Byron Council Grants 15 Year Licence to Fletcher Street Cottage
With long-term stability now in place, the community hub still relies on donations to meet the rising demand.
Front L-R: Amanda Peters (Cottage Keeper), Nadia Cardack (Community Support Worker) and Will Conley (Community Support Worker/Daily Coordinator/Assistant Breakfast Coordinator)
Back L-R: Damian Farrell (Manager), Victor Salamanca (Community Support Worker), Sue Davis (Community Support Worker), Maddi Powell (Assistant Manager/Community Support Worker), Suzanne Flowerday (Welcome Worker/Community Support Worker) and Steve Strang (Breakfast Coordinator)
By Kate Love
Fletcher Street Cottage, Byron Bay’s dedicated community services hub operated by the Byron Community Centre, has secured a new long-term licence agreement that ensures that services can remain in place and continue growing to meet urgent need.
The building at 18 Fletcher Street, located in the town centre, is owned by Byron Shire Council. Since 2021, the Byron Community Centre has held a licence to operate the service at minimum rent, allowing essential homelessness support to be delivered from the site.
The current five-year agreement will transition to a 15-year licence from 2026, providing the long-term stability needed to plan for the future and strengthen local impact. Now assured of its ongoing location in Byron Bay, Fletcher Street Cottage continues to rely on donations to deliver daily support and specialist programs.
“This is a turning point for our team and the people we support,” says Louise O’Connell, General Manager of the Byron Community Centre. “Knowing we have a long-term base gives us the confidence to expand what we offer and to approach funders with a clear and stable vision for the future.”
The licence provides long-term stability at the site, allowing the Byron Community Centre to retain skilled staff, attract funding and expand programs, such as the Women’s Space. With the agreement in place, the team is focused on meeting growing demand, particularly from women and older people in crisis.
Since opening in April 2022, Fletcher Street Cottage has welcomed more than 34,000 visits. It is currently open Tuesday to Friday from 7am to 12pm, with a vision to reopen on Mondays for Women’s Space, and operates as a welcoming, low-barrier entry point for people seeking practical and emotional support.
As well as offering daily essentials like meals and showers, Fletcher Street Cottage houses more than 15 co-located services including Centrelink, housing and mental health outreach, legal support, and GP and veterinary care.
“Fletcher Street Cottage has become a vital point of connection and care,” says Damian Farrell, Manager of Fletcher Street Cottage. “Securing its future means we can build on what’s working, especially our targeted support for women and other vulnerable community members who are too often left behind.”
The Byron Community Centre has invested around $500,000 in renovations since 2021, transforming it into a professionally equipped hub for community care. Fletcher Street Cottage is staffed by 14 employees and supported by 110 volunteers, with operational funding drawn from philanthropic donations, government grants and community contributions.
While the licence guarantees Fletcher Street Cottage’s place in the community, the Byron Community Centre says ongoing donations are critical to maintaining and expanding services.
“We’re grateful to the Council for backing our work with a long-term commitment,” says Bec Robinson, Relationships Manager. “But what keeps the doors open, every day, is the generosity of our supporters. The need is real, and community support is what allows us to respond to it with compassion, dignity and care.”
For more information or to donate, visit: www.flectcherstreetcottage.com.au.
Byron Community Centre
The Byron Community Centre is an independent not-for-profit organisation that provides essential services, including meals, advocacy and counselling, and arts and social programs for the whole community.
For more information, please see www.byroncentre.com.au.
Fletcher Street Cottage
Tuesday - Friday, 7am - 12pm | www.fletcherstreetcottage.com.au
Weekly Women’s Afternoon (details private for security)