Council wants Bayside emergency housing pods to stay on Council land
Published on 09 May 2025
Byron Shire Council is working to retain the emergency housing pods currently located at the Bayside Temporary Housing Village in Torakina Street, Brunswick Heads.
Mayor, Sarah Ndiaye, said Council was not prepared to stand back and see emergency housing, in the way of the pods, be lost from the Shire.
“Council intends to retain the nine pods currently on Council-owned land at Brunswick Heads and expand efforts to identify land to relocate the 18 remaining pods, currently located on privately-owned land,” Mayor Ndiaye said.
The housing pods, in Torakina Street are part of a larger installation of emergency housing in the Shire, that was built in response to the 2022 floods.
Residents in the 27 pods in Torakina Street were notified in early April that they would need to move out by 27 June.
“There has been no significant increase in housing supply in our shire over the last several years and to remove these temporary homes for people makes absolutely no sense,” Mayor Ndiaye said.
“In fact, it’s a move that could see even more people in the Shire without a roof over their head and as far as I am concerned that is not acceptable.
“Council wants to retain all 27 pods with the intention being to find an alternative site in the Byron Shire where they can be relocated.
“In the three years since the floods, no public, social or affordable housing has been delivered by the State and there is none in the pipeline, despite more than 600 social and public housing dwellings being destined for the Northern Rivers.
“Council is committed to making sure that we make the most of every opportunity to provide vital housing options for our residents,” Mayor Ndiaye said.
Planning to retain the pods builds on Council’s recent efforts to ensure that vital local emergency housing is retained in the Shire.
In 2024, Council provided in principle support for lease extensions at both Bayside and Tweed St sites.
Staff continue to work directly with the NSW Reconstruction Authority to support transition planning that provides meaningful housing outcomes for community members.