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Calls for housing solutions
By Jonathon Howard
MEMBER FOR Lismore Janelle Saffin has called for the Premier Dominic Perrottet to come up with urgent support to address the immediate and longer-term housing crisis set to grip the Northern Rivers. “Just before this devastating flood, I had written to the Premier about the dire housing crisis in Lismore – calling for support and intervention to address housing affordability, supply and the homelessness crisis,” Ms Saffin said. “Now the situation can only be described as diabolical. “We can’t extend the emergency accommodation centres for longer than is absolutely necessary and we desperately need more appropriate solutions for shelter for residents who can’t return home while homes are repaired, and those who have no home to return to. “I am in the early stages of developing a working group of local stakeholders from all levels of government and non-government to collaborate and discuss possible solutions to this unfolding crisis. “We can work with Landcom in NSW as well as Defence Housing Australia.
Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin fled her Lismore home and then had to escape from rising floodwaters by swimming for her life. She said there are lots of people in Lismore with similar stories, making it out with just pets and the clothes they were wearing. Janelle is meeting with Richard Marles MP
months ahead. “We need to ensure that those who were rescued from their flooded houses have somewhere to live and recover while we attempt the rebuild. “Without significant support from all levels of government this region will be in dire straits. “I am calling on the Premier to do what he can to avert a further catastrophe and ensure access to short to medium term accommodation for hundreds if not thousands of displaced residents.”
“I want to include dialogue with organisations such as Habitat for Humanity and Shelterbox who have provided emergency accommodation and modular housing following other disasters. “But we can’t begin discussions without the guarantee of sufficient funding, which can be accessed quickly – to implement any initiatives we arrive upon. “I have called on the Premier to work with myself, local councils, the federal government and others to ensure the Lismore electorate is supported in the critical weeks and
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Housing impact
THE COST and implications for the housing market following the floods is difficult to evaluate, given that for many coastal areas, clean up and damage assessment is yet to commence, according to CoreLogic’s Head of Residential Research Eliza Owen. Ms Owen said across the suburbs impacted by the 2011 Brisbane floods, it took an average of 5.1 years for values to recover to January 2011 levels, with flood-affected areas recording a sharper decline in dwelling values. “Although the 2011 floods saw inundated suburbs recording a larger downturn relative to the Brisbane average in the year following the flood, most suburbs saw a recovery in prices within three to five years with riverside precincts still attracting premium values over areas located further from the river prior to the latest flooding event,” she said. “Australians have historically placed a high value on housing within close proximity to the water; whether this trend changes based on forecasts of more frequent severe weather events is yet to be seen.” Ms Owen said a similar decline in new listings, followed by a rebound in February was similarly evident in the suburbs, suggesting sales and listings did start to pick up after the event. This short time frame between significant flooding events could shift buyer attitudes around housing in low lying areas. It could also result in higher insurance premiums which may dissuade buyers from areas vulnerable to flooding, and increase repair and renovation costs at a time when the building industry is already experiencing high demand and labour and material shortages. Property markets with a low flood risk could attract greater demand over time, resulting in higher prices.
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Saturday, March 10
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55 / 6-8 Stuart Street, Tweed Heads, 1pm-1.30pm
(*Listings in NSW Time)
1/77a Balemo Drive, Ocean Shores, 11am-11.30am
2 / 18 Alva Street, Tweed Heads, 10.30am-11am
DJ Stringer Property Services
37 Hall Drive, Murwillumbah, 11am-11.30am
Tate Brownlee Real Estate
14 Osprey Place, Kingscliff, 10am-10.30am
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26 Donegal Court, Banora Point, 9.30am-10am
29 Wyuna Rd Tweed Heads West, 11am-11.30am
112 Riveroak Drive, Murwillumbah, 12.30pm-1pm
98A Broadwater Esplanade, Banora Point, 10.30am-11am
64 Blamey Drive, Currumbin, 12pm-12.30pm*
LJ Hooker Coolangatta/Tweed
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71 McAllister’s Road, Bilambil Heights, 11.30am-12pm
2 Pontresina Avenue, Tweed Heads, 11am-11.30am
2 Liana Court, Banora Point, 12pm-12.30pm
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