Lismore City Council considers golf course for location of mixed-use precinct

Lismore is currently facing significant decisions about rebuilding options following the devastating floods that impacted the region in February and March this year.

Lismore City Council has released a discussion paper that presents ideas to consider for how Lismore can build back better with some of the options identified including new commercial or mixed-use precinct to be located on the golf course land at East Lismore.

The floods inundated thousands of homes and businesses and, more than two months later, many have not returned or are still struggling to plan a rebuild.

Council general manager John Walker said the aim was to put forward the paper with a range of ideas for public feedback and discussion.

“This discussion paper will be out there for six weeks and we encourage businesses, landowners and the general community to have a look and to gives us their feedback,” he said.

Walker added "Included in what was suggested is a planned retreat of residential dwellings in North and South Lismore. That's where the issue of land swaps and buybacks would come into play."

Walker said the paper also proposed maintaining the CBD in its current riverside location with extra flood protection measures.

But he said the council also needed to identify land for other light industrial areas.

"One, which may be controversial, is looking at a new mixed-use centre on the golf course … which is, I think, 32 hectares of mostly flood-free land," he said.

Walker also advised the process would be a complex one that involved state government and the housing task force.

Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said all options were up for discussion and noted "this is a discussion paper and floating ideas, giving people the opportunity to speak and voice their opinions as to where they want to see Lismore head. This is people's livelihoods and people's homes and people's businesses.

"We need to get an overall picture of what people are thinking before we can take on board the idea of where Lismore is going to be in the next five, 10 or 15 years' time."

Other ideas for Lismore's rebuild include:

• Planned retreat of the most high flood risk areas of North and South Lismore. Council will advocate for a State and Federal Government funded land swap arrangement to allow residents to move to higher ground but remain close to existing social networks and jobs.

• Protection of the CBD and land on the eastern side of the Wilsons River through flood mitigation measures.

• Expanding the industrial precinct at Goonellabah.

• New medium density zoning and increased height controls for strategically located flood-free sites.

• Ensuring affordable housing is included as part of Lismore’s growth by introducing an Affordable Housing Contributions Scheme (AHCS) for all land identified for future residential rezoning or a change in LEP controls to allow for greater density. An AHCS is a mechanism in the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act that allows Council to collect developer contributions for the purpose of providing new affordable housing.

• Review of the Infrastructure Delivery program to identify measures to fast-track infrastructure to new land releases outside of flood affected areas.

The review of Lismore’s Land Management Strategy discussion paper is available at Your Say Lismore www.yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au Written feedback can be provided until 10th June, 2022.

Two public forums will be held at the Lismore Heights Sports Club on Monday, 23rd May at 5.30pm and Wednesday, 25th May at 11.30am. Bookings are essential and can be made at www.yoursay.lismore.nsw.gov.au

Image top: Courtesy Lismore Workers Golf Club; image above of flooding in Lismore courtesy Lismore City Council