Development approved for Invercauld Rd, Goonellabah

After much debate over the northern rivers’ rising housing crisis, a new residential subdivision to accommodate more than 170 homes has offered a glimmer of hope for prospective homeowners.

226 Invercauld Road subdivision for 176 new residential lots was approved in an extraordinary Lismore council meeting on March 25, 2025.

In the midst of a housing crisis gripping the North Coast, a proposed residential subdivision at Goonellabah has become a focal point of both optimism and contention.

The project, managed by McLoy Project Management, aims to create 176 residential allotments, three local reserves, and associated civil works at 226 Invercauld Rd.

The $10,576,952 development covers 39.52 hectares.

While it promises to alleviate housing shortages, it has also drawn criticism from environmental groups and local residents.

Friends of the Koala opposed the subdivision, citing biodiversity threats and overdevelopment while local residents said Invercauld Rd would require significant upgrades to cope with increased traffic.

226 Invercauld Road subdivision for 176 new residential lots was approved in an extraordinary Lismore council meeting on March 25, 2025.

But supporters see the development as a necessary step towards addressing the housing crisis that could become a model for sustainable development in the region with the appropriate infrastructure improvements and environmental safeguards.

The site, which has been earmarked for residential development for more than a decade, is seen as a natural extension of the existing Eastwood Estate.

Eastwood housing estate in Goonellabah.

The subdivision is designed to accommodate a diverse range of lot sizes, ranging from 447 sqm to 3725 sqm, providing options for single-family homes, dual occupancy, or medium-density development types.

Cr Andrew Gordon said approving the development to increase Lismore’s ratepaying pool will lessen the burden on those in the current ratepaying pool, giving more resources and services for the community.

“We keep on talking about providing relief for our residents through home ownership … plus the other expectations the community have on you to perform a role as council,” he said.

“176 lots off the bat, wouldn’t that be fantastic.”

Eastwood housing estate Goonellabah.

He said the existing Eastwood Estate is “fabulous” and has many young families residing there.

“It’s my hope Lismore will become a dormitory suburb for the Eastern Seaboard,” Cr Gordon added.

He said the development will help get Lismore growing again.

Cr Jasmine Knight-Smith said the development was an “important part of the mix in flood-free housing”, but Cr Virginia Waters objected, saying the development risks “fragmenting habitats and contributing to urban sprawl, altering the region’s character”.

Cr Waters also raised concerns the plan would not provide for the relocation of big scrub hardwood homes from the flood-plain.

“Even with the reduction from 203 to 176 lots, this proposal is still overdeveloped,” Cr Waters said.

Cr Adam Guise said it would be the “worst possible thing” for Lismore to become a “dormitory suburb” where people just commute to and from Lismore to sleep.

He said Lismore should be a town that enables a vibrant, active, community and that “workers, players, entertainers who drive to and from Lismore” is not in the town’s best interest.

Despite the objections, Lismore council voted in favour of the development nine votes to two.

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