The NSW Government is pointing to homes being relocated and hundreds of safer housing lots progressing across the Northern Rivers, three months after a damning audit of its $980 million flood recovery programs.

Minister for Recovery and Lismore MP Janelle Saffin says there is now “real, physical progress on the ground”, with the Reconstruction Authority releasing an extensive update on the Resilient Homes and Resilient Lands programs.

It follows the NSW Auditor-General’s May report into the $880 million Resilient Homes Program and $100 million Resilient Lands Program, which found both had been poorly planned and suffered significant delays.

At the end of March, the audit found the Resilient Lands Program had not delivered any homes or housing lots despite being established following the catastrophic 2022 floods.

Three months on, the government says homes and land have been delivered at Mount Pleasant Estate in Goonellabah, where contracts are underway for four relocated homes, two of 18 vacant lots and a community title unit.

Another 76 lots at Dunoon Road in North Lismore are expected to be unlocked in coming months, with buyback participants to receive the first opportunity to purchase.

At Crawford Road in East Lismore, plans for about 100 dwellings are awaiting final development approval, including 19 lots earmarked for relocated buyback homes.

A further pipeline of more than 500 flood-free housing lots is progressing in East Lismore following the release of a draft masterplan in July.

The Reconstruction Authority is also working with councils to accelerate rezoning and infrastructure at other sites, including Saddle Road in Byron Shire, Summerland Estate in Casino and Junction Hill in the Clarence Valley.

Under the Resilient Homes Program, 990 buyback offers have now been made, 502 Resilient Measures grants approved and more than 1450 home assessments completed.

The government says 160 buyback homes have been sold at auction for relocation, while more than 80 homeowners have directly relocated or gifted their existing homes.

More than 100 buyback homes and 250 temporary housing pods have also been made available for community reuse.

Saffin said each home relocated and lot unlocked represented another family able to secure its future in the region.

“We are seeing real, physical progress on the ground, and it is changing lives,” she said.

“This is about giving Northern Rivers families real choices and a clear path forward on safer ground.”

The government is also emphasising progress on another issue raised in the audit — what happens to the flood-prone land left behind after homes are bought back.

Precinct plans are underway for Lismore Centre, East Lismore, South Lismore and North Lismore, while planning is continuing for buyback land around Anzac Park in Kyogle, Casino and Richmond Valley villages, and Burringbar and Mooball in Tweed Shire.

Community consultation on the long-term future of buyback land is expected to continue into early 2027.

Main image: Janelle Saffin MP with Reconstruction Authority officials pictured at one of the relocated flood homes at Mt Pleasant Estate in Goonellabah.

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