There was a steady stream of East Lismore residents at the Bowling Club last night to view Landcom's plans to construct 50 Build To Rent apartments on the corner of Military Road and Crawford Road.

Landcom is the NSW Government-owned development organisation. East Lismore is the second time the organisation is doing a Build To Rent project, the first is Bomaderry, three months ahead.

Medium-density housing represents only a fraction of how people live in Lismore. Historically, this has been a city of three-plus bedroom homes that now has a lot of one or two persons living in those homes.

The apartments will be a mix of sizes from studios to three bedrooms, with 20% allocated for affordable housing. Landcom staff explained to a mother and son that low-income earners will be given priority to rent 20% of the new apartments.

The East Lismore plan appears to be social housing on Caldwell Avenue and Walker Street, 20% affordable housing and the rest rented on the open market at the Crawford and Military Road project.

The overwhelming feeling of residents leaving the information and feedback session was positive. Most said that this is a start, but could we have more?

Everyone was aware of the housing crisis, and the clear solution was building more apartment blocks and townhouses.

One couple was looking for alternative accommodation for their son, who has a disability. They were particularly interested in the 20% affordable housing because his rent is going to rise by $40 a week soon.

(An artists impression of the East Lismore Build To Rent apartments)

Another man was hoping there would be a higher percentage of affordable housing. "We should look after those people who were renting in South Lismore when the flood hit," he said.

Two ladies found the session informative. They knew little about the proposal and were happy that Lismore was building more housing options.

A Walker Street couple were interested in the drainage that would be done in the area as it floods very easily during storm season. "The concept is good; we need housing as long as we don't have riff-raff coming in."

While, Landcom staff were receiving feedback on their project, there has been action on the Caldwell Avenue/Dibbs Street social housing project, which was announced in August 2023.

(The empty block looking from Walker Street, East Lismore)

Two houses have now been demolished as the site is being prepared for the construction of sixteen (16) units in East Lismore. This is in addition to the construction of six (6) more units, 100 metres further along Dibbs Street, that will be redeveloped for social housing.

At this stage of the flood rebuild, East Lismore is the growth suburb of the Lismore LGA.