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Byron Shire
August 29, 2026

Flood-impacted homeowners get an extension on assistance

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A buyback home at 185 Magellan Street, Lismore. Photo supplied

Flood-impacted homeowners across the Northern Rivers and Central West will have more time to make decisions to raise or retrofit homes, says the NSW government, with an  extension to the Resilient Homes Program timelines announced.

The media release says, “Under the updated timelines, buyback settlements will continue through late 2026, while resilient measures – including home raising or retrofitting – can now be completed up to December 2028”.

“For homeowners considering resilience measures such as raising or retrofitting, the extension provides additional time to obtain advice, secure builders, finalise designs and complete construction, responding to the well documented capacity constraints in the Northern Rivers building market.

Bella, centre, with her parents cleaning up and rebuilding after the 2022 floods. Photo supplied

“For those looking to relocate homes, the extension allows more time to secure land and approvals for private relocations, including the delivery of land through the Resilient Lands Program.

“In Lismore, planned land releases under the Resilient Lands Program which provide first preference to Resilient Homes Program buyback participants include:

  • Mount Pleasant Estate with land and houses for sale from June 2026, with first preference to Resilient Lands Program participants who are owner occupiers
  • North Lismore (Dunoon Road) pre-sales in mid to late 2026, with lots ready in the second half of 2027
  • East Lismore (Crawford Road), pre-sales in mid–late 2026, with Stage 1 lots ready mid–late 2027.

“The NSW Reconstruction Authority is engaging program support services to help homeowners make the most of their resilient measures grant funding all the way up to the new deadline.

“Homeowners will receive direct communication about the changes, along with access to information sessions and concierge support to help them understand their options and next steps. Updated information, including key dates, will be available on NSW Government channels.

“The Resilient Homes Program, jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments through Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, supports flood-affected homeowners to buy back, raise or retrofit homes”, they say.

For more information on the Program. visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/resilienthomesprogram

 



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