A 72-hectare site at East Lismore, once owned by Southern Cross University, is set to become home to more than 500 flood-resilient houses under a draft masterplan released by the Minns Labor Government, marking another milestone in the Northern Rivers’ flood recovery.
The Crawford Road project is being delivered by Landcom and the NSW Reconstruction Authority through the Resilient Lands Program. Landcom is now inviting community feedback on the draft masterplan until Sunday, 16 August, before the plan is finalised. The project is designed to give flood-impacted residents the first opportunity to relocate to safer ground while staying connected to Lismore.
The draft masterplan proposes more than 500 homes across the site, with a mix of terraces, duplexes, freestanding homes and relocated buyback homes to suit different budgets and lifestyles. At least 20 per cent of the homes would be set aside as affordable housing for low to moderate income households, and eligible Resilient Homes Program buyback participants would get priority access before land and homes are released to the wider market. The design also includes a bigger tree canopy, water-sensitive urban design, walkable streets and homes kept clear of flood-prone areas.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said the masterplan showed how good planning could help meet housing need in the region.
“This draft masterplan demonstrates how good planning can help deliver more homes while creating a neighbourhood designed for the future,” Minister Scully said.
“With the potential for more than 500 homes, including affordable housing, this proposal will help meet housing need in the Northern Rivers.”
“By releasing the draft masterplan now, we’re giving the community an opportunity to help shape the future of this important site as development progresses.”
A first stage of about 100 homes, on a five-hectare portion at the northern end of the site, is being planned alongside the wider masterplan and is currently being assessed by Lismore City Council. The new neighbourhood will sit close to Southern Cross University, local schools, shops and transport.
For Minister for Recovery and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin, the masterplan is personal.
“I know and feel firsthand how deeply our community has waited for safe, secure housing options that keep us together,” Minister Saffin said.
“This masterplan is another step forward. It isn’t just about putting roofs over heads, it’s about giving local families a genuine pathway to stay in the community they love, on safe ground.”
“We want this neighbourhood to reflect Lismore, which is why local feedback is so critical. I encourage everyone to look at the plans and help us shape this next chapter of our recovery.”
Getting to this point took years of negotiation, with the site formerly held by Southern Cross University before Landcom took on the developer role.
“This housing development took time to firstly acquire a large enough block of land and then to negotiate it with the then owner, the Southern Cross University, and to get Landcom to take on the developer role, but today here it is the masterplan for 500 homes for families,” Minister Saffin said.
“We also have paid for infrastructure required to establish the development and to service it. This made it then possible.”
Next door, Landcom is already building 50 Build-to-Rent apartments on the East Lismore Build-to-Rent site, funded through the NSW Government’s build-to-rent program to provide secure homes for long-term renters. Construction broke ground in November, and with foundations now laid, work has moved on to the main building structures, with completion on track for late 2026, weather permitting.
NSW Reconstruction Authority Chief Executive Kate Fitzgerald said the draft masterplan was a key step in turning recovery planning into action.
“The Reconstruction Authority’s focus in 2026 is delivery, and this draft masterplan marks an important milestone in progressing the Resilient Lands Program from planning to implementation,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“East Lismore is a significant opportunity to support new housing supply on land with lower flood risk, while helping people remain connected to their community.”
“We are committed to working with government, councils and the community to keep momentum behind this program and deliver practical outcomes for the Northern Rivers.”
Landcom, the NSW Government’s property developer, is delivering thousands of homes across Greater Sydney and regional NSW, including the Northern Rivers, South Coast and Central West. The Minns Government says its planning reforms and surplus land audit have grown the state’s housing pipeline to the highest number of homes under construction in the country, more than 80,000, with more still in the pipeline.
Landcom Executive General Manager Built Form Andrew Cooper said the masterplan reflected months of detailed planning work.
“This draft masterplan shows how smart planning can help us make more homes happen while creating a neighbourhood that responds to the unique character of East Lismore,” Mr Cooper said.
“Through detailed planning and design, we’ve identified opportunities to accommodate more than 500 homes through a broader mix of housing types, creating more housing choice for the community.”
“We’re looking forward to hearing community feedback as we continue shaping East Lismore’s future.”
Community members can view the draft masterplan and have their say at joinin.landcom.nsw.gov.au/eastlismore before submissions close on Sunday, 16 August.
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