In response to the ongoing situation at Pine Street, Lismore, a NSW Reconstruction Authority spokesperson has made the following statement to The Echo.
‘We will continue to work with police and local community leaders to resolve this situation so we can progress the critical work needed to support Lismore’s recovery. Our priority is the safety of the community and our staff.
‘RA staff have been working respectfully with the illegal occupants since mid-204 to reach a solution. We are concerned and disappointed that our staff were subjected to verbal abuse on Wednesday morning.
‘After exhausting all options, notices to vacate the properties were issued to approximately 40 occupants in January – the letter included advice that we would take steps to disconnect water services that had been illegally reconnected, occupants were also verbally advised.
‘On Wednesday, contractors acting on behalf of RA attempted to permanently disconnect the water services. The illegal occupants blocked access to the water mains and on advice from Police, the contractors and RA staff left the area because of safety concerns.
‘The Resilient Homes Program is focused on enhancing the safety of the community. The homes currently being occupied illegally were bought back under the RHP because they are in an area most at risk to current and future floods.’
Background
The statement also said, ‘The NSW Reconstruction Authority is leading the Resilient Homes Program, a critical initiative that offers buybacks for homes severely impacted by the catastrophic 2022 floods and which now pose an extreme and ongoing threat to human life in future flooding events.
‘The homes currently illegally occupied are situated in an area that was devastated by the floods, making their buyback essential to stop further risk to life and to protect the community.
‘As part of the buyback process, services including power and water were disconnected and fencing erected to prevent unauthorised persons from entering the houses and to ensure public safety.
‘RA, NSW Police, Homes NSW and Social Futures have made extensive efforts to engage with the illegal occupants, offering alternative accommodation and access to support services, most of these offers have been rejected.’
More as the story develops.
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