Farmers in Lismore LGA win right to build second home

FARMERS in the Lismore Local Government Area will soon be able to build a second, detached house on their land.

FARMERS in the Lismore Local Government Area will soon be able to build a second, detached house on their land.

Mayor Jenny Dowell said people in rural areas had expressed a desire for ways to remain on their land as they get older.

The council sought approval from the State Government to change the regulations, and were "pleasantly surprised" when they were approved.

The regulations will allow the owner of a property zoned RU1 to construct a second dwelling as long as it does not impair the use of the land for agricultural activities, uses the same vehicle access and is within 100 metres from the existing dwelling.

Mayor Dowell said the changes could be in place by the end of next week.

"What it means is that someone can have a family member living in the second house, or they could rent it out to support the farming income," she said.

"There has always been a provision in some areas for a second dwelling as long as it is attached to the first. But this doesn't give privacy and often doesn't meet the needs of rural people."

Cr Dowell is a member of the North Coast Ageing Strategy Taskforce, a group made up of representatives from various government agencies, which has shown interest in the changes.