Future use of buyback land | Resilient Homes Program
How we are managing future use of buyback land to support community recovery and future resilience.
Home buybacks are part of the Resilient Homes Program and involve the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) buying back certain homes in locations where there is a severe risk of future flood damage and a high risk to life and safety for households.
As buyback homes are progressively removed, RA is working with stakeholders including local councils and communities on the future use of vacant buyback land. This includes areas where there are concentrations of buyback home such as Lismore, South Murwillumbah, Burringbar, Kyogle, Woodburn and Casino.
While buyback land cannot be used for housing, planning for the future use will consider a range of community, environmental, cultural, commercial or industrial uses, where these comply with relevant planning controls and flood risk management frameworks.
The overarching goal is to achieve the best possible outcome for each Resilient Homes Program (RHP) buyback home and site and to manage this process in a way that supports community recovery.
Future land use planning by Local Government Area
Lismore Precinct Planning: Future use of buyback land - in delivery
RA and Lismore City Council (LCC) are working together with the community to explore future uses of buyback land in four Lismore precincts: Lismore Centre, North Lismore, South Lismore and East Lismore.
RA and Lismore City Council are inviting community to provide feedback on practical, flood-compatible uses of buyback land that will support recovery, resilience and the future of Lismore. Consultation is open from 28 September to 1 November 2026. Read more and get involved on the Lismore City Council Have Your Say page.
While the buyback land is no longer suitable for residential uses, decisions on how the land will be used in future is still to be determined. There is more than 50 hectares of buyback land across Lismore combined - the equivalent of about 70 soccer fields, though it is not all side-by-side. RA and LCC want to work through planning provisions, flood risk, opportunities and ideas with the community before making any decisions.
We will update this page with information as it is released. You can also:
- Subscribe to newsletters on Council's website, tick 'Lismore Precinct Planning: Future us of buyback land'
- Contact Lismore City Council on (02) 6625 0500 for enquiries on the project
- Subscribe to RA's newsletter to receive updates about Northern Rivers programs and projects.
South Murwillumbah Master Plan - in delivery
Tweed Shire Council and RA are working together on a resilience-focused master plan for the South Murwillumbah flood buyback precinct. Shaped by community perspectives, the master plan will provide a framework for future land uses that support a safer, stronger and more resilient community.
RA and Tweed Shire Council recently invited community input on the South Murwillumbah Master Plan. Feedback is now being reviewed to help inform the draft master plan.
Read more on the South Murwillumbah Master Plan | Your Say Tweed page.
Burringbar/Mooball future land use plan – in delivery
We are working with Tweed Shire Council to develop the future land use plan for the Burringbar and Mooball areas. The plans will identify short, medium and long-term land use opportunities for RHP buyback properties. The plans will also build on insights from community workshop held in September 2024.
Read the report here:
Kyogle future land use plan – in delivery
We are working with Kyogle Council to develop a plan that will identify short, medium and long-term land use opportunities for RHP buyback properties. The next stage is the appointment of a consultant to support assessment of land use planning options and deliver community consultation.
Casino and Woodburn future land use plans – in delivery
We are working with Richmond Valley Council to develop plans for Casino, Woodburn and other areas. The plans will identify short, medium and long-term land use opportunities for RHP buyback properties. The next stage is the appointment of a consultant to support assessment of land use planning options and deliver community consultation.