Local community service provider Social Futures has lodged a development application (DA) with Lismore City Council to build 18 new 1 and 2-bedroom units in Goonellabah.

Social Futures is also Tier 3 registered Community Housing Provider and purchased the property in March 2023.

The Phillip Street/McDermott Avenue development has 7 existing units that were built in the 1970s. The units are described in the DA as rundown and at the end of their asset lifecycle.

The plan is to demolish these units and replace them with 18 units that will be a 50/50 mix of social and affordable housing.

The 9 affordable housing units will look to house essential workers such as health, education, building, police and fire and rescue.

Phillip Street and McDermott Avenue are close to the Goonellabah Shopping Centre, GSAC and the Rous Road shops.

The need for more social, affordable and medium-density housing in the Lismore LGA has been well-publicised, something that the February 2022 big flood only exacerbated.

The architectural plans are to build a three-story complex with car parking on the ground level for 15 car spaces and 4 visitor car parks. The 18 units will be built on levels 2 and 3.

Social Futures CEO Tony Davies said, “Social Futures has lodged a development application with Lismore City Council to redevelop an existing property on Phillip Street, Goonellabah. 

There is a shortage of local, small-scale housing close to essential services like shops, employment, education, and public transport. 

The current housing crisis and shortage of affordable housing is hurting the community and people who are at risk of or experiencing homelessness. 

Social Futures is committed to high-quality social and affordable housing for our community.”