Federal Nationals Member for Page, Kevin Hogan, says the NSW Labor Government’s Resilient Lands Program announcement is “too slow for our community.”
The Minns Government has announced a partnership between Southern Cross University, Landcom, and the NSW Reconstruction Authority, under which a 72-hectare parcel of university land will be used for housing to, in part, support flood-affected residents.
The three bodies have signed a Heads of Agreement to deliver over 400 dwellings in East Lismore.
At least 20 per cent will be set aside for affordable housing, while a number of blocks of land will be used for the relocation of existing homes from flood-affected areas, but nothing will happen until 2026.
Mr Hogan said it will be four years after the 2022 disaster before anyone is relocated and living on the land announced today.
He said most families who were flooded have already made their decisions.
“They have sold and moved from the area. Or they have sold and bought another house, sometimes back in the flood area. Or they have renovated and are staying in their home.
“Releasing 400 blocks of land should be a yearly goal of councils and a normal course of business. Today’s announcement that 400 homes will be available four years after the event is not something we should be congratulating ourselves for.
“This is too slow for the families who were flooded 2 years ago,” said Mr Hogan.
