NSW government takes Lismore Pine St squatters to the Supreme Court

The Minns government’s battle to remove illegal squatters from condemned homes in Lismore will be taken all the way to the Supreme Court, but won’t go down without a fight.

The Minns government’s fight to remove illegal squatters from condemned homes in Lismore will be taken all the way to the Supreme Court after the NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA) filed legal notices against the group.

Squatters along Pine St were served ‘Statement of Claims’ this week as the government pursues a writ of possession to evict the collective of mostly holiday and temporary visa holders from buyback houses affected by the 2022 floods.

The saga has pushed local tensions to the brink amid allegations squatters were blocking the street and defying police orders, while local “vigilantes” were accused of harassing group members.

Recovery Minister and Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said enough was enough.

“These homes are not safe for people to live in. That is why they were bought back by the Reconstruction Authority,” Ms Saffin said.

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said she couldn’t afford the squatters’ movement to impede reconstruction efforts. Picture: NewsWire / Max Mason-Hubers

“They are not just on flood prone land, many of them are also contaminated with asbestos and lead paint.

“We can’t afford to have something that has become a political campaign derail the reconstruction effort in Lismore. That’s why the Government is taking action in the Supreme Court.”

Malicious damage of vehicles in Pine St, North Lismore following Mr Minns demolition orders. Picture: Matty Johns

A squatter’s ute, parked across the road to block access to Pine St, was vandalised in the days after Cyclone Alfred. Picture: Facebook

The legal move comes after the squatters collective returned to Pine St in the days following Cyclone Alfred.

NSW Premier Chris Minns declared the situation “unacceptable” and issued demolition orders for the flood-ravaged homes last month.

But despite the orders and the legal escalation, the collective have vowed to continue their fight to stay in the homes for free.

A member of the collective vowed to fight the claim in the Supreme Court. Picture: Facebook

One member of the group posted a photo holding up the Statement of Claim to Facebook, announcing: “we’ve been served by the Supreme Court for living in a vacant public house! Bring it on.”

“Housing is a Human Right. Boarding Up Homes is Vandalism,” the post read.

Originally published as NSW government takes Lismore Pine St squatters to the Supreme Court