en.Wedoany.com Reported - The New South Wales Government has released the draft master plan for a development project on Crawford Road in East Lismore. Spanning 72 hectares, the project aims to provide permanent housing for residents affected by flooding in the Northern Rivers region.
The development is being delivered jointly by Landcom and the NSW Reconstruction Authority through the Resilient Lands Program. It is expected to deliver over 500 homes, including townhouses, duplexes, detached houses, and relocated buyback homes. At least 20% of these homes will be designated as affordable housing for low- to middle-income households.
Eligible participants in the Resilient Homes Program buyback scheme will receive priority purchasing rights before homes and land are offered to the broader market. The project incorporates climate-adaptive design measures, including increased tree canopy cover, water-sensitive urban design, walkable streets, and siting homes away from flood-prone areas.
Stage one of the project is progressing, with plans to build approximately 100 homes on a five-hectare site at the northern end. This proposal is currently being assessed by Lismore City Council. The new community is located near Southern Cross University, local schools, shops, and public transport, aiming to support long-term recovery efforts while enabling residents to maintain connections with the Lismore community.
The site adjoins the Build-to-Rent development in East Lismore, where Landcom is delivering 50 apartments, funded by the NSW Government's Build-to-Rent program. Construction began in November 2025 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, weather permitting.
Community consultation on the draft master plan will run until August 16, 2026. Feedback collected will be used to refine the final master plan ahead of detailed design and development applications.
NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the project would help increase housing supply while supporting the region's recovery. NSW Minister for Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin noted that the development would provide flood-affected residents with an opportunity to remain in the community. NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Kate Fitzgerald said the East Lismore project was a significant opportunity to support new housing supply on land with lower flood risk while helping people stay connected to their community. Landcom Executive General Manager of Building Form Andrew Cooper said that through detailed planning and design, the project had the potential to accommodate more than 500 homes through a broader housing mix, thereby creating more housing choices for the community.
