Lismore City Council could push NSW government to acquire land for flood victims

With mud still dried on the walls of Lismore homes and businesses – councillors can pressure the NSW government to acquire land for flood affected residents. Here’s how.

A plan to leverage the state government to open the way for affordable housing for Lismore flood victims is just a vote away.

A motion for Lismore City Council to negotiate with the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC) to acquire suitable land for flood affected residents may be tabled at soon as the next council meeting.

The motion would see any potential land developed as social and affordable housing which would prioritise relocation for flood impacted residents.

The NRRC was tasked with accelerating housing recovery – but seven months on, thousands of residents are still without stable accommodation.

Council is currently rezoning existing land to address the housing crisis. However, without strict regulation there is no guarantee that new housing would be affordable, the proposed notice of motion states.

The motion would call on the state government to use powers to mandatorily acquire land instead of leaving it to property developers who have no obligation to provide affordable housing.

Lismore council will meet on Tuesday October 11 at 6pm.