REBUILDING across the Northern Rivers continues to gain momentum as homes are relocated and safer land is officially unlocked for more homes.
Through the Resilient Lands and Resilient Homes programs, the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is turning long-term commitments into tangible results – delivering new housing options, securing land for flood impacted residents, and creating clear precinct masterplans to protect the region’s future.
The Resilient Lands Program is delivering flood-free land at priority sites and supporting local councils with critical enabling infrastructure across the Northern Rivers. Key projects include:
- Mount Pleasant Estate (Goonellabah): The first homes and land are already delivered. Contracts are underway for initial sales, including four relocated homes, two of 18 vacant lots, and a community title unit. Resilient Homes Program buyback participants retain first priority, with public releases to follow.
- North Lismore (Dunoon Road): 76 lots will be unlocked in the coming months. Homes NSW is engaging civil contractors to start a pre-sales process giving buyback participants given the first opportunity to purchase.
- East Lismore (Crawford Road): Awaiting final DA approval for around 100 dwellings, including 19 lots set aside for relocated buyback homes. Pre-construction planning is underway via Landcom.
- East Lismore: A pipeline of 500+ flood-free housing lots is progressing following the release of the draft masterplan, for community feedback, in July.
The RA is also working with councils and delivery partners to accelerate rezoning at key sites, including enabling infrastructure funding at Saddle Road in Byron, Summerland Estate in Casino and Junction Hill in Clarence Valley.
The Resilient Homes Program continues to support households across the Northern Rivers through buybacks, resilient measures and the relocation and reuse of homes, with:
- 990 buyback offers made to date.
- 502 Resilient Measures grants approved.
- 1,450+ home assessments completed.
- 160 buyback homes sold at auction for relocation, with 80+ homeowners directly relocating or gifting their existing homes.
- 100+ buyback homes and 250 temporary housing pods made available for community reuse via the Homes Reuse Program (Expression of Interest closes Monday 19 October).
- 450+ homeowners directly supported to salvage materials prior to site works.
Future land use planning
The RA is partnering with local councils to identify safe, appropriate and community-supported uses for land acquired through the Resilient Homes Program to help build long-term resilience.
- Lismore: Precinct plansare underway for Lismore Centre, East Lismore, South Lismore, and North Lismore to establish practical, flood-compatible uses.
- South Murwillumbah: Partnering with Tweed Shire Council on the South Murwillumbah Master Plan to identify land use opportunities and improve precinct connections, with community input for over coming months.
RA is supporting council planning for buyback land around Anzac Park in Kyogle, across Casino and Richmond Valley villages, Burringbar and Mooball in Tweed Shire, and across the Northern Rivers, with consultants supporting technical analysis, community engagement, flood-compatible use and future ownership options.
Community consultation on long-term precinct plans across the Northern Rivers will continue into early 2027.
Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:
“We are seeing real, physical progress on the ground, and it is changing lives.
“This is about giving Northern Rivers families real choices and a clear path forward on safer ground.
“Every home relocated and every lot unlocked represents another family securing their future right here in our community.
“We are taking buyback land, restoring purpose to these areas, and pairing them with high-ground housing options so our towns remain connected, resilient, and strong.”
NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Kate Fitzgerald said:
“We committed to unlocking safer land for housing, and at the same time, we are continuing to relocate and reuse buyback homes wherever possible and working with communities on appropriate uses for the land left behind.
“We are turning commitments into tangible outcomes, from safer homes and new housing opportunities to clear plans for the future of buyback land.”
