Member for Ballina, Tamara Smith MP, today visited residents of the Wollongbar temporary accommodation pods, following Ballina Shire Council's recent decision to extend the lease of the pod village by just six months.
In 2022, NSW Reconstruction Authority leased the land off Ballina Council to situate temporary pods to house displaced families after the devastating floods of the same year.
Earlier this month, these displaced families received a letter advising they had to move out of the Wollongbar pods by November 2024 due to the lease of the Council land being up.
Following a request from the Reconstruction Authority to extend the lease for as long as possible, Ballina Council voted to extend it by only six months, which means pod residents will have to leave early 2025.
Today, Tamara Smith MP and Greens Councillor Kiri Dicker visited residents of the Wollongbar pods to discuss what this means for the vulnerable people living there.
During her visit, Tamara Smith MP spoke with several families who shared their anxieties about the approaching deadline. Many expressed frustration and fear about finding suitable, long-term accommodation during a housing crisis, within such a tight timeframe.
"It beggars' belief that there are sitting councillors on Ballina Council who have denied a 12 month extension of these vulnerable residents for no good reason", Ms Smith said.
"There is an acute housing crisis, the Wollongbar community including our sporting clubs have been so generous and welcoming towards our flood affected neighbours, and the residents of the pod village have been exemplar.
"Who exactly would be hurt by extending the lease on humanitarian grounds?"
"The Reconstruction Authority asked for as much of an extension as possible in discussions leading up to a formal request but were informed that only two months was on offer. Thankfully our Greens Councillors pushed hard for longer and and we got a six-month extension.
"I reassured the residents that I am here to support them and to back in the work of the Reconstruction Authority who are doing everything they can to transition residents into secure housing. I am deeply disappointed with the councillors who voted to turn them out", Ms Smith concluded.
