At yesterday's CBD occupancy announcement by Mayor Steve Krieg, he was asked about the long-awaited Resilient Land Program, his response was "That’s the million dollar question and I'm glad you asked.

"Council executives and councils met with the New South Wales Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA) on Monday. And obviously that was the first question that all the councillors put to the Reconstruction Authority. We had Simon Draper in town for a meeting. Again, it is the most frustrating thing and we talked about it on the front that we're as frustrated as everyone but they are telling us that they do have parcels of land ready to announce and that is imminent." 

If it is known, then why does the community not know about it?

"There was a really interesting conversation with the RA and we sort of floated the idea that the reality is that what is happening in Lismore is probably the biggest voluntary relocation of residence that's been undertaken, definitely in this country, but possibly in the world as far as voluntary relocations, it is a massive undertaking.

"As we've said before, the state government is literally writing legislation and policy to make this happen. Now, being a former school teacher, paperwork was never my strong point. But obviously the state government has to get everything right before they can move forward with these big decisions and big announcements. So I'm sure that the policymakers are just going through the final draft and dotting the i's and crossing the t's but I am under the understanding that February will be a big announcement."

When you look through the Lismore City Council's Development Application list since the start of the year, in terms of what has been approved and what has been submitted, you get the sense that some could be part of the Resilient Land Program announcement and some will add to the future growth of Lismore.

Lismore Subdivisions that have been submitted or determined in January 2024:

• 8 Blue Wren Place, Goonellabah
• 41 William Blair Avenue Goonellabah - creating 5 residential lots and 1 residue lot being 5.5 hectares. The development to be carried out in five stage.
• 45 William Blair Avenue, Goonellabah
• 71 and 73 James St, Dunoon 2480 NSW
• 57 Just Street - to create 2 lots
• 316 and 320 Dunoon Road, North Lismore
• 749 & 769 Dunoon Road, Tullera
• 333, 339 & 349 Richmond Hill Road, Richmond Hill
• 'Stage 3’ of Hidden Valley Estate at Chilcotts Grass - that is 123 Taylor Rd, 13 Mcintosh Road, 16 George Drive and 5 Vintage Drive, Chilcotts Grass. The application involves the creation of 34 x residential lots, 1 x residue lot, 2 x roads, 1 x public reserve and associated vegetation management works, earthworks & infrastructure servicing.
• 4 Cavendish Road, Goonellabah

Some of the subdivisions have been applied for and consent was given within three days in January 2024 with no cost, no data and no documents attached which suggests it could be part of the Resilient Land Program.

While details remain sketchy and the full picture will be revealed in early February, as you can see from the above, there is a good deal of land in the pipeline that can begin its infrastructure work that is needed to take Lismore forward and get buyback residents out of the floodplain.