Additional support is now available to Lismore and Northern Rivers homeowners identified by the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) as eligible for resilient measures as part of the Resilient Homes Program (RHP). 

The RA has engaged Resilient Lismore to provide additional support to homeowners impacted by the 2022 floods in the Lismore, Ballina, Byron, Clarence, Kyogle, Richmond Valley and Tweed Valley Local Government Areas (LGAs) through the Building Advisory Support Service (BASS).

The BASS is designed to provide additional support to homeowners to navigate the RHP – Resilient Measures Stream, to complete a raise, retrofit, relocation or rebuild of their home.

Homeowners will be supported as they move through the different stages of their resilient measures project, including engaging with qualified trades and industry professionals and understanding program requirements and processes.

The RA will identify homeowners who have received their in-home assessment report and are eligible for resilient measures and refer them to Resilient Lismore.

Homeowners will still be able to access assistance via the RA’s Resilient Homes Concierge by calling 1800 844 085 or by emailing resilienthomesprogram@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au.

Northern Rivers homeowners eligible for the RHP who need additional help are encouraged to contact the RA to discuss if this service is right for them.

The RA will also hold three Resilient Homes Expos in May at Woodburn, Goonellabah and Maclean, following one earlier this week at Murwillumbah, to help registered RHP homeowners looking to make their homes more flood resilient, and community members seeking to relocate a buyback home to a new location.

The expos will provide information about the RHP grant process, development approval processes, and how successful resilient building and relocation projects can be delivered. 

Homeowners and business representatives can visit information stands and speak with representatives from councils, RA, SafeWork NSW, Building Commission NSW, and various industry associations and businesses interested in resilient building services.

Sessions on resilient measures, development approval processes, and relocation will also be on offer throughout the expo. There will be opportunities on the day to book 15-minute one-on-one appointments with a Council Officer or a RHP team member. 

For more details on the expos or to register, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/departments-and-agencies/nsw-reconstruction-authority/our-work/events.

For more information on the RHP in the Northern Rivers, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/grants-and-funding/resilient-homes-program. The RHP is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.

NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Mal Lanyon said, “We want to make sure that homeowners across the Northern Rivers who face the greatest flood risk have access to additional support, so they can navigate the process and their options when it comes to resilient measures and connect with tradespeople and industry professionals.” 

“I would encourage homeowners eligible for the RHP who need additional help to contact the RA to discuss if this service is right for them by calling 1800 844 085 or emailing resilienthomesprogram@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au.”

Resilient Lismore Executive Director Elly Bird said, “We’re very pleased to be working with the RA to provide additional support to homeowners across the region to help them navigate their recovery journey and to improve the resilience of their homes.

“We have learnt a lot about people’s needs and challenges over the past three years through the delivery of our Repair to Return Project, and we are looking forward to bringing that understanding to this program. 

“This will enable us to provide more hands-on support to the people who need it, who are eligible for grants under the RHP, and we will do everything we can to help them achieve outcomes that will increase their resilience to future flooding events”.