Communities across the North Coast stand to benefit from faster access to temporary housing after disasters, with the NSW Government establishing a dedicated panel of caravan suppliers to support recovery efforts.
The move expands the NSW Reconstruction Authority Disaster Recovery Standing Panel to include pre-qualified caravan suppliers who can be activated immediately following floods, bushfires, storms and other emergencies.
For regions like Lismore and other parts North Coast severely affected by repeated big floods in recent years, access to temporary accommodation has been one of the most urgent challenges in recovery. After the 2022 flood, the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia organised a caravan convoy, calling on caravan owners to donate or loan them to people in need.
Under the At-Home Caravan Program, caravans are placed directly on residents’ private property, allowing families who have lost their homes to remain on their land while they rebuild or repair, or while longer-term housing arrangements are made.
Minister for Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin said secure accommodation is critical in the aftermath of disaster.
“Safe and stable accommodation is one of the most urgent needs for people recovering from a disaster, and I know how important it is for people displaced by disasters to stay connected to their community while they rebuild,” Ms Saffin said.
“By expanding the Disaster Recovery Standing Panel to include caravan suppliers, we are able to help people stay on their land.
“This is about being better prepared and making sure practical housing solutions can be delivered quickly when they are needed most.”
An open market Request for Quotation will run until 18 March through the Buy NSW website to identify caravan suppliers capable of rapid deployment. Approved suppliers will form part of a pre-qualified network ready to respond when disasters strike.
NSW Reconstruction Authority Executive Director Recovery Ashlee Abbott said the program has already proven effective in regional areas.
“The At-Home Caravan Program has proven to be a critical option for communities recovering from disasters, particularly in regional and rural areas,” Ms Abbott said.
“Establishing a dedicated panel of caravan suppliers means we can act faster, with confidence, and scale up temporary accommodation when future events occur.
“It also gives industry a clear pathway to support recovery efforts and play a direct role in helping communities through some of their toughest moments.”
The Government said formalising the supplier panel is part of efforts to ensure the state is better prepared for future extreme weather events, particularly in high-risk regions such as the Northern Rivers and Mid North Coast.
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