Buyback homes hit the market

FIFTY flood-affected homes in the Northern Rivers are being offered for resale and relocation, as part of the next stage of the state’s buyback housing program.

Twenty homes are now listed online, with another 30 to follow in the coming weeks.

Recovery Minister Janelle Saffin said the level of interest in the program showed the public was ready to make use of homes the government had bought back.

“It’s great to see that there are so many people who are ready to buy and relocate homes that were bought back by the Reconstruction Authority,” she said.

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

The program, managed by the NSW Reconstruction Authority, aims to prevent waste by relocating flood-affected homes rather than demolishing them.

It follows the first release of 31 homes in December 2024, which attracted more than 130 offers. Some properties received bids from more than 10 separate buyers.

Most submissions came from local residents with land in the Northern Rivers.

NSW Reconstruction Authority chief executive Mal Lanyon said the program had struck a chord with the community.

“The people of the Northern Rivers told us that as well as having access to homes safely located away from floodplains, they wanted to retain and preserve where appropriate the sense of community by repurposing older homes in the area,” he said.

PRD Northern Rivers has been appointed to manage the sale process.

Successful buyers from the first round are now proceeding to contracts, with homes to be relocated within 12 months.

Saffin said it was about more than just recycling housing stock.

“This isn’t just about making sure we keep using the existing housing infrastructure whenever possible, it’s also about making sure our region doesn’t lose its unique character while we help move people out of harm’s way,” she said.

More information and upcoming listings are available on the NSW Reconstruction Authority website.