24.9 C
Byron Shire
July 3, 2026
Local NewsFeatured

EOI on buyback homes and emergency pods

By The Echo

Latest News

Local NewsThe Echo - 0

NSW Women of the Year noms open

Nominations are now open for the 2027 NSW Women of the Year Awards. Nationals Member for Tweed, Geoff Provest says the awards recognise and celebrate the outstanding achievements of local women and girls.
Read more

Other News

Local NewsAslan Shand - 0

Public meeting called over Mullum carpark DA

The Mullumbimby Residents Association (MRA) has called a public meeting for Monday, 13 July at 6pm at the Mullumbimby Ex-Services Club to discuss the modified development application (DA 10.2025.212.1) for the carpark at 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby.
Read more
Local NewsHans Lovejoy - 0

A deeper dive into Gulgan Village’s affordable housing

If approved, Gulgan Village, proposed on the highway end of The Saddle Road across 37.9 hectares, could eventually (after a development application process) house up to 1,000 people in around 550 homes, ‘depending on the housing mix’ (source: Gulgan Village Civil Engineering Report).
Read more
Entertainment NewsThe Echo - 0

What do we owe each other?

Some films arrive as an invitation to gather, reflect, and begin a conversation. Common Wealth, screening at Byron Theatre on Friday, 10 July, feels made for that kind of room.
Read more
Local NewsPaul Bibby - 0

New funding path sought for rail trail, but is it too late?

Byron Council will investigate private sponsorship, tourism partnerships, and smaller staged projects as it seeks a new path forward for the long-delayed Northern Rivers Rail Trail (NRRT) after a major federal funding bid failed.
Read more
Byron EchoColin Beaton - 0

Top female player shares tips in Byron

Croquet players from across the Northern Rivers area were privileged to spend time recently with Australia’s top female golf...
Read more
The Good LifeAllie Godfrey - 0

Celebrating native foods this NAIDOC Week at Mullumbimby Farmers Market

NAIDOC Week is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and learn from the world’s oldest living culture, and one of the easiest ways to do that is through Australia’s remarkable native foods.
Read more

The pod village in Brunswick Heads. Photo supplied

Expressions of Interest from eligible organisations are sought for the relocation of buyback homes and temporary pods for community use.

The Reconstruction Authority (RA) say ‘The EOI is offering buyback homes and temporary pods to eligible organisations for use as affordable, social, transitional, crisis or key worker housing, or as community spaces that provide human and social support services to local communities’.
The Echo previously reported that the estimated cost of each pod was around $700-800,000.

‘The program forms part of the NSW Government’s broader housing response to the 2022 floods, and ongoing housing pressures across the Northern Rivers and Central West.

‘The EOI will be open to the following eligible organisations:

  • Aboriginal Community Housing Providers (ACHPs) and Community Housing Providers (CHPs) registered and compliant under the National Regulatory System for Community Housing (NRSCH)
  • Local Aboriginal Land Councils (LALCs)
  • Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations (ACCOs)
  • Local Councils
  • Not-for-Profit community organisations
  • NSW Government agencies and NSW State-owned corporations with a key worker or housing need.

Kyogle mayor Danielle Mulholland. (file pic)

Kyogle mayor Danielle Mulholland told her social media followers on Thursday, ‘I received a phone call yesterday to advise me that the Lismore flood pods are available to Council and not for profit groups (includes Progress Associations, Sporting Clubs, Men’s sheds etc) among other groups’.

‘They are not for commercial use but are to be used primarily to alleviate housing challenges.
‘The pods range from studio pods, two bedroom, three bedroom and four bedroom pods. ‘They all have toilets and showers which can be connected to a water supply (tank or town water) and come complete with appliances and some furniture. They are being given away to try and address community housing needs and shortages but could be adapted to address the needs of homeless people, crisis and emergency accommodation, or even sporting club headquarters, men’s sheds etc. These latter additions are for a community benefit so it couldn’t hurt to give it a try. They can also be connected to mains power.
‘The expressions of interest (EOI) open on the 9th July and close towards the end of August. Here is the link for more information – https://www.nsw.gov.au/…/resilient…/homes-reuse-program
‘I have been advised that the State government will cover the cost of crane fees but you will have to cover transport. That being said, I flagged that the reason we are chasing these pods is because we can’t afford to construct or transport such accommodation.
‘NSW is looking at funding the transport as well but please don’t rely on it and make sure you can cover the cost of transport.
‘The Northern Rivers is being prioritised so it can’t hurt to put in an EOI, and see how the funding falls, so to speak.
‘The pod disposal program is being called the “Homes reuse Program Expressions of Interest.” If you know of any other groups who could use these pods, please circulate this email.
‘There are literally hundreds of pods so let’s make sure we get our share!
‘Please also check the eligibility criteria’, she added.
Previous articleEcological sustainability
Next articleFree conversation helps birthing

For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling.

If you are a local business owner help us and in turn we help you. All The Echo asks for is advertising, not a free ride. It is every advert in The Echo and on www.echo.net.au, which creates the space for all the stories and coverage of community events, happenings and concerns.

If you are a reader you can become a sponsor of The Echo. Your support keeps the us independent.

Even a small one-off or regular donation from you will help keep the echo’s independent voice alive and strong.

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire

You’re supporting The Echo, thank you

Your contribution is keeping independent, local journalism alive in the Northern Rivers.

Because of supporters like you, we can keep every story free for everyone — no paywall, no exceptions. Your money goes directly to funding our newsroom of 40-odd local workers covering the stories that matter to this community.

Tell us what you think, give us your opinion

The Echo loves your letters and comments and is proud to provide a community forum on the issues that matter most to our readers and the people of the NSW north coast. So don’t be a passive reader, email us your epistles at editor@echo.net.au.

The letters deadline for The Echo is noon Friday. Letters longer than 200 words may be cut. The publication of letters is at the discretion of the letters editor. Please remember to include your full name, address and telephone number.

Online comments are no longer available.

Local News

Tourism strategy launched across region

The Echo - 0
Byron Bay will be featured in the first phase of a new tourism marketing strategy designed to 'attract even more visitors, boost local businesses and create jobs across Regional NSW'.
Read more
Local News

Dead whale to be towed back out at Wooyung Beach

The Echo - 0
With a dead juvenile whale washed ashore near Crabbes Creek Beach south of Wooyung Road, Tweed Council say they are preparing to tow it back out to sea on tomorrow morning's high tide.
Read more
Local News

Lismore village parks get an upgrade

The Echo - 0
Lismore City Council say they have completed major upgrades to two much-loved village parks, 'delivering revitalised community spaces for play, recreation and connection in Tullera and Dunoon'.
Read more
Local News

Biodiversity and Agricultural Advisory Committee needs you

The Echo - 0
Council is currently looking for a new volunteer with a particular interest in agriculture to join its Biodiversity and Agricultural Advisory Committee.
Read more

More Articles Like This

Flood buyback homes, pods to be offered as social, transitional, crisis homes

Local News The Echo - 0
Buyback homes in the Northern Rivers are set to get a new lease of life as part of a housing reuse initiative by NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) and Homes NSW.
Read more

More buyback Lismore homes on offer

Local News The Echo - 0
NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) say another ten buyback homes will be auctioned in Lismore. 
Read more

Tweed Council defer extension to Kingscliff pod site and ask for consultation

Local News Aslan Shand - 0
The NSW Reconstruction Authority (NSWRA) intends ‘to extend temporary housing sites to a maximum of five years’ across the Northern Rivers. 
Read more

Calls for accountability on flood response

Local News The Echo - 2
With the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation now subsumed into the newly formed Reconstruction Authority, there still remains confusion and uncertainty from flood-affected residents who were promised funding. 
Read more

Support Us

Become one of the supporters who helps keep independent, local journalism alive in the Byron Shire by contributing anything from as little as the cost of a coffee each month.

You're Wonderful, Thank you for supporting independent journalism in the Byron Shire