Final applications for the Resilient Homes Program in the Northern Rivers
Information for Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Program participants and community members on application closure.
With over 930 buybacks offered in the Northern Rivers, we’re now helping residents finalise applications, and progress with resilience works to strengthen and raise their homes, to reduce the risk and impact of future floods.
If you haven’t applied for the Resilient Homes Program:
We are calling for final applications for Buybacks for eligible homeowners by 31 December 2025. If you have not lodged an application through the online SmartyGrants platform, please apply by the end of this year to ensure your application can be assessed.
New applications for Resilient Measures will close on 31 March 2026. Grant funding can be expended until 31 March 2027.
Unsure if you have applied or are eligible? Contact the Resilient Homes Program team on 1800 844 085 or email resilienthomesprogram@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au to find out more.
If you have applied for the Resilient Homes Program:
Buybacks - all property purchases must be settled by 30 June 2026. Relocations must occur by end of 2026.
Resilient Measures grants - all renovation and building works must be completed by 31 March 2027 with payments finalised and acquitted by mid-June 2027.
Timeframes
| Home Buyback | |
|---|---|
| Final date for new applications | 31 December 2025 |
| All settlements to be complete | 30 June 2026 |
| Resilient Measures | |
| Final date for new applications | 31 March 2026 |
| Requests for funding (scope of works submitted) | 20 December 2026 |
| Works completed and final invoices submitted for payment | 31 March 2027 |
| Assessment and acquittal of grants | Mid-June 2027 |
| Removal of homes from high-risk land | |
| Auction of homes | Until March 2026 |
| Occupancy arrangements end | 30 November 2026 |
| Final date for all private relocations | End of 2026 |
| Final date for home removals (relocation and demolitions) | Mid-June 2027 |
Yes, you can still apply for the Resilient Homes Program (RHP), including a Home Buyback or Resilient Measures grant. Applications for Buybacks will close on 31 December 2025. Applications for Resilient Measures will close on 31 March 2026.
You can apply here or visit Resilient Homes Program.
The Resilient Homes Program must be completed by 30 June 2027, in line with NSW Reconstruction Authority's (RA) funding agreement with the Australian Government.
We are accepting last applications for Buybacks on 31 December 2025 and Resilient Measures on 31 March 2026 so that people who have not applied will still have time to be assessed and progressed through to settlement and/or works.
The timeframes needed to complete Resilient Measures works will be different for everyone, and RA is committed to supporting homeowners at each step.
Since the program commenced in the Northern Rivers in 2022, the Resilient Homes Program team has contacted over 1,300 homeowners to progress a Buyback. 937 offers have been made, 844 offers have been accepted, and 732 homes have been settled*.
*As at 31 October 2025
Our focus is on helping those at highest risk from future flooding events.
We estimate that approximately 1,500 homeowners will receive a home assessment, providing homeowners information on how to make their homes more flood resilient.
Approximately 1,000 homeowners will receive a Buyback, and up to 600 homeowners will receive a Resilient Measures grant, lessening the impact of future floods.
The NSW Government has also provided $5 million for Resilient Lismore Repair to Return (previously Two Rooms Project), which has assisted over 350 people get back into their homes.
A new partnership with GIVIT has unlocked additional funds for Repair to Return. Owner occupiers in the Northern Rivers who were living in their home at the time of the 2022 disaster, and who still need assistance to complete essential property repairs, can apply via Resilient Lismore’s website, in person at the Lismore Hub, or through referrals from community service organisations.
You don’t need to be eligible for the Resilient Homes Program to receive this support.
For more information, you can choose to call, email or visit in person:
Call: 0455 218 692
Home Buyback
Yes, new applications must be received by 31 December 2025.
Eligibility is determined by priority mapping. Homeowners in Priority 1 or 2 mapped areas who have not applied are encouraged to do so.
Homeowners who have chosen not to proceed with an application or an offer may be able to reopen their application.
Please call us on or call on 1800 844 085 or email on resilienthomesprogram@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au.
Please call the Resilient Homes Program team on 1800 844 085 or email on resilienthomesprogram@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au and we can discuss your individual circumstances.
Homeowners in a Priority 3 mapped area that are not eligible for a buyback, may be eligible for a Resilient Measures grant. Homeowners will first complete a short eligibility check and if eligible, will be offered a home assessment inspection.
Homes that are prioritised for a Buyback are in areas with more frequent, high and fast floods. There is a severe risk of future flood damage and a high risk to life to both residents and emergency response agencies sent to rescue them.
If you live in an area with an extremely high risk to life in future floods, you may not be able to access other options within the Resilient Homes Program. That’s because the Resilient Measures proposed will not reduce risk to life in your situation.
If you have been offered a Resilient Measures grant and are unsatisfied, you can request an internal review or an appeal.
Please call the Resilient Homes Program team on 1800 844 085 or email us on resilienthomesprogram@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au and we can discuss your individual circumstances.
Homeowners in high-risk areas are encouraged to consider a Buyback if eligible. The RHP program is voluntary and applies to homes impacted during the 2022 floods.
There is no guarantee future funding for buybacks will be available following future flooding.
Relocating a dwelling takes time and planning. The Home Relocation Checklist has been developed to support homeowners on their relocation journey.
We encourage homeowners, giftees and purchasers of a relocatable home through the sales/auction program to review the checklist for more information on the process
If you have any questions, you can reach out to the Relocations Concierge team by emailing on concierge@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au.
Resilient Lands Program
The Resilient Lands Program (RLP) is a $100 million program focused on identifying and unlocking land to provide safer places for people to live in the Northern Rivers.
In the first half of 2026, land will be available for Resilient Home Program (RHP) participants who are registered for Mount Pleasant Estate. RA is also progressing the release of 85 lots at North Lismore in late 2026, and approximately 400 lots at East Lismore in stages from early 2027.
Other RLP priority sites around the Northern Rivers are at various stages of planning and delivery, with some sites, such as Junction Hill and Kyogle, expected to be available in 2026. Affordable and key worker housing in Mullumbimby, Goonellabah and East Lismore are expected to be delivered in 2026.
If you are the recipient of a Home Buyback and would like to register for the Resilient Lands Program, please email concierge@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au or call 1800 844085.
Gifting and private relocation
Relocation is an option for eligible Home Buyback participants and is also available under Resilient Measures. Home Buyback participants can advise if they wish to relocate their home to a flood resilient location in the region when they accept their offer.
Homeowners eligible for Resilient Measures can apply for a Home Relocation grant of up to $100,000 including GST to relocate their current home to a safer location on their property, or to another property in the region.
If a buyback homeowner chooses not to relocate their home, they can gift the home to someone else who can relocate it for residential use within the region.
‘Gifting’ means that RA will allow a third party to remove the dwelling from the land for $0 (for free), if that person meets certain RA requirements.
The recipient is responsible for all stages of the relocation process. Approval may be required to remove and transport the home, and then to re-install it at the final proposed location.
Auction and relocation
RA is offering selected buyback homes for purchase and relocation via auction.
RA is working with local real estate agents to provide a program of home releases. Appointed agents will be managing the sale of buyback homes for relocation. It is recommended that you visit the real estate agent’s webpage to view current homes for sale.
More information about the process and the types of costs involved in relocating a home can be found on our website.
Resilient Measures
Homeowners in flood affected areas in the Northern Rivers are encouraged to contact the RHP Customer Engagement team if they have not already applied to discuss eligibility.
If eligible and following a home assessment, homeowners will receive a tailored home assessment report. The report provides guidance on what works can be undertaken at their home to improve its resilience. Homeowners can decide which works to pursue, take steps to scope the works, apply for a grant, and then commence works, with support from the RHP Customer Engagement and resilience technical experts.
We’re also working through precincts in the Northern Rivers to prioritise homes in some areas for a Resilient Measures grant.
You can review eligibility requirements on the Resilient Homes Program website, contact the RHP Customer Engagement Team on 1800 844 085 or email on resilienthomesprogram@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au to discuss eligibility requirements.
Following a review of homes impacted by the 2022 floods in the Northern Rivers, areas have been identified where there was significant impact and where homeowners have faced substantial barriers to repairing or returning to their home.
These precincts include South Lismore, Woodburn, Coraki, Tumbulgum, Broadwater, Wardell, and Mullumbimby.
We will send your individually tailored Home Assessment Report following the inspection.
The report provides guidance on what works would suit your home to improve its resilience and provides advice on the process of applying for a grant. Homeowners can decide which works to pursue, take steps to scope the works, apply for a grant, and then commence works.
Please review these next steps fact sheets for information on the Resilient Measures:
Eligible homeowners can receive government grants of up to:
- $100,000 (incl. GST) for larger jobs like home raising, rebuilding, or relocating
- $50,000 (incl. GST) smaller renovations and upgrades like installing water resilient materials, raising power points and outdoor appliances
- Double the available funding with co-contributions from homeowners
Homeowners eligible for the above grants may also seek an extra $20,000 (incl. GST) for upfront costs such as planning, design, and approvals (managing consultants also eligible).
The criteria includes a hardship provision that waives the co-contribution for eligible homeowners.
A range of supports are available for homeowners progressing through the Resilient Measures program:
- Visit us at one of our community pop up locations or a Resilient Homes Expo. Please see our events page for dates and location information.
- Call us on 1800 844 085 and make a booking with an expert or email us at resilienthomesprogram@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au.
- Resilient Lismore is offering a Building Advisory Support Service (BASS) to eligible homeowners across the Northern Rivers. This free service helps guide people through flood-resilient upgrades by connecting them with qualified trades and helping them understand program requirements and work with a builder to complete works. Contact the Resilient Homes Program team to be connected with Resilient Lismore.
- Program materials are available on the Resilient Measures information page our website.
Recycling, relocation and demolition
Yes, homeowners eligible for Resilient Measures can apply for a Home Relocation grant of up to $100,000 including GST to relocate their current home to a safer location on their property, or to another property in the region. This does not apply to recipients of a Home Buyback, a gifted home or a home purchased through EOI or auction.
If a home can’t be relocated, we recycle wherever possible. This includes industry recycling methods, as well as providing former homeowners with the option to exclude some items prior to selling us their home. Materials retained include hot water systems, doors, windows, timber floors, cladding, structural timbers, kitchen cabinetry and solar panels. Some of these materials are available at second hand facilities.
During demolition, machines remove the remaining materials and they are sorted into recycling streams: metal, concrete, timber, organics, and general waste. Even timber that is unable to be reclaimed gets mulched or reused.
So far, over 77% of materials (excluding asbestos) have been recycled.
Reclaimed materials from flood-affected homes are available through local second-hand building suppliers. The following locations have been used:
- AJ Magnay's Building Materials and Hardware - Lismore call on 02 6621 5549
- Solid Grain Timbers - Byron call on 0482 964 574
- Ballina Demolitions - Ballina call on 02 6683 4008
- Red Ned's- Murwillumbah call on 07 5524 4244.
These businesses are the best point of contact for the public seeking recycled materials. For safety reasons, please do not approach demolition contractors directly.
All homes must be relocated by the end of 2026.
Additional homeowner support is provided by RHP Relocation Officers
Please see our Relocation Checklist for information on the relocation process.
While our priority is to relocate homes wherever possible, some dwellings will be demolished. Each home is assessed following settlement including for hazardous materials, structural integrity and viability for relocation (for example, there may be obstructions that prevent relocation, or it may not be able to be relocated due to its construction type). Homes that are structurally unsound, severely dilapidated and or a brick-on-slab home are not suitable for relocation.
Where possible, Buyback participants are given the opportunity to either relocate or gift their homes. They can also retain materials for future use, including windows, solar panels, and kitchen fixtures.
Support
Contact the Resilient Homes Program team
Please call us on 1800 844 085 or email on resilienthomesprogram@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au to make a face-to-face booking. We can help you to progress your grant application and provide advice on getting works underway.
Resilient Homes Expos and Information Sessions
We continue to hold Resilient Homes Expos and Information Sessions where you can speak with flood resilient design experts, explore resilient options and materials, meet builders, speak with council officers and run through your grant application with staff.
Please see our events page for dates and location information.
Visit us at an Information pop-up
We often hold pop-ups in Murwillumbah, Mullumbimby, Woodburn, Coraki and Clarence Valley. Appointments are also available at our office at 218 Molesworth Street, Lismore.
Please see our events page for dates and location information.