Lismore Consultation Opens on Repurposing 70 Hectares of Flood Buyback Land

Community consultation opened on Monday, 28 September 2026, to determine the future use of more than 70 hectares of flood buyback land across four key precincts in Lismore, New South Wales. The public engagement process invites local residents, businesses, and community groups to provide input on how to repurpose land acquired through the Resilient Homes Program.

The Resilient Homes Program, funded by the Australian and NSW governments, has purchased more than 600 flood-prone properties in Lismore. Under the program guidelines, the acquired land cannot be used for future housing. The ongoing precinct planning aims to identify flood-compatible alternatives, such as parklands, recreational hubs, environmental areas, and commercial or cultural spaces.

Any proposed future uses will be evaluated based on flood risk, community benefit, environmental and cultural values, economic viability, maintenance costs, and impacts on adjacent residents and businesses. Additionally, the planning process involves early-stage collaboration with the Widjabul Wia-bal people through the Board of the Widjabul Wia-bal Gurrumbil Aboriginal Corporation to incorporate Indigenous knowledge, priorities, and land stewardship.

NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO Kate Fitzgerald noted that while more than 70 hectares of buyback land are being repurposed, the authority is also advancing more than 500 new housing lots across three priority Resilient Lands Program sites located outside high-risk flood zones in Lismore.

Residents can participate in the consultation by completing an online survey, attending drop-in sessions, or joining workshops across the four precincts until 1 November 2026. The received feedback will be combined with technical studies and environmental assessments to formulate draft precinct plans, which are scheduled for public release in early 2027.

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