As part of the largest assisted relocation program in Australian history, the first of four buyback homes have been relocated to the Resilient Lands Program (RLP) site at Mount Pleasant Estate in Goonellabah this week.
The first four homes should be onsite by Christmas, providing a bridge between the $790 million Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Program (RHP) and $100 million Resilient Lands Program (RLP).
The NSW Government's RLP program accelerates new land and housing options and gives participants in the RHP, which is jointly funded by the NSW and Commonwealth Government, more options to move off the floodplain and out of harm's way.
The RA's contractor will relocate the first two homes to Mount Pleasant over the next week. The other two homes are planned to be relocated in December with the first homeowners likely to be onsite in 2025.
One of the key objectives of the project is to demonstrate the relocation process and potential for these character homes and how they can fit within a new neighbourhood.
A local architect has been commissioned to provide the RA with design options for alterations to make sure the homes contribute to the character of the Goonellabah community and surrounding environment.
Mount Pleasant was the second RLP site announced in 2024. The site will demonstrate a mix of small and standard lot sizes as well as detached and attached housing types with a range of price points for buyback participants.
Mount Pleasant is one of seven sites that have so far been identified under the Resilient Lands Program, the others are at East Lismore, North Lismore, Brunswick Heads, Ballina-Lennox Head, Summerland Estate near Casino and Junction Hill near Grafton.
It will also demonstrate housing types that could be rolled out at other RLP sites and builds on the community masterplanning work led by the RA in partnership with the Living Lab and Government Architect NSW.
The RA has held two community information sessions and BBQs at Mount Pleasant in May and September this year to keep the community updated on the proposed development. The masterplan is moving towards finalisation to accelerate the delivery of new homes on the site.
The site will be developed progressively over three stages, from the end of 2024 to 2026.
RHP participants who have accepted a buyback offer will have the first opportunity to purchase property delivered under the RLP. Following the offer to RHP participants, any remaining properties will be made available to the broader public.
