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The first temporary housing site for the flood-affected Northern Rivers community has been installed at Wollongbar, with the NSW government promising over a dozen more sites to come.
The housing pods, which were first developed to provide shelter for people who had lost their homes during the 2019-20 Black Summer bushfires, are now on the ground in the Northern Rivers town, with allocations beginning as soon as utility connections are complete.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole noted that a substantial number of medium-term living accommodations were needed because “for many residents across the Northern Rivers, returning home is simply not an option”.
“Temporary housing will play a big role in providing the accommodation that’s desperately needed,” he added.
The Wollongbar site, which is about 20 minutes from both Lismore and Ballina, has the capacity to house up to 220 people in pod-style set-ups as well as dozens of caravans.
Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience and Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke said the NSW government recognised the importance of temporary housing in helping communities rebuild.
“Housing is one of the greatest challenges we face in the wake of the unprecedented flooding. Our priority is for everyone affected by this disaster to have access to safe housing while they rebuild and recover,” Ms Cooke said.
“Wherever possible we want to support people in getting back to their homes which is why it’s so important to have medium term housing solutions, like these pods, in place,” she said.
The NSW government has also committed to working on longer-term housing solutions for flood-affected communities.
The Minderoo Foundation, a not-for-profit, worked in partnership with the NSW government to develop the pods several years ago, after the devastating bushfires that destroyed close to 2,500 homes.
Adrian Turner, the organisation’s fire and flood resilience lead, said it was crucial to continue to support communities like the Northern Rivers with urgent relief to help them build back stronger in the long term.
“We hope the pods will now provide help and hope to flood-affected communities and enable them to rebuild in the long-term,” Mr Turner said.
Housing provider North Coast Community Housing is managing the running of the Wollongbar site.
The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation, a newly created entity, has been tasked with coordinating the planning, rebuilding and construction work of essential services, infrastructure and housing beyond the immediate response and recovery phase.
