Claims by Federal Member for Page Kevin Hogan that ‘Labor governments are creating a ghetto in our community’ in Lismore have been refuted by the local, grassroots, Lismore group Reclaim Our Recovery (ROR).
Mr Hogan has slammed the Labor government for failing to address the illegal squatters in vacant buyback homes.
‘They are mostly out-of-towners and backpackers, and have moved into these homes without permission, creating serious concerns for our community,’ Mr Hogan said.
‘The Labor government should have acted long before now. Residents of North and South Lismore have told me this is a health and safety issue that needs urgent attention. If the government continues to sit on its hands, our community risks becoming a socioeconomic ghetto.
‘As these homes have been bought back by the state government, it is their responsibility. For the Police to act, they would need to be asked by the owner, which is the state government,’ he said.
Working with occupants
Responding to the claims The NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) told The Echo that, ‘The RA is aware that several people are illegally residing in houses bought back under the Resilient Homes Program (RHP).;
There are more than 20 RHP homes that have been illegally occupied and they say they have been working with occupants to find alternative accommodation.
‘The unauthorised use of the properties without services, provides an unacceptable risk to the health and safety of those persons, including an increased risk from fire and sanitation issues as well as the impact of mould,’ said a RA spokesperson.
‘The RA has been working with Homes NSW, Social Futures, NSW Police and illegal occupants to find alternative accommodation, with some moving voluntarily. The RA is also working with NSW Police and within the appropriate legislation to have illegal occupants removed where they do not leave voluntarily.’
Keeping streets safe not ghettos
However, ROR says that the people living in these houses are not creating a ghetto and are in fact keeping these areas safer.
ROR spokesperson, Miriam Torzillo, told The Echo that there are a mix of people living in these properties and from locals under housing stress to travellers, students, and local workers.
Ms Torzillo explained how the arrangements for occupation of Pine Street was initiated. With the support of ROR and long-term elders of Nth Lismore meetings were held with ‘the Superintendent of Police in Lismore and the RA as well as other relevant members of the community. The Police and RA clarified their concerns and legal obligations, but took a discretionary approach to the situation’.
‘I attended the weekly meeting at Pine Street [the first occupied house] the other week, which is becoming a model of participatory governance and problem solving. Plans were put in place at that meeting to formalise flood plans, general flood preparation including organising of property, and a lively discussion of how residents could continue to engage with the broader community, including volunteering,’ she said.
No more unsafe than for other residents
‘The main argument against “squatting” from the RA perspective is that the squatting is taking place in an area that is deemed unsafe,’ said Ms Torzillo.
She said that there are still many neighbours in houses that were as equally flood impacted that were not part of the buyback or they are unable to currently relocate them due to the timeframes dictated by the Resilient Lands Program (RLP).
‘Affordable lands promised under the RLP are at least a year, or in some cases (East Lismore, Nth Lismore, Casino), some years away,’ she said.
‘The residents in Pine Street, have expert advisers helping them with their flood plan, and are as prepared as any of those still living in houses in Nth Lismore. It is a much safer neighbourhood to live in than other parts of Lismore where houses remain empty. I and many other long term residents can attest to that.
‘The houses are safer with people in them. I worry when houses are empty, as they become mouldy, no one is there to respond if the fire alarm goes off etc. I would rather know that an empty house now has someone living there who treats it as a home, who has some commitment to it.’
Political campaign
Neighbour and academic, Aiden Ricketts, told The Echo that, ‘I am one of the closest neighbours and along with the two other closest neighbours we have observed this little community develop. From the outset it has been positive.
‘They always seek approval from the previous owners (even though the houses are now publicly owned) out of respect and they consulted neighbours. They have liaised with the RA and with police in a respectful way. Properties are maintained, not damaged. Hygiene is maintained.’
It is understood that those staying in the houses have been given seven days to leave even though there had been a policy of discretion from the RA.
‘Suddenly there is a concerted rightwing campaign to punch down against this group. Using tropes and misinformation about them. The fact that it is an open community that allows locals and travellers alike some sanctuary is to be supported in a housing crisis,’ he said.
‘Driving homelessness underground is cruel and leads to worse outcomes. If you want to be informed go to one of their family friendly events. They had the sweetest Xmas event on 27 December. Please everyone, just like in the flood, let’s stay unified and supportive of everyone. There’s nothing to be gained by a punch down campaign here.’
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