Fifty rental homes to be built by 2026 for flood-affected residents

PLANS for 50 build-to-rent apartments near Southern Cross University in East Lismore have been approved by the Northern Regional Planning Panel, marking progress on the Minns Government’s $30 million election commitment to address the Northern Rivers housing crisis.

Lismore MP Janelle Saffin welcomed the project as a step towards filling gaps in the local housing market.

“The build-to-rent project at East Lismore is a welcome investment by the NSW Government to provide secure and affordable rental options for the Lismore community,” she said.

“Landcom’s build-to-rent project will help to fill gaps in the housing market, where there is a need for a greater mix of housing, with more smaller homes and housing suited to smaller households.

“I am pleased to see the pace of progress being made by Landcom, with support from Lismore City Council, to help local renters to put a roof over their head as soon as practical.”

The homes, expected to be built by 2026, are part of the NSW Government’s pilot program aimed at increasing rental supply in regional communities affected by rising rents and low housing availability.

The project site, located at the corner of Crawford Road and Military Road, is not flood-prone and has been designed with sustainability and climate resilience in mind. Features include private off-street parking, outdoor communal spaces, subtropical landscaping, and bushland views.

The development will include a mix of apartment sizes to suit different household needs, with 20 per cent reserved for affordable rental housing, supporting essential workers and low to moderate-income families.

Planning for the apartments incorporated community and stakeholder feedback, as well as studies into traffic, the natural environment, and urban design.

Construction is expected to begin early next year, with tenders for the project currently being assessed.

Visit Landcom’s website for more details about the project.