People in Lismore and the Northern Rivers now have easier access to a range of community services and housing support as the Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) office officially re-opened its doors yesterday on Conway Street.

The office has been fully refurbished following flood damage and will offer frontline support for housing and other community services. It features a multi-purpose design, including concierge, interview rooms, self-service, and a program space. 

The new fit-for-purpose office facilities will allow staff and caseworkers to return from two and a half years at temporary sites and undertake their important work in the heart of Lismore.

The office on Conway Street is one of four relocation projects commissioned to bring essential services back to where they were before the floods. An official opening ceremony was held yesterday (Tuesday), attended by Minister Kate Washington and other guests.

(Minister for Families and Communities and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin unveil the plaque. Photo: supplied) 

Three more facilities are earmarked to open later this year, including an agile workspace in Goonellabah, which can be used should another flood event take place.

The Conway Street office will be a central drop-in point for families who want to access housing or other DCJ services.

Minister for Families and Communities Kate Washington said, “The Lismore floods in 2022 caused enormous devastation – destroying homes, shops and government offices.

“Despite many staff being personally impacted by the floods, they continued to work tirelessly to deliver essential services across the region out of temporary offices.

“Re-opening of our office in Lismore has been challenging, but it demonstrates the NSW Government’s determination to see Lismore families accessing the services they need and deserve.”

Minister for Homelessness Rose Jackson said, "The 2022 floods were devastating for the Northern Rivers community, and even two years later, the impact is still deeply felt as Lismore residents continue their journey of recovery and rebuilding.

"We recognise how difficult this journey has been and understand the challenges faced when those seeking support can't access a physical, on-site location. Despite these obstacles, our staff have worked tirelessly to ensure that help was always available when needed.

“The reopening of our new office provides a vital, one-stop shop where people can easily access the support services they need.

“We extend our heartfelt thanks to our local staff and the Northern Rivers community for their incredible patience and resilience. We look forward to continuing our work together as we strengthen housing support for the region.”