"We feel good. We feel exhausted. But I think overjoyed to finally have our occupation certificate and be living in the house." These were the words from Jo and Brendan Kilburn as their three-year epic journey from Pine Street, North Lismore to Modanville is nearly at an end.

Nearly because there is a deck to build between the Kilburn's Pine Street house and the original house on the block, plus some landscaping as they look to take advantage of a magnificent rural view.

(Jo and Brendan's new view in Modanville)

Jo and Brendan's story was first documented on the Lismore App in June 2024 when another couple, Stacey and Ben Wilder, and the Kilburn's were moving their buyback properties to higher ground, much higher ground, in the northern village of Modanville.

"We feel like we've won the lotto, we really do. We were so very lucky that we were in a position to be able to do it without having to wait for the Resilient Lands (Program)," Jo said.

Brendan joked, "We're still Northie's though."

In the original story, Jo said they were one of the last families in Pine Street that were rescued because there were people more vulnerable. "It was probably chest height on me when we got rescued."

After the effects of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the event reassured Jo and Brendan that they absolutely made the right decision.

"The relief that you don't have pack up underneath your house and hoping that the high tide doesn't come through, you know?," Jo said.

Brendan said it had been a big three years, "But particularly the last eight months getting this place up and running after the relocation, definitely. Putting in every afternoon and every weekend.

"So there hasn't been much break or much time off, really, since July, when we relocated," Jo added, "We've had the odd weekend here and there, but it's pretty much been full on. Home from work, we had a list of jobs that needed to be done, and then it was every afternoon going, right, what are we ticking off today? And every weekend, what are we ticking off today?"

(The cottage at Modanville (top), the finished home, and the Pine Street house before it was moved. Photo" supplied)

While there are a few more items to tick off before their new home is complete, Jo and Brendan will not have a break but the pace at which they work will change.

"We'll just take things a lot easier now that we've sort of crossed that hurdle (occupation certificate). We'll just push on and try and get things done, but not at the pace we were working at before."

Brendan joked the final two elements (landscaping and deck) will be finished in 20 years.

The one word to sum up the last three years? "Herculean"

When the occupation certificate was approved, Jo, Brendan and their son Blake had to wait for Harry (who graduated from Trinity last year) to travel down for the weekend so the champagne could be popped and the celebrations could begin.

While they have friends living in North Lismore who are waiting for the North Lismore Resilient Land to come on the market, for Jo and Brendan, the wait is over and normal living, or close enough to normal, can begin.