Through an Expression of Interest (EOI) announced today, nearly 30 homes purchased under the buyback stream of the $880 million NSW and Commonwealth Governments Resilient Homes Program (RHP) will be made available for sale and relocation under an innovative new initiative.
A range of homes are on offer, from charming old timber homes to those needing more work to bring them back to their former glory. Many homes feature front verandas, high ceilings, and traditional features. From quaint to grand, this first release offers homes in a variety of sizes and styles.
The homes are rich with stories and community heritage and are ready to be relocated to a safer location. This proposal will ensure that they can continue to house future generations.
The NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) will test community interest by exploring options to enable the relocation and reuse of RHP homes, in line with community expectations.
RA has appointed local real estate agent PRD Northern Rivers to market and manage the sale of the homes in the Northern Rivers.
The homes will be offered for sale under an EOI process, with priority given to people impacted by the 2022 floods and those who are seeking to relocate a home within the Northern Rivers.
All have undergone an assessment so that buyers can understand what work will need to be completed as part of the home’s relocation and renovation.
To help with community recovery and to make the best use of housing that is fit-for-purpose, the RA intends to make available as many of the homes as possible.
The EOI opens today, 22 December 2024. The homes will be displayed on the PRD Northern Rivers website and will be open for inspection prior to the EOI closing on 14 February 2025. For more information go to the RA’s website at www.nsw.gov.au/relocatable-homes-eoi or PRD Northern Rivers at www.prd.com.au/northernrivers/relocation-homes.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
“Making sure that people have access to homes that are safely located away from floodplains is an important part of future proofing our communities in areas like the Northern Rivers.
“This initiative is an inventive way of keeping the homes within the region for future generations to enjoy.
“Relocating and reusing these homes and giving them a new lease on life is something this community wants to see happen.”
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
“This important work in the Northern Rivers is being undertaken to preserve the sense of community as well as provide better protection from future floods.
“Through this plan, we are helping to retain and conserve older character-filled buildings as well as homes which hold significance to the community, something so clearly articulated to us by locals who love the sense of history.
“By relocating these houses away from floodplains, we are saving a home while also moving it to a safer area, with those impacted by the 2022 floods prioritised under the EOI process.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin said:
“While we need to remove these homes from the floodplain and move people out of harm’s way, we don’t want the region to lose its character along the way.”
“Many of these homes are made from timbers that are rare and very valuable.”
“To have them picked up, moved to a new location, spruced up and have a new family move in is a fantastic result for the whole community.”
MEDIA:
Caitlin Roodenrys | Minister Scully | 0401 654 818
Emily Simpson | Minister Dib | 0438 342 966
