Lismore councillors try to ditch affordable housing strategy because of precinct near golf club

Lismore councillors butted heads at a council meeting over an affordable housing and relocation strategy in the wake of the 2022 floods because of a development precinct near a golf club.

Councillor and real estate agent Andrew Gordon, has bought a house in South Lismore, that was damaged in the flood in February, to fix up and rent out. Picture: Elise Derwin

A majority of Lismore City Council has tried to bin an affordable housing and relocation strategy at a meeting because of development in a precinct near East Lismore Golf Club.

The land on Wyrallah Rd had been identified as having the potential to be acquired and developed for flood victims.

It was flagged in the council’s growth strategy following the “devastating impacts” of last year’s February and March floods.

The strategy states the displacement of residents and businesses from Lismore has “been so profound” that any ‘business-as-usual’ assumptions about population and employment are redundant – requiring a “fundamental rethink” of the future.

Key elements of the strategy include a “planned retreat” to permanently remove people and assets from the most flood prone areas – with council lobbying for state and federal government funding to assist with a voluntary buyout and relocation program.

But a bloc of councillors have opposed the growth strategy because of particular areas identified for affordable housing development off the flood plain.

Councillors Big Rob, Electra Jensen and Jeri Hall moved a rescission motion at the council meeting to kill the growth strategy.

Lismore City Council. From back left: Peter Colby, Big Rob, Andrew Bing, Vanessa Ekins, Andrew Gordon, Adam Guise. Front row: Elly Bird, Jeri Hall, Mayor Steve Krieg, Electra Jensen, and Darlene Cook.

Councillors Andrew Bing, Peter Colby, Andrew Gordon and councillors Jensen and Rob voted against the growth strategy in December, with a tied vote broken by the mayor in favour.

During Tuesday night’s council meeting, Cr Gordon left the chamber, declaring that he lived across the road from the golf course.

Mr Gordon did not leave the chamber for, nor declare that he lived across the road from the golf course in the December meeting.

Cr Gordon – a real estate agent who receives $100,000 in revenue from seven privately owned rental properties – opposed land acquisitions for flood victims.

It comes as some are paying mortgages on flood ruined houses while living in caravans.

Mr Gordon opposed the strategy because it included potential development in the precinct across the road from his house.

Councillor Andrew Gordon fixing up a flood-damaged South Lismore home to put up for rent. Picture: Elise Derwin

Mr Gordon has bought at least one flood-affected investment property on Casino St, South Lismore, which he intends to rent out.

Flood affected houses attract less than half their previous value, but the floods did little to dampen Lismore’s rental market.

Renovated flood-affected properties are back on the market for around $450-$530 per week.

“People have called me a disaster capitalist,’’ Mr Gordon told The Australian last year.

“But this house will provide accommodation for someone who needs it and it gives my wife and I an opportunity to self-fund our retirement; that’s what we are working towards. I am taking the risk here.”

Lismore during the flooding in March 22. Picture: Dan Peled/Getty Images

It is unclear how many properties Mr Gordon has acquired – or what his income is from them – since he last disclosed his financial interests.

Councillors Peter Colby, Jeri Hall, Andrew Bing, Big Rob and Electra Jensen voted to get rid of the growth strategy.

Councillors Elly Bird, Vanessa Ekins, Darlene Cook, Adam Guise and Steve Krieg voted to keep it in place.

The vote was tied because Cr Gordon left the chamber and Mayor Krieg used his casting vote to defeat the rescission motion.