal is for the development to integrate quietly and respectfully into the existing community.

No. This is not government-funded social housing. It is a private retirement living project.

By providing housing for seniors:
✔️ Help local businesses retain staff
✔️ Reduce commuting pressures
✔️ Support Byron Bay’s economy by keeping more people living locally and spending locally

The project aligns with both:
Byron Shire Council’s Residential Strategy 2041
NSW Government Regional Housing Taskforce Recommendations

We are currently seeking feedback from residents, businesses, and other stakeholders.
You can:
→ Attend one of our drop-in sessions
→ Complete our online feedback form
→ Contact our team directly
All community feedback will be summarised in a Community Engagement Outcomes Report submitted with our Development Application to Byron Shire Council.

Construction is estimated to commence in mid-2027. Construction activity will run for approximately 3 years.

Yes. The project will incorporate sustainable design principles, such as:
✔️ Water-sensitive landscaping
✔️ Energy-efficient fixtures
✔️ Passive design to reduce energy use
✔️ Encouragement of low-car living through location near services and public transport

Every development application in Byron Shire is assessed on its own merits against the planning controls that apply at the time. This project is being specifically designed to meet current zoning and planning controls, as well as guidelines for apartment design and seniors housing. Further, the design is being tailored to address a community need.

The Butler Street buildings will be elevated above flooding and designed with materials that cannot be impacted by flood waters. Services such as electrical and heating/ventilation will be placed above maximum flood levels, further increasing the flood resilience of the building for well-designed retirement living accommodation.

We want to hear from you!
→ See feedback form linked here
→ Attend the community information session Wednesday 10 June 2026 (bookings required)
→ Contact our team directly (consultation@plannersnorth.com.au)
Your feedback will help shape the final proposal before submission.