Community group Reclaim our Recovery are urging Lismore residents to join a gathering at the Lismore QUAD this Saturday from 11am to ‘stop the demolitions of our Big Scrub heritage homes — and the NSW Reconstruction Authority needs to know we are not going away’.
It comes after the NSW Auditor-General’s recent report, which was critical of the Reconstruction Authority’s administration of flood recovery. They found has found that the Resilient Homes and Resilient Lands Programs, worth $980m, were not effectively planned. Greens MP and North Coast Spokesperson, Sue Higginson, said the program to protect flooded Northern Rivers homes has just one per cent completion rate.
Organisers say, ‘We need as many of you there as possible. There will be tea and coffee, and of course, this incredible irreplaceable, community. Speakers to be announced this week’.
They say there a petition contains more than 2,050 signatures and counting. ‘Thank you. now we need you in person’, they say.
‘This community has shown up in numbers that matter. Our ancient hardwood homes — built from irreplaceable Big Scrub rainforest timber, some over a century old — are being crushed into landfill while the NSW Reconstruction Authority spends over $110,000 per demolition. The Auditor-General has confirmed the program has failed. Promises to relocate and reuse these homes have been broken.
‘Once they’re gone, they’re gone.
‘Please come if you can. Bring a friend. Share this update. The more of us there, the louder our message.
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‘Stop the demolitions: the decision-making process and criteria must be transparent. The waste of heritage homes and quality materials has to stop.
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‘Repurpose existing houses: homes must be used for public housing and community use. Our community has been calling for this for years. It is time the NSW RA delivered what our community needs.
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‘Make Resilient Lands affordable and accessible: land releases mean nothing if flood-impacted people cannot afford them. Relocation contracts must be genuinely extended; not just “considered.”
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‘Extended deadlines must benefit every home: hard-won community advocacy secured the 2028 deadline extension. Every home requiring resilient support must have a workable timeline. Deadlines must not drive demolitions’.
📢 Tag @JanelleSaffin and @ChrisMinnsMP
✉️ Email [email protected] and [email protected]
‘Stand with us. This Saturday. The QUAD – 110 Magellan St, Lismore NSW 2480’.
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