1500 new home sites for Richmond Valley

position to apply for more funds.

“It is a further step in our food recovery here in the Richmond and of course more broadly across the Northern Rivers.”

The Northern Rivers Times asked, as this announcement was made on the banks of the river at Woodburn, if there was land opening up for food-affected residents closer to the riverside village.

“That’s something the council will work through,” Cr Williamson said.

“This land (at Fairy Hill) was identifed some months ago… as one of the lands in the Richmond Valley Council area that is eligible for this funding.

“What I’m working for, for Woodburn is the Resilient Homes. I want to see houses raised and want to see homes retroftted because it’s really important that communities like Woodburn are kept together.

“We have a critical mass, so schools continue to function and shops continue to function.

“It’s coming, I can tell you we are all working very hard, places like Woodburn, Broadwater to ensure that they get their fair share too.”

Reconstruction Authority’s CEO,

Malcolm Lanyon, said food-affected buyers will be prioritised to buy the new blocks of land at Fairy Hill as they come on the market.

“Under the Resilient Homes program, people that are in that program are actually prioritised for the Resilient Lands program,” he said.

There is, however, a question around the affordability of the blocks when they will be available.

Richmond Valley mayor, Robert Mustow said this was an exciting time for the Richmond Valley.

“With plans for new jobs and more houses on food-free land and at more affordable prices compared to many areas across the Northern Rivers,” he said.

Member for Lismore and Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, Janelle Saffn, said this funding was a vitally important next step towards delivering resilient homes for the community.

“It also demonstrates the NSW Government’s commitment to working with community leaders and supporting all parts of the Northern Rivers affected by the 2022 foods,” she said.

This Resilient Lands program announcement follows the recent ones of 400 lots in East Lismore and up to 50 new households in the Mount Pleasant Estate, Goonellabah.

As far as the Resilient Homes program goes, Mr Lanyon said over 100 assessments have been done for the house-raising and retroft program so far.

“I can say there will be an announcement quite imminent on the start of that program, certainly within Woodburn,” he said.