Right now in Lismore, the NSW Government’s Reconstruction Authority is demolishing unoccupied, structurally manageable homes—despite promises that they would be relocated or, at the very least, reused. These houses, full of character and potential, are being destroyed in the middle of a housing crisis.
These are not derelict or dangerous buildings. Many were cleaned, repaired, and cared for following the devastating 2022 floods.
Instead of following through on commitments to relocate or repurpose them, the Government is now spending around $100,000 per house to demolish them—while families across the Northern Rivers remain in limbo, waiting for their own homes to be bought back, raised or retrofitted.
This is a failure of policy, planning, and compassion.
The NSW Reconstruction Authority has relocated just four homes. Meanwhile, the demolition crews are moving ahead. These are homes that could be saved. Homes that should be helping solve the housing crisis—not becoming casualties of a broken recovery system.
We are calling for:
- An immediate pause on the destruction of structurally manageable homes.
- A commitment to relocate viable houses, rather than demolish them.
- A fair and simple policy: offer any moveable home for free to anyone who can safely relocate it.
This is not just about Lismore—it’s about how we recover, how we value our homes and communities, and whether we meet this moment with consideration and care or harm and waste.