Lismore City Council is inviting public feedback on a proposal to rezone over 70 hectares of flood-free land in Goonellabah.

At a time when housing stocks are in high demand in the Lismore LGA, councillors passed a resolution in November last year to proceed to public exhibition.

The plan includes a mix of new residential, commercial and industrial developments.

The site at 1055 Bruxner Highway fronts the new $14.2 million Oliver Avenue extension that was completed in 2023, to support the growth potential of the Goonellabah industrial precinct.

The proposed rezoning involves moving from the current Primary Production zone to a combination of General Residential, Mixed Use and General Industrial zonings.

This would pave the way for approximately 350 new residential lots including a medium-density precinct, alongside over 100 commercial and industrial lots catering to diverse business operations.

In addition, a Public Recreation zone along Tucki Tucki Creek would also provide significant areas for recreation and rehabilitation of an important ecological corridor and extend the existing Birdwing Butterfly walking track to enrich the area’s environmental landscape.

The site is currently being referred to as the Harmony Estate, but Council is seeking feedback and suggestions from the community for other possible names.

Council’s Strategic Planning Coordinator, Andy Parks, said the public exhibition period was a chance for Council to let people know what is envisioned for the site and to seek feedback to ensure Council’s planning controls are aligned with community expectations.

“Aside from outlining the proposed zones and overarching controls like heights and lot sizes, Council has prepared a Development Control Plan that provides for more detailed planning of the site,” he said.

“This includes identifying preferred land uses, the location of parks and off-road trails and how buildings are to be designed to interface with the streets.”

Mr Parks said Council has collaborated closely with landowners who have committed, through a Voluntary Planning Agreement, to provide around 6000 square metres of land for affordable housing.

Additionally, the agreement will ensure the provision of a green corridor and pathway along Tucki Tucki Creek creating an inviting space for both human and non-human residents and visitors.

The full suite of documents relating to the proposal are available for public view on Council’s Your Say site at www.yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au

Submissions can be made up until May 1, 2024.