Southern Cross University is asking for expressions of interest for their 60-bed two storey accommodation complex on Military Road, East Lismore near Wade Park.

During the 2022 megaflood, the complex of 21 two-bedroom units and six three-bedroom units had approximately half a metre of water in the lower units of the Sirius College Accommodation complex.

That was enough for the ground floor units to be fully gutted to remove all fixtures, fittings, and furniture, and the second floor was stripped of carpet and furniture. The property has received a comprehensive structural assessment and hygienist report.

Vice President of Engagement at Southern Cross University (SCU) Ben Roche told the Lismore App, "We've gone out for an expression of interest to see if there are, to be honest, there are many, who would be interested in meeting the cost of a light refurbishment, and it could be very light, it could just be the case of putting furniture in there if they really wanted to. But in doing so, then form a long-term lease to operate that facility."

"It could be anything. We've had inquiries around seasonal worker accommodation, visiting health worker accommodation, but others may be interested in running short-term accommodation, like a serviced apartment style kind of approach. We are open to any idea."

"We've got the partnership with the NRRC (Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation) and the big thing we're talking a lot around is what we need to do to increase the amount of beds in the region and whether we can do more of that on our land. I'm not talking about emergency pods, I think they're starting to pivot to other forms of accomm that might be more permanent in their outlook and also that could remain in the region as accommodation assets, which I think is the right way to think about it."

For more information, check out the Southern Cross University Expression of Interest Sirius College Accommodation Refurbishment to Lease document.

Expressions of interest close on Tuesday 7th of March 2023 at 4pm.