Flood buyback land across the Northern Rivers could soon be transformed into parks, community facilities and even some commercial uses under a major change announced by the NSW Government.

The NSW Reconstruction Authority has confirmed land purchased through the Resilient Homes Program will now have more flexible future uses, allowing councils and communities to help decide how the sites are repurposed.

Importantly, the land cannot return to residential housing.

More than 1000 flood-affected properties across the Northern Rivers and Central West are expected to be incorporated into future local planning processes.

The Reconstruction Authority said potential uses could include parklands, environmental projects and community hubs. In some carefully managed cases, commercial or industrial uses may also be considered where flood risks can be appropriately managed.

Planning work is already underway in Lismore for more than 600 properties across four precincts, while a resilience-focused master plan is also being developed for South Murwillumbah.

Future planning will also extend to buyback land clusters across the Northern Rivers, including Ballina Shire, Byron, Kyogle, Richmond Valley and Clarence Valley.

Federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said the aim remained moving people out of high flood-risk areas while ensuring the land could still benefit local communities.

Federal Richmond MP Justine Elliot said the move would help “unlock this land for community use” while improving resilience against future flooding events.

NSW Recovery Minister Janelle Saffin said communities would have a direct say in shaping the future of the sites.

The Reconstruction Authority said community consultation on future land uses would continue as planning progresses across the region.