Councillor calls for Pine St, Lismore squatters to be turfed

A Northern Rivers councillor opposed to squatters occupying government-purchased flood buyback homes is pushing for council to turf the squatters out.

A Northern Rivers councillor opposed to squatters occupying government-purchased flood buyback homes is pushing for council to turf the squatters out.

Lismore councillor Big Rob is demanding action against the squatters in Pine St, North Lismore labelling them “alleged criminals”.

He is calling for immediate council enforcement of public space rules, including fines and removals.

Mr Rob is also seeking written explanations from state member Janelle Saffin and the Richmond Police District Commander regarding an apparent lack of arrests, and claimed police inaction was resulting in rising local crime rates.

The councillor is also requesting federal intervention from Page MP Kevin Hogan, which includes potential visa cancellations.

Richmond Police attending Pine St, North Lismore where squatters have taken refuge in abandoned government flood buyback homes.

North Lismore resident Miriam Torzillo said while a few squatters are on long-term visas – most of the occupants at Pine St are Australians and locals.

“Some of those people have been living in their car for however long, and now they’re there,” Ms Torzillo said.

“There’s a couple of women there, one with her son, who’s staying in the house with other people after recent turmoil because she’s nervous now.”

Police are currently investigating reports of unknown persons who had performed burnouts, harassed residents and damaged vehicles on the street, before leaving in a black four-wheel drive early Saturday morning on Pine St.

Malicious damage of vehicles in Pine St, North Lismore following comments made by NSW Premier Chris Minns regarding squatters occupying government buyback homes. Picture: Matty John.

Ms Torzillo said a lot of the squatters had fled to evacuation centres pre-flood and some went to places out on farms where people allowed them to put their vans.

She said housing providers had only been able to help people get their belongings into their car, drop them to the Winsome with their kids and give them a tent.

“It’s pretty dire,” she said.

The community is split over the focus on Pine St squatters versus increase in serious youth crime.

Ms Torzillo said a lack of land to relocate buyback homes was impeding the 2022 flood recovery.

Buyback recipients face the challenge of relocating their home, often needing to “gift” it to someone with available land who can pay to relocate it, meaning they also must leave town.

“A buyback isn’t enough to buy a block of land but once you get your money the Reconstruction Authority doesn’t care where you go,” she said.

Andrew George, centre, is among Northern Rivers locals along and itinerant workers occupying Reconstruction Authority flood buyback houses in North Lismore saying they will occupy the repaired and liveable homes until they are relocated.

Pine St resident Andrew George said the NSW Premier has called out the issue of “fairness”.

“If we want to talk about fairness we should ask: Why have so many people in South Lismore received no buybacks, house raises or retrofits – is that fair?,” he said.

“What about the $57 million of taxpayer money spent on Reconstruction Authority salaries including executive director salaries averaging $344,000? Or the $2500 spent per year, per boarded-up buyback house on security and maintenance?

“This money is saved if the houses are occupied, yet he’s scapegoating people seeking shelter in empty properties and having free water.

‘The government should come to the table and sort out occupation licenses until the houses are ready to be moved.”

An extraordinary meeting of Lismore City Council to discuss Pine St squatters is scheduled for Tuesday, March 25.

Got a news tip? Email [e-mail]

Originally published as Councillor calls for Pine St, Lismore squatters to be turfed