First look at new site for historic homes

SOME of Lismore’s oldest homes are about to be relocated to a new housing estate in Goonellabah as part of the Government’s plan to provide flood-free housing in the region.

Four historic homes, bought back as part of the NSW Reconstruction Authority’s (RA) Resilient Home Program, will be moved from the floodplain in Lismore to Mt Pleasant Estate in Goonellabah.

The land was bought by the RA as part of the Resilient Lands Program and will provide 39 new homes, with priority given to people who have accepted a buyback.

The RA consulted with people interested in moving to the estate about the kinds of homes they wanted and worked with Public Works, the Government Architect, and Northern Rivers Living Laboratory to come up with a design for the estate.

The housing will be diverse, including relocated historic homes, tiny houses, dual occupancies, triplexes, community titles, and detached homes.

A development application for the first relocated home has been lodged with Lismore City Council, and the RA held a community barbecue to share the designs with nearby residents.

Tanya Harris-Bateman and Sylvia Hammond own properties that border the new estate, and attended the meeting to share their concerns.

Ms Harris-Bateman was worried some of the housing was not consistent with surrounding properties and would devalue their homes.

“We’re happy with this to happen. But you want it to blend in with where we are,” she said.

The neighbours said they thought there were too many homes in the estate and roads needed to be wider to accommodate increased vehicle numbers.

Ms Harris-Bateman said when the estate was proposed by the original developer, infrastructure was built for 25 blocks. She was concerned it would not cope with 39 homes.

“I know they are trying to help people, and I appreciate that. I just don’t think that is ideal,” Ms Hammond said.

Other residents said the RA had improved its consultation process and hoped their concerns would be heard.

The RA said the relocated homes could be ready for people to move in by the end of the year.

This week, the council announced the completion of a $7 million wastewater project that will unlock development opportunities for up to 600 new housing lots in Goonellabah.

Completed in partnership with BASEC Engineering, DGP Water and Ledonne Constructions, the Pineapple Road Sewerage Scheme involved the installation of a new pump station and over four kilometres of pipeline, creating 30 local jobs.

Mayor Steve Krieg said the project demonstrated the council’s commitment to providing the infrastructure needed to support housing development and help address the current housing crisis.

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said more housing stock was desperately needed, and was pleased the necessary infrastructure was in place for the delivery of more homes.