THE NSW Reconstruction Authority is releasing more homes for sale across the Northern Rivers after a very strong community response to the first-ever home relocation Expression of Interest process.
There will be a rolling release of homes available for auction and relocation, starting with 20 flood-affected properties in the Northern Rivers available online from today and more in the coming week.
This next release will include another 30 homes and build on the success of the first offering, which saw 31 homes made available for purchase and relocation in December 2024.
The Reconstruction Authority appointed PRD Northern Rivers to manage the sale process and received more than 130 offers for the initial 31 homes, with some properties attracting more than 10 individual offers.
PRD Northern Rivers are engaging with successful bidders from the first release to begin the contracting process, with homes to be relocated within 12 months.
The Reconstruction Authority remains firmly committed to reusing and relocating as many flood-affected homes as possible.
Most submissions for the EOI were from local community members who have land within the Northern Rivers.
Further details on the agents representing the next tranche of homes is available on the RA’s website.
Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:
“It’s great to see that there are so many people who are ready to buy and relocate homes that were bought back by the Reconstruction Authority.
“The demand from the public is there, and we want to resell as many homes as possible so people can relocate them to safer areas. I’m looking forward to seeing more homes available for purchase and relocation soon.”
“This isn’t just about making sure we keep using the existing housing infrastructure whenever possible, its also about making sure our region doesn’t lose its unique character while we help move people out of harm’s way.”
NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Mal Lanyon said:
“The people of the Northern Rivers told us that as well as having access to homes safely located away from floodplains, they wanted to retain and preserve where appropriate the sense of community by repurposing older homes in the area, and we are excited by the response from potential homeowners.”
“We know there are more people who are seeking homes, and we are working quickly to make more homes available to the community.”
HAPPY HOMEOWNERS: Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin inspects a buyback home in a flood-affected area of Kyogle, one of 50 properties to be offered for resale and relocation under the NSW Reconstruction Authority’s second Expression of Interest process. She is joined by Lindy Martyn, her partner Brett Fox and RA Executive Director Kristie Clarke PSM. Lindy sold her North Lismore home after losing everything in the 2017 flood and has been living in a farm shed on her rural property in the Kyogle LGA. Her dream of having a home again is coming true after she successfully bid for a buyback home in South Lismore, including a cubby house, carport and sheds, during the first EOI process. “I feel truly blessed to have this amazing opportunity to have a house that has such history and character, and is making a positive out of a negative,” Lindy said.
