Pod village for flood victims in wrong spot, Goonellabah residents claim

A proposed pod village at the most popular recreation spot in Goonellabah has residents despairing. Here’s why.

Lismore and Goonellabah residents have hit back against a proposed temporary accommodation for the more than 1400 still unhoused flood victims at Hepburn Park.

Demanding a long-term solution instead of a temporary fix, 800 have signed a petition against the government’s plan to install a temporary pod village at one of the region’s most popular parks.

“It would be absolutely devastating to the community … to have essentially our only park and recreation area taken from us,” said Goonellabah homeowner Bonnie Merkel, who started the petition.

Council had been asked by the state government to approve a pod village at a junior sports field at Hepburn Park, which sits out of the flood zone in Goonellabah.

A pod home in Wollongbar used by Lismore flood victims. Picture: Cath Piltz.

Speakers against the proposal said the government was using emergency powers to push the plan through without community consultation.

Some of those opposed to the Hepburn Park temporary accommodation lost their homes in the February floods.

They argue the proposed site is unsuitable for temporary housing.

Councillors have expressed frustration at the lack of consultation from the government.

A proposed pod village at a popular park has divided the community. Picture Cath Piltz

Mayor Steve Kreig said at least 1400 residents have been left in emergency housing five-and-a-half months after the floods.

Cr Elly Bird choked back tears as she described the traumatic experiences of displaced residents forced to move between 20 different locations since they lost their homes on February 28, with some emergency housing being deemed unliveable.

“They were living in rooms we had to rescue them from,” Ms Bird said.

“We’re talking about the most vulnerable people in our community with nowhere to go.”

Vanessa Ekins: “None of the decisions we make here are easy.” Picture: Cath Piltz

In May, the state government released a list of nine pod village sites across the Tweed, Ballina, Richmond Valley, and Lismore local government areas, with a further two identified in Byron Shire.

Some of these sites are not Crown Land and require a lease arrangement with the relevant local council.

Cr Adam Guise said the push from NSW government bureaucrats to go ahead with the plan without first consulting the community about the impacts is flawed.

“If state government bodies genuinely care about us, they can’t impose top-down - this is how it’s going to be. They have to be genuine in listening to our communities’ needs,” Mr Guise said.

“It’s been a terrible way to get the community on side. It simply appeared on our business paper to sign off on.”  

The state told Lismore council on July 18 there were no other suitable sites for a pod village in the area.

Council has countered, advising the state government that Hepburn Park is not available for temporary housing.

Councillors Rob, Bing, Jenson, Gordon and Hall voted in favour of going back to the NSW government for more community consultation, which would mean residents would face a further wait.

Councillors Bird, Ekins, Guise and Kreig voted against.

“Councillors I know you will be able to go home to a safe bed tonight, but there are many people who won’t,” Vanessa Ekins said. “None of the decisions we make here are easy.”