Resilient Lands Program
The RLP is a $100 million state government-funded program focused on identifying and unlocking land to provide safer places for people to live in the Northern Rivers.
It’s part of a package of measures to provide more housing choices by accelerating the supply of land and housing for flood impacted residents across the Northern Rivers.
The RLP is being delivered in conjunction with the $880 million Resilient Homes Program (RHP), which is jointly funded by the Australian and NSW Governments.
The RLP aims to address constraints in the housing market across the Northern Rivers to unlock land supply and support a more diverse range of residential development. Fundamentally, the market is not delivering housing at the speed, the scale, the price, or with the type of land and housing opportunities to meet the needs of RHP buyback participants and the broader community.
RHP participants will have priority access to purchase new land and housing available at RLP priority sites, with prices to reflect the local market.
Priority sites
The NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) conducted an expression of interest process, in 2023 to identify sites suitable for climate-resilient residential development across the Northern Rivers Local Government Areas (LGAs).
More than 300 submissions were received and assessed by an independent Expert Panel through a rigorous land suitability process. Three sites in the Lismore LGA were chosen as priority sites to be delivered by RA and its partners.
New housing opportunities
Progressing site planning with councils
We are partnering with local councils to help progress short and long-term housing initiatives in their communities. Purchase of these developments will be open to all when released for sale. The developments we are supporting councils to progress are listed below. The Resilient Lands Strategy provides information about these projects.
Ballina Shire Council:
Hutley Drive, Lennox Head
Ballina Shire Council has received $210,000 to boost local housing options. This funding is for 3 projects, including: progressing housing opportunities with Homes NSW; studies to help recommend ways of improving feasibility of development in Ballina; and to help fast-track the planning and design of much needed medium-density housing on council-owned land at Hutley Drive, Lennox Head.
Our support will ensure homes are built on flood-resilient land. It's a key step towards unlocking housing potential in Ballina and encouraging investment in centrally located homes, directly supporting the Ballina Shire Housing Strategy's goal of housing local workers.
Byron Shire Council:
Saddle Road Precinct at Brunswick Heads
Planning for the Saddle Road precinct, is underway to provide for between 600 - 800 new homes, thanks to a $300,000 investment from RA. This funding supports the Saddle Road Precinct development; covering the creation of a Structure Plan, an Infrastructure Priority Plan, Aboriginal heritage, environmental and other technical studies and community engagement for the project.
Separately, the Gulgan village component has received gateway approval from the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) and Council, the developer and RA are working to progress to finalise the rezoning process.
Further information about the Saddle Road Precinct is available on Byron Shire Council’s website.
Clarence Valley Council:
Summerland Way site at Junction Hill
We are leading the preparation of a Transport Study for Junction Hill in collaboration with Transport for NSW and Clarence Valley Council. The study will inform intersection upgrades needed to unlock the development of up to 1,000 new homes at Summerland Way and Trenayr Road, Junction Hill.
The first stages of the development are available for sale, and intersection upgrades are needed to unlock the remainder of the site.
Kyogle Council:
Mayfield Estate, Kyogle
We are partnering with Kyogle Council and developers to progress the delivery of land at Stage 2A of Mayfield Estate. The estate could provide land for new and relocated homes to meet the needs of the community.
We have also supported Council with funding for and Kyogle Council’s Local Growth Management Strategy and initial ideas for the town centre's revitalisation.
Richmond Valley Council:
Summerland Estate, Fairy Hill, north of Casino
We have provided funding to Richmond Valley Council to progress planning and infrastructure investigations and a business case for a large subdivision that could accommodate up to 1,500 new homes over time. Further funding is needed to support infrastructure improvement and connect services to the site, in order to rezone the land.
Tweed Shire Council:
North Arm Road
We are unlocking the development of land at North Arm Road, Murwillumbah by working with Tweed Shire Council and landowners to facilitate planning and infrastructure upgrades. This has included completing a structure plan and agreements to support Council with funding for infrastructure to support the development of housing.
Co-funded affordable homes
We are working on affordable rental housing projects co-funded with Landcom, local councils and community housing providers to deliver up to 88 new, affordable rental homes for low-to-moderate income earners.
Byron Shire Council-owned land at 57 Station Street, Mullumbimby, will be used to deliver up to 32 dwellings including studios, and 1 and 2 bedroom units for people on low-to-moderate incomes. Landcom invited the community to provide feedback on this development in late 2024. You can learn more about this project at Landcom Mullumbimby.
Lismore City Council is contributing land at 69 Cynthia Wilson Drive, Goonellabah, for the development of 40 affordable housing units by Landcom. The council is also providing a long-term lease to support the development of 16 affordable rental townhouses by Landcom at 44 Bristol Circuit, Goonellabah. Community consultation for these projects was carried out in early 2025. More about these projects can be found at Landcom Goonellabah.
Resilient Lands Strategy
The Northern Rivers Resilient Lands Strategy (PDF 3.97MB) sets the direction for safer housing in the region. It helps unlock land to support flood-affected residents relocate and strengthens the region's resilience.
We are implementing the strategy in collaboration with councils and a wide range of stakeholders across the Northern Rivers.
The Strategy pinpoints key sites for fast-tracked development, backed by the RLP. The strategy details how we chose these sites, how we consulted with the community, and how we'll support homeowners who need to relocate.
Working with councils and other partners, our program boosts, not replaces, existing housing developments.
Support and registration
Register for the Resilient Lands Program
If you’re a Resilient Homes Program participant who has accepted a buyback offer, you’ll be given the first opportunity to purchase new land and homes from Resilient Lands Program priority sites before they’re offered to the open market.
Register your interest for the Resilient Lands Program with our Concierge Service so you can be informed about program updates, site announcements and site engagement opportunities.
The Concierge Service provides support for Resilient Homes Program customers who have received buybacks.
Our Relocations Officers are available to provide information and support on the house relocation process, RA’s requirements and information on each of our sites.
Face-to-face support is available via our appointment-based service. Please email concierge@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au or call 1800 844 085 to book a time.
For general enquiries about the Resilient Lands Program, please email rlp@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au or call 1800 844 085.