Bidders snap up flood-affected homes at Murwillumbah auction

MORE than 50 bidders packed out an auction in Murwillumbah to buy nine flood-affected homes for a combined $712,000.

The homes, from Burringbar and South Murwillumbah, were part of the NSW government’s buyback program under the $880 million Resilient Homes Program.

The highest price was $200,000 for a property in Wardrop Street, which attracted seven bidders. Other homes sold for between $4000 and $155,000.

Jackie and Luke Edwards, who run a honey business near Lismore, paid $35,000 at a previous auction for a 105-year-old cottage near Crozier Oval.

“We were looking at around $400,000 to be able to build a house. This is an awesome option for us,” Jackie said.

“We are giving this house a second lease on life, and I hope more people consider it as an option.”

Recovery minister and Lismore MP Janelle Saffin said the program was giving people an opportunity to reuse homes that would otherwise be demolished.

“We are giving people from all walks of life a chance at a new start inside safe and dry weatherboard houses with corrugated iron roofs keeping the rain out overhead,” Saffin said.

“These homes speak to the history of the Northern Rivers, with old hardwood timbers, stained glass windows and verandahs.

“The demand from the public is there, and we want to make as many homes as possible available so people can relocate them to a safer area.”

The auction was conducted by First National Real Estate and was the latest in a series held across the Northern Rivers.

So far, 699 flood buyback properties have been settled and hundreds of houses are being offered up for auction and relocation. Homes unsuitable for removal will be demolished.

More auctions are planned in September and October.