State Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin is calling on the NSW Government to act more decisively to address the Northern Rivers region’s housing crisis, compounded by the catastrophic flooding disaster.
Ms Saffin again has written to NSW Treasurer Matt Kean, seeking $7.5 million to enable 66 townhouses to be built on flood-free land owned by Lismore City Council.
Ms Saffin said the keys would be in the doors of these townhouses by late 2024 if Mr Kean unlocks the $7.5 million from the $120-million regional component of the $300-million third round of the Accelerated Infrastructure Fund.
Affordable and social housing a main priority
‘Building affordable and social housing is my main priority and these two Landcom-assessed projects are the low-hanging fruit under this Fund, which co-funds critical housing-enabling infrastructure. This can be replicated regionally,’ said Ms Saffin.
‘This type of infill development – advanced in planning and low risk – is exactly what is needed to “build back better” as the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation begins its monumental task of rebuilding.’
NSW Government needs to be more decisive
Ms Saffin said the NSW Government needed to act with more decisiveness to help resolve urgent housing issues, by:
Developing a Whole of Housing Reconstruction package; extending rent assistance until people are rehoused; allowing temporary housing on land until permanent housing solutions are found (whatever that might be in individual circumstances), and more flexibility on short-term housing options (e.g. location of pods and mobile homes), and; ensuring the direct involvement of North Coast Community Housing.
Ms Saffin says they also need to expand the role of Landcom in considering local housing options, provide more transparency and clear communications on the Regional Housing Taskforce (what are they doing, what is their pipeline of work etc) and urgently engage with the Federal Government to bring forward contributions from the Housing Future Fund to build social and affordable housing in the Northern Rivers as a matter of top priority (Federal Labor have already committed to this and the NSW Government needs to step up and make this is an urgent priority for delivery).
Thanks Janelle. Federal Labor’s ready & able.
Why then is the NSW Government dragging
the chain? Typically gung ho slow… nothing
changes.
What a lady!
Janelle runs rings around any current( and most previous) elected members on the North Coast.
She could run the joint!
The area was declared a national disaster by the Federal government. How about you rattle the cage of the Labor Federal government for assistance as well. You’ll have to corner Anthony Albanese when he drops back into Australia for a change of clothes, between overseas trips. Can anyone tell me what that oxygen thief Federal Labor Member fro Richmond, Justine Elliot, has been doing since the election. She has done 3/5’s of F.A. in regard to flood assistance.
It sounds like you are suffering from what is commonly called “shit on the liver” Mark; you mist be missing your hero Scomo and his jolly band of corrupt rorters terribly, you poor thing, take a bex and have a good long lay down, it may improve your poor attitude, but somehow I doubt it.
I love Janelle
Our Premier may be ‘the man’ to deal with, Mark. Sounds & looks like
he can arrange any amount of loot & placement from the inside out &
it’s got nothing to do with ‘cry me a river’.
It is not very intelligent to build only townhouses for social housing.
We need to meet the needs of all demographics, not least of all because it is cheaper and quicker to build a tiny house village for single people and childless couples.
Janelle needs to resubmit this claim
How about high rise apartments on top of 3 story car parks? South Lismore can not get any worse.
Saffin’s already said as much, Shane.