In a region still grappling with the devastating aftermath of the 2022 floods, the urgent need for affordable and secure housing has never been more pressing. This urgency has risen in East Lismore, as illustrated by Landcom’s recent approval of a $30 million project to build 50 build-to-rent apartments near Southern Cross University. This ambitious initiative is a key component of the New South Wales Government’s election commitment and pilot program aimed at increasing rental supply in regional areas facing skyrocketing rents and limited housing options. Inaugurated by the Northern Regional Planning Panel just 68 days after submission to Lismore City Council, the project promises a variety of apartment sizes to cater to the diverse needs and budgets of different households.
Landcom’s project is set to include twenty percent of these apartments as affordable rental housing, specifically aimed at supporting essential workers and families with low to moderate incomes. This development emphasizes not only quantity but also the quality of housing, focusing on sustainability and climate resilience. Features like maximizing solar access and cross ventilation, along with private off-street parking, outdoor communal spaces, and subtropical landscaping, indicate a thoughtful design approach. The project’s site, located at Crawford Road and Military Road, is notably not flood-prone and promises scenic views of nearby bushlands. As construction is expected to begin in 2025 and be completed by 2026, the project has been meticulously shaped by community and stakeholder feedback, planning controls, and site-specific investigations, addressing aspects such as local traffic, environmental impact, and urban design.
Addressing Housing Shortages and Affordability Concerns
With rental markets in regional areas strained to the breaking point, the introduction of new housing projects like Landcom’s build-to-rent apartments is essential. The Northern Rivers region, in particular, has faced significant challenges, including a chronic housing shortage exacerbated by the natural disaster of the 2022 floods. The new apartments are expected to alleviate some of these pressures by providing much-needed affordable housing options. The government’s focus on integrating a mix of apartment sizes ensures that the development caters to a broad spectrum of needs, from single professionals to small families. Additionally, the allocation of affordable units for essential workers and low to moderate-income families is a crucial step toward fostering a diverse and inclusive community.
Government officials, including New South Wales Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, and Minister for Housing, Rose Jackson, have emphasized the critical importance of providing affordable and secure housing, especially in regional areas like the Northern Rivers. The project is not only about building houses but also about creating opportunities for economic growth through job creation during and after the construction phase. Paul Scully pointed out that this initiative could serve as a model for similar regions facing housing crises, highlighting the significance of housing accessibility in fostering regional development. With land prices and construction costs soaring, initiatives like these are vital to mitigate the risk of excluding low-income families from the housing market.
Boosting Community and Environmental Considerations
Community engagement and environmental considerations have played a pivotal role in shaping the development’s planning process. Stakeholder feedback has been integral in ensuring that the project aligns with local needs and preferences. This collaborative effort extends to addressing practical concerns involving local traffic, environmental impact, and urban design elements. Special attention has been paid to ensuring that the buildings are designed with sustainability in mind. By incorporating features such as solar access maximization, cross ventilation, and subtropical landscaping, the project not only aims to lower the environmental footprint but also to offer a higher quality of living to its future residents.
Member for Lismore, Janelle Saffin, praised the strategic investment, underscoring its potential to tackle the acute housing shortage and fulfill the rising demand for smaller homes. Landcom CEO, Alex Wendler, reaffirmed the company’s dedication to delivering well-designed, sustainable, and accessible apartments that resonate with the architectural and lifestyle preferences of the region. The collaboration with Lismore City Council has been particularly instrumental in fast-tracking the project, reflecting a shared commitment to addressing the housing crisis urgently. As the project progresses towards its completion date, ongoing community and stakeholder engagement will remain crucial to ensure that the development effectively meets the anticipated needs and expectations of the East Lismore population.
A Step Towards Economic and Social Revitalization
Looking ahead, the successful implementation of Landcom’s build-to-rent project holds promise beyond just adding to the housing stock. It is poised to play a vital role in East Lismore’s economic and social revitalization. By providing a reliable supply of rental housing, the project can help stabilize the rental market, potentially easing rent hikes. Moreover, construction activities and subsequent management of these apartments are set to generate job opportunities, thereby contributing to the local economy. This dual benefit of housing and employment reflects a holistic approach to regional development, where infrastructural improvements dovetail with economic benefits.
The holistic design strategy incorporated into the apartments’ construction—ranging from environmental sustainability to the integration of communal spaces—reinforces the project’s potential to foster community engagement and resilience. As the region continues to recover from the impacts of the 2022 floods, such developments are critical in offering not just physical shelter but also a sense of community and stability. The East Lismore project could serve as a blueprint for other regional areas facing similar challenges, showing that thoughtful planning and community collaboration can lead to substantial improvements in living conditions.
The Path Forward for Regional Housing Solutions
In a region still reeling from the 2022 floods, the need for affordable, secure housing has become critical. This need is particularly urgent in East Lismore, where Landcom has recently greenlit a $30 million project to build 50 build-to-rent apartments near Southern Cross University. This initiative is part of the New South Wales Government’s campaign to boost rental supply in areas with soaring rents and scarce housing. Approved by the Northern Regional Planning Panel just 68 days after its submission to Lismore City Council, the project aims to offer different apartment sizes to meet the varied needs and budgets of households.
Twenty percent of these apartments are designated as affordable rental housing, targeting essential workers and families with low to moderate incomes. The project focuses on sustainability and climate resilience, featuring designs that maximize solar access and cross ventilation, alongside private off-street parking, outdoor communal spaces, and subtropical landscaping. Located at Crawford Road and Military Road, the site is not flood-prone and offers scenic views of nearby bushlands. Construction is scheduled to start in 2025 and finish by 2026, with community and stakeholder feedback shaping the project to address local traffic, environmental impact, and urban design.
