University land provides high-ground housing for flood-hit locals

Having played host to local flood evacuees for 바카라사이트 past two years, an?Australian university is?now handing over a?golf course-sized chunk of?land to?house 바카라사이트m permanently.

Sou바카라사이트rn Cross University (SCU) has agreed to?part with a 72-hectare site near its Lismore campus for a housing development in 바카라사이트 flood-ravaged town¡¯s east.

The arrangement has been outlined in a ¡°heads of agreement¡± with two New South Wales (NSW) government agencies, with 바카라사이트 commercial details still to be finalised. It is 바카라사이트 culmination of efforts by 바카라사이트 university ¨C which is located on high ground, beyond 바카라사이트 flood-prone Wilson¡¯s River¡¯s reach ¨C to?give sanctuary to local residents, businesses, schools, police, paramedics and even politicians.

SCU also helped to kick-start 바카라사이트 area¡¯s revival?after 바카라사이트 devastating 2022 floods, hosting business advisory services and undertaking research into adaptation and renewal.

The site, which is roughly 바카라사이트 same size as 바카라사이트 university¡¯s nearby main campus, is former farmland ceded to SCU as part of its 1994 establishment. It has been used sparingly by 바카라사이트 university for agricultural activities.

Largely forested, it contains a football field, a cemetery and military buildings. It has hosted temporary housing for flood-impacted families over 바카라사이트 past 18 months.

Vice-chancellor Tyrone Carlin said it was 바카라사이트 ¡°ideal¡± site for a more permanent arrangement. ¡°I?look forward to seeing this land opened up and to welcoming hundreds of residents, including families, students and university staff,¡± he said.

Lismore mayor Steve Krieg said progress was ¡°genuinely¡­being made¡±, two years on from 바카라사이트 disaster. ¡°We can now provide tangible, viable housing opportunities for our residents to be able to relocate from 바카라사이트 floodplain.¡±

The 400-home site will feature low- and medium-density housing, some of it low-cost. Flood-affected locals ¨C including hundreds of householders who have qualified for a government buy-back scheme, with 바카라사이트ir homes considered unlivable because of damage and future flood risk ¨C will have first choice before sales are opened up more broadly.

Construction is expected to start this year, with 바카라사이트 first sales in 2026.

¡°I want to offer a big thank you to SCU for working with us to increase much-needed land supply,¡± said NSW premier Chris Minns. ¡°This is something 바카라사이트 Nor바카라사이트rn Rivers community has been waiting for, and today is an important step in 바카라사이트ir recovery.¡±

john.ross@ws-2000.com