Flood-impacted homeowners will have the first opportunity to purchase land in East Lismore, following development approval for Stage 1 of Landcom's resilient new community at Crawford Road.
The approval is a major milestone for the NSW Government's Resilient Lands Program as it enables Landcom and the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) to begin the sales process for the first 19 residential lots.
Resilient Homes Program buyback participants will be given the first opportunity to purchase the lots before any remaining land is offered to the market.
The first 19 residential lots are expected to be released for sale before the end of 2026. Purchasers will be able to build a new freestanding home or duplex or relocate a suitable buyback home.
Interested participants will shortly be invited by RA to register with Landcom to receive detailed information about the sales process, including plans, pricing, key dates and opportunities to reserve a lot.
Stage 1 covers around five hectares at the northern end of the Crawford Road site and will deliver approximately 100 homes. Alongside the 19 vacant lots, plans include around 70 to 80 terraces with a mix of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes.
Terrace sales are expected to start around mid-2027, subject to construction progress and approvals.
Stage 1 forms part of the broader 72-hectare East Lismore development, delivered in partnership between Landcom and RA through the $100 million Resilient Lands Program.
Planning for the broader site is progressing following community consultation on the draft masterplan, which has the potential to deliver more than 500 homes and new open space.
The Minns Labor Government acquired the site from Southern Cross University in 2025. RA is contributing $15 million towards the land and enabling infrastructure, while Landcom has committed at least $75 million to develop the site.
At least 20 per cent of housing across the development will be affordable rental housing.
Landcom continues to deliver homes across NSW, including its Build to Rent project in East Lismore and additional projects in the Northern Rivers, South Coast, Central West and Greater Sydney.
The Minns Labor Government's planning reforms and land audit have grown the pipeline of homes for NSW, with the highest number of homes under construction in the country; more than 80,000 homes, and more in the development pipeline.
For more information visit East Lismore project page at www.landcom.com.au/our-projects/east-lismore.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, said:
"This is an important step towards delivering more homes and greater housing choice for Lismore, while giving flood-impacted homeowners the first opportunity to secure land.
"The Minns Labor Government is working with Landcom and the NSW Reconstruction Authority to turn this land into a new community and get the first lots to market before the end of the year.
"East Lismore shows what can be achieved when we bring housing and recovery together, creating more homes in safer locations while supporting the long-term growth of the community."
Minister for Recovery, Janelle Saffin, said:
"This is another important step in rebuilding Lismore and giving local people more housing choices on safer land.
"Importantly, people who have accepted a buyback through the Resilient Homes Program will get the first opportunity to purchase this land, giving them another pathway to remain in the community they call home.
"There is still plenty of work ahead, but this approval means we can get on with the next stage and start putting real housing opportunities in front of people."
NSW Reconstruction Authority CEO, Kate Fitzgerald, said:
"For people who have made the difficult decision to sell their home through the buyback program, having the choice to rebuild or relocate within Lismore is an important step in their recovery.
"East Lismore will provide more housing options built away from flood prone areas, while helping people to remain connected to their community, schools, workplaces and support networks.
"Reaching this milestone means we can now begin the sales process, giving Resilient Homes Program participants the first opportunity to secure land at East Lismore."
Landcom CEO, Alex Wendler, said:
"Landcom and the Reconstruction Authority have worked hard to secure approval on Stage 1 in just 4 months. This pace shows our commitment to getting on with the job of unlocking much needed homes for the people of Lismore.
"As Landcom celebrates 50 years of operations and reaching 110,000 homes unlocked for the people of NSW, our focus is on delivery and it's great to see our project with RA reach this significant milestone."
Lismore City Council Mayor, Steve Krieg, said:
"Giving buyback participants the first opportunity to purchase these lots is an important recognition of what they have been through and their place in Lismore's future."
"We want local families to be part of our city's next chapter and this development will provide more housing choices while supporting Lismore's long-term growth."
"It is encouraging to see Crawford Road moving closer to welcoming new homes and a new neighbourhood that will be part of our community for generations to come."
