M1 PACIFIC MOTORWAY EXTENSION: BRIDGE FOUNDATIONS COMPLETE, CONSTRUCTION SURGES AHEAD

The M1 Pacific Motorway extension has hit a significant construction milestone, with crews driving the final pile to complete foundation works for 11 new bridges between Black Hill and Raymond Terrace.

The milestone clears the way for the next phase of high-intensity construction on one of the Hunter’s most important road projects.

Since February 2024, project teams have installed 278 bridge piles across the 15-kilometre corridor, including 173 piles for the 2.6-kilometre viaduct that will span the Hunter River and surrounding floodplain.

Sixteen piles were installed directly into the riverbed using heavy-lift barges – a complex operation delivered safely and efficiently.

Motorists have already benefited throughout the busy summer period, after new bridges opened at Black Hill, Tomago and Raymond Terrace, and the Masonite Road bridge at Heatherbrae opened in October.

The remaining seven bridges, including the Hunter River viaduct, will open progressively as construction gathers pace.

The $2.24 billion M1 extension project, jointly funded by the Federal Albanese and the NSW Minns Labor Governments, with the Commonwealth contributing $1.792 billion, and NSW contributing $448 million. The project will also deliver the critical Hexham Straight widening, unlocking safer, faster and more reliable journeys across the Hunter.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

These bridge piles are the literal foundations for the nationally significant M1 extension and getting them in place is a major step forward.

This is one of the busiest sections of the Pacific Highway, and I’m pleased the Albanese and Minns Governments are working together to deliver this major improvement.”

NSW Minister for Roads Jenny Aitchison:

Driving the final pile is a powerful milestone – it means the foundations are done and the finish line is firmly in sight.

Along with the Coffs Harbour Bypass, this is a nation-changing piece of infrastructure, and the missing link between Queensland and Victoria – which enable everyone to drive between these two states without passing through a single traffic light.

The M1 extension to Raymond Terrace will transform travel across the Hunter, improving safety, reliability and daily journeys for thousands of motorists.”

NSW Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley:

This is an important milestone for the Hunter. Completing the bridge foundations brings us another step closer to improving how people move to, from and around the region.

By working in partnership with the Albanese Government, we’re delivering infrastructure that improves safety, reliability and supports the Hunter as it continues to grow.”

Federal Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson:

These bridge foundations will stand for decades, supporting transport infrastructure and easing congestion for now and well into the future.

The Albanese and Minns Labor Government are investing in our fast-growing region to ensure the M1 Extension delivers lasting benefits for our local communities.”

Federal Member for Newcastle Sharon Claydon:

The M1 extension is critical to keeping Newcastle and the Hunter moving.

Anyone who’s spent time sitting in traffic at Hexham over this summer holiday, or any other day, knows just how frustrating this bottleneck is for families and commuters.

Today’s milestone shows real progress – delivering congestion relief, better freight efficiency and stronger connections for our region.”

the State Member for Wallsend Sonia Hornery:

This is a huge win for the Hunter workforce and local businesses.

Completing bridge foundations keeps momentum strong and brings us closer to an M1 extension that will support jobs, productivity and safer travel across the region.”

New Year, Same Reason to Extend the ACT’s Waste-to-Energy Ban

Following ongoing heatwaves and ongoing high fire risks, the ACT Greens are pushing for the ACT Government to renew their now lapsed policy to ban waste-to energy incinerators.

ACT Greens Deputy Leader Jo Clay says that there is no social license for waste-to-energy incinerator projects in the region.

“Right now we are seeing the real impact of climate disasters: destruction, disconnection and lives lost. We cannot afford for governments to stall on climate action – and that includes a long-lasting ban on waste-to-energy,” Ms Clay said.

“Following the NSW Government’s proposal for a waste-to-energy incinerator in Tarago, people in Canberra, and the Queanbeyan and Goulburn regions have contacted the Greens concerned about the impact it will have on our region.

“Waste-to-energy produces harmful byproducts and pollutants like heavy metals, toxic air pollutants, bottom ash, furans and dioxins. It poses many risks for people, nature, our waterways, agriculture and our climate.

“Burning waste for energy creates greenhouse gas emissions and is not a sustainable or efficient source of energy.

“The ACT’s Waste-to-energy Policy 2020-25 prohibits thermal waste-to-energy including incineration, gasification and pyrolysis. It’s time for Labor to put the conversation to rest and extend the ban indefinitely.

“Canberrans have a right to a healthy environment. They have a right to know the ACT Government will continue to prohibit harmful and polluting waste-to-energy incinerator projects.

“Considering the ACT is powered by 100% renewable electricity and is phasing out fossil fuel gas, there is no reason for the Government to delay renewing the ban.”

Ms Clay also urges the ACT Government to immediately progress establishing a circular economy in Canberra to manage waste without harming people and planet.

“Waste-to-energy disincentivises our moves towards a circular economy. It can also promote more waste generation than ever before.

“In the ACT, we have a resource recovery target of 90%. But our actual resource recovery has dropped to only 65%. We need the government to do more – to put policies in place that reduce waste production and create a lifecycle solution for waste we generate.

“We need local recycling facilities that can process household waste so there’s no need to burn it – like soft plastics.

“Instead, the ACT Labor Government sits back and waits for a federal scheme to manage soft plastics, even though it’s taken decades to progress.

“Governments at all levels must work with industry to design out waste and stop the problem at its source.

“If we don’t move towards a circular economy, we will see more waste in landfill and more harmful solutions for waste management like waste-to-energy projects.”

Chair of Toxics Free Australia, Jane Bremmer:

“The ACT has been a leader and a beacon of light in safeguarding a sustainable zero waste policy for a true Circular Economy in Australia.

“Burning our waste makes no sense when it is the most expensive and polluting way to make energy or manage what should be the smallest fraction of our waste stream – residual waste.

“Waste incineration threatens the urgent, global transition to clean renewable energy, emitting more carbon pollution than coal and gas per unit of energy, supports and vindicates the existing policy position of the ACT Government and the ACT Greens’ leadership.

“Advanced Waste Sorting Technologies coupled with non- combustion residual waste technologies can deliver the sustainable, climate friendly, cheaper and more secure, waste management framework that Australia needs and with 200 times more jobs.

“While the waste incineration industry currently has no social license to operate in Australia and with the EU turning away from this technology, the ACT should continue to uphold its ban for the protection of future generations.”

Premier Malinauskas must apologise to save the Adelaide Festival

acting leader of the Australian Greens and Arts spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young:

“The cancellation of the beloved Adelaide Writer’s Week is a dark day for the arts in South Australia and now the future of the Adelaide Festival as whole hangs in the balance.

“Premier Peter Malinauskas must apologise for his intervention which has helped lead to this fiasco.

“Writer’s Week has been cancelled and the whole of the Adelaide Festival Board has now resigned, this is a complete mess that could have been avoided had there not been undue political influence exerted on the board.

“This is a devastating outcome for the authors and audiences who love Writer’s Week. As we face major challenges in the world it is important that we have spaces like Writer’s Week where people can come together to discuss ideas and disagree in a civil manner.

“Premier Peter Malinauskas’ political meddling has destroyed Writer’s Week and now risks derailing the whole of the Adelaide Festival. It is up to the Premier to fix this mess before the Adelaide Festival collapses and South Australia loses thousands of jobs and tens of millions of dollars in economic activity.

“As Louise Adler has warned, Writer’s Week is the canary in the coalmine. It’s now up to all of us to fight for artistic freedom and resist the censorship of our artistic institutions.”

Robbery & Serious Crime Squad detectives charge group accused of a spate of armed robberies

Robbery and Serious Crime Squad detectives have charged three men allegedly behind a spate of armed robberies across Newcastle and Sydney last week.

The armed hold ups occurred in Waratah, Seven Hills, Pyrmont and Kingswood between Monday 5 January and Thursday 8 January 2026.
About 8am on Monday 5 January 2026, officers attached to Newcastle City Police District were called to a licenced premises on Station Street, Waratah, following reports of a robbery. Police were told two men allegedly armed with a handgun, entered the hotel, and demanded cash from an employee before leaving on foot.
About 1pm on Wednesday 7 January 2026, officers attached to Blacktown Police Area Command were called to a pawn shop on Artillery Crescent, Seven Hills, following reports of a robbery. Police were told a man allegedly armed with a handgun, entered the store and demanded cash and jewellery. The employee refused and the man left empty handed.
About 2am on Thursday 8 January 2026, officers attached to Sydney City Police Area Command were called to a convenience store on Murray Street, Pyrmont, following reports of a robbery. Police were told two men allegedly armed with a handgun, entered the store, and demanded cash before fleeing with a safe.
About 4.45pm on Thursday 8 January 2026, officers attached to Nepean Police Area Command were called to a convenience store at Kingswood Train Station following reports of a robbery. Police were told a man armed allegedly armed with a handgun, entered the story and demanded cash. The employee refused and the man left empty handed.

Local police commenced inquiries into each matter before it was established the same handgun and dark coloured Holden sedan were used in each robbery before the matter was referred to State Crime Command’s Robbery and Serious Crime Squad who established Strike Force Dudley to investigate.

Following extensive inquiries, about 2pm on Sunday 11 January 2026, strike force detectives arrested a 36-year-old man at a hotel on Main Street, Blacktown, who was taken to Blacktown Police Station.

A short time later, strike force detectives – with assistance of the Public Order and Riot Squad – executed a search warrant at a home in Wilberforce.

During the search, detectives allegedly located a dark coloured Holden sedan, phones and items allegedly used in the robbery.

The 36-year-old man was charged with robbery while armed with dangerous weapon, and two counts of in company rob while armed with dangerous weapon, relating to the incidents at Waratah, Seven Hills, and Pyrmont.

He was refused bail to appear at Blacktown Local Court on Monday 12 January 2026, where he was further refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court on Friday 6 March 2026.

Following extensive inquiries, about 4.10pm on Monday 12 January 2026, strike force detectives arrested a 27-year-old man on Castlereagh Road, North Penrith.

He was taken to Penrith Police Station and charged with conceal serious indictable offence and possess prohibited drug, relating to the incidents at Waratah and Pyrmont.

About 8.20pm the same day, strike force detectives – with assistance of the Public Order and Riot Squad – conducted a search warrant at a home on Joseph Street, Kingswood.

During that search, detectives allegedly seized clothing, CCTV and jewellery items.

A 35-year-old man was arrested at the scene and taken to Penrith Police Station.

He was charged with assault with intent rob while armed with dangerous weapon and fail to comply digital evidence access order direction, relating to the Kingswood incident.

Both men were refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court yesterday (Tuesday 13 January 2026).

Anyone with information that may assist investigations into organised criminal activity is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is managed on a confidential basis. The public is reminded not to report information via NSW Police social media pages.

Greens call on SA Premier to fix festival mess

acting leader of the Australian Greens and Arts spokesperson, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young:

“Premier Peter Malinauskas has created an enormous mess by putting political pressure on the Adelaide Festival Board. Now he needs to take responsibility and clean it up to save our festival and our state’s reputation.

“Adelaide’s arts and festival brand is in tatters. With half the board, including the Chair, resigning it’s not just Adelaide Writers Week that’s at risk, but the entire Adelaide Festival.

“The Adelaide Festival is now on the brink of collapse and the Government needs to act urgently.

“Premier Peter Malinauskas must change course to stem the collapse of this beloved arts institution, and that must start with reinstating author Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah.

“Whether it is direct or indirect, there is no doubt political pressure has plunged the broader Adelaide Festival into crisis. And we need leadership now to save it.

“This will cost our state thousands of jobs, millions of dollars and unimaginable reputational damage.

“Without proper leadership from the SA Government, South Australia’s brand as the arts and festival state is at risk.

“What would Don Dunstan say? What would he say, to see South Australia’s arts community and reputation torn down by such political cowardice and shortsightedness?”

Greens Senator for South Australia, Barbara Pocock:

“The collective public outrage and boycotting of the festival over the cancellation of Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah speaks volumes. This decision risks our reputation as a place of art, courage and challenge.

“This appalling decision by the Adelaide Festival Board, backed by the Premier, must be reversed. The Premier has questions to answer. What role did he play in undermining the independence of this significant event?”

New Year, Same Reason to Extend the ACT’s Waste-to-Energy Ban

Following ongoing heatwaves and ongoing high fire risks, the ACT Greens are pushing for the ACT Government to renew their now lapsed policy to ban waste-to energy incinerators.

ACT Greens Deputy Leader Jo Clay says that there is no social license for waste-to-energy incinerator projects in the region.

“Right now we are seeing the real impact of climate disasters: destruction, disconnection and lives lost. We cannot afford for governments to stall on climate action – and that includes a long-lasting ban on waste-to-energy,” Ms Clay said.

“Following the NSW Government’s proposal for a waste-to-energy incinerator in Tarago, people in Canberra, and the Queanbeyan and Goulburn regions have contacted the Greens concerned about the impact it will have on our region.

“Waste-to-energy produces harmful byproducts and pollutants like heavy metals, toxic air pollutants, bottom ash, furans and dioxins. It poses many risks for people, nature, our waterways, agriculture and our climate.

“Burning waste for energy creates greenhouse gas emissions and is not a sustainable or efficient source of energy.

“The ACT’s Waste-to-energy Policy 2020-25 prohibits thermal waste-to-energy including incineration, gasification and pyrolysis. It’s time for Labor to put the conversation to rest and extend the ban indefinitely.

“Canberrans have a right to a healthy environment. They have a right to know the ACT Government will continue to prohibit harmful and polluting waste-to-energy incinerator projects.

“Considering the ACT is powered by 100% renewable electricity and is phasing out fossil fuel gas, there is no reason for the Government to delay renewing the ban.”

Ms Clay also urges the ACT Government to immediately progress establishing a circular economy in Canberra to manage waste without harming people and planet.

“Waste-to-energy disincentivises our moves towards a circular economy. It can also promote more waste generation than ever before.

“In the ACT, we have a resource recovery target of 90%. But our actual resource recovery has dropped to only 65%. We need the government to do more – to put policies in place that reduce waste production and create a lifecycle solution for waste we generate.

“We need local recycling facilities that can process household waste so there’s no need to burn it – like soft plastics.

“Instead, the ACT Labor Government sits back and waits for a federal scheme to manage soft plastics, even though it’s taken decades to progress.

“Governments at all levels must work with industry to design out waste and stop the problem at its source.

“If we don’t move towards a circular economy, we will see more waste in landfill and more harmful solutions for waste management like waste-to-energy projects.”

Chair of Toxics Free Australia, Jane Bremmer:

“The ACT has been a leader and a beacon of light in safeguarding a sustainable zero waste policy for a true Circular Economy in Australia.

“Burning our waste makes no sense when it is the most expensive and polluting way to make energy or manage what should be the smallest fraction of our waste stream – residual waste.

“Waste incineration threatens the urgent, global transition to clean renewable energy, emitting more carbon pollution than coal and gas per unit of energy, supports and vindicates the existing policy position of the ACT Government and the ACT Greens’ leadership.

“Advanced Waste Sorting Technologies coupled with non- combustion residual waste technologies can deliver the sustainable, climate friendly, cheaper and more secure, waste management framework that Australia needs and with 200 times more jobs.

“While the waste incineration industry currently has no social license to operate in Australia and with the EU turning away from this technology, the ACT should continue to uphold its ban for the protection of future generations.”

New Annual searches for fresh homegrown programming following record 2025 festival

Local artists are being offered the chance to shine at New Annual in 2026 as City of Newcastle’s flagship arts festival continues to elevate Newcastle’s profile as a thriving creative city.

Applications are now open for the ‘Made New’ program, which provides up to $40,000 in funding for Newcastle-based or affiliated artists to present during the New Annual festival, which will be held from 25 September to 4 October 2026.

Tom Avgenicos playing during New Annual 2025Tom Avgenicos playing during New Annual 2025Last year’s New Annual was the largest in the event’s history featuring a total of 87 shows which attracted approximately 50,000 attendees, almost double the amount from 2024, with an economic impact of almost $3.5 million.

Festival Director Tory Loudon said City of Newcastle-commissioned surveys revealed 96% of respondents would be likely to attend New Annual again.

“Last year’s New Annual demonstrated the strength of Newcastle’s creative community and the city’s growing confidence as a cultural destination,” Ms Loudon said.

“More than 70% of the program featured local artists in 2025 and the ‘Made New’ program will ensure we continue to celebrate the exceptional creative talent within our region through new works.

“We had amazing success last year introducing new venues into the program. From the transformation of Newcastle Museum into a theatre space, to the overwhelming response to performances at Newcastle Ocean Baths and University House.

“This year we’re looking for original works that tell a story about Newcastle in a unique way or use a Newcastle space in a new way. We love out of the box ideas and there’s a maximum of $40,000 available per project.”

Councillor Jenny Barrie, Chair of City of Newcastle’s Community and Culture Strategic Advisory Committee said New Annual is a festival for the entire community. 

“The feedback we received showed that New Annual made Novocastrians feel connected to their city, while the productions truly reflected local stories and gave audiences a sense of pride,” Cr Barrie said.

“New Annual is evolving into an iconic festival that is truly Novocastrian, providing local audiences with free and low cost opportunities to engage with a range of arts while attracting cultural tourism to the city.

“The festival showcases what can be achieved when collaboration and ambition align, celebrating creativity that is shaped by place and powered by people.”

The 2025 festival saw Newcastle’s coastline and civic spaces reimagined as vibrant stages for art, performance and community connection, featuring diverse events, activities and performances.

Alongside performances at Newcastle Ocean Baths, other highlights included giant shipping containers that transformed Camp Shortland into a public art trail, the multi-sensory DARKFIELD in Wheeler Place, a whimsical six-hole mini putt-putt course at The Station, the First Night Art Party on Laman Street and a singing workshop with men’s choir sensations Spooky Men’s Chorale.

Locals working across interdisciplinary art forms, visual arts, dance, theatre, music, and multimedia have until 12 February 2026 to submit an expression of interest for New Annual 2026.

Successful applicants will be included in the New Annual festival program, ensuring City of Newcastle will provide support with marketing, publicity and production.

To keep up to date with the latest festival news or find out more about the “Made New” process, visit www.newannual.com

To view a copy of the New Annual 2025 post festival report, click here

To see highlights of the 2025 festival, click here

Free essential skills roadshow for regional women back by popular demand

The ‘Rural Women’s Network Skills Roadshow’ around regional New South Wales is back by popular demand in 2026, with more than $52,000 in additional funding from the Minns Labor Government.

Over 300 women participated in 30 free sold-out workshops in 2025, aimed at empowering regional and rural women with essential skills in first aid, and mental health crisis support through fee-free training with St John Ambulance.

Women attending training ranged from young mums seeking first aid skills, to women working in the community where mental health crisis support skills were often needed.

There are 16 workshops planned for the first half of 2026 in eight new locations including:

  • Glen Innes – 6-7 February
  • Narrabri – 20-21 February
  • Gilgandra – 6-7 March
  • Scone – 20-21 March
  • Dareton – 1-2 May
  • Griffith – 15-16 May
  • Young – 5-6 June
  • Bourke – 19-20 June

The workshops are accessible and include skills to respond effectively in emergency situations, recognise mental health issues, recognise situations where people may be in imminent crisis, provide appropriate interventions and learn where to direct people for further support.

A full day workshop will be offered for both First Aid and Mental Health in each location.

Workshop participants will receive a nationally recognised, accredited certification once they have completed their training.

Recent St John Ambulance statistics highlight the need to increase first aid and mental health knowledge:

  • In New South Wales, 33 per cent of adults have never trained in first aid (the highest proportion of any state/territory in Australia) and only 37 per cent have done training in the last three years.
  • Women are less likely to be confident providing first aid (44 per cent of women are confident) compared to men (57 per cent of men are confident).
  • 87 per cent of Australians would be more willing to provide help to a person with a mental health issue if they were taught how.

Registrations will open today, 9am (AEDT) for Glen Innes, Narrabri, Gilgandra and Scone. To find out more and register go to: nsw.gov.au/rwn-roadshow. Registrations will open in April for the other four locations.

Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said:

“The NSW Government is empowering regional and rural women to access this life-saving training to bridge an important gap, particularly for women who would have otherwise missed out due to cost or travel.

“The expansion of this program to more regions is one of the ways the Minns Labor Government is building a better New South Wales for regional women. We’re not only giving women essential skills but building resilience in regional communities.

“We’re pleased to be once again partnering with St John Ambulance to deliver this exciting program in the regions.

“The 2025 workshops were all sold out so I encourage women to sign up quickly to make the most of this opportunity to learn new skills and equip yourself with essential first aid knowledge.”

St John Ambulance CEO, Dominic Teakle, said:

“The overwhelming response to last year’s Rural Women’s Network Skills Roadshow demonstrates just how vital this program is for our regional and rural communities. By expanding to eight new towns across NSW, we’re ensuring more women have access to critical First Aid and Mental Health training that could save lives.

“This investment reflects our commitment to supporting regional and rural women with practical skills that strengthen both individuals and their communities.

“These workshops build confidence and capability while creating resilience in our regions—more education means more control and more resilience for women and their families.”

Millions in unclaimed cash ready to be claimed by NSW families

As the new year begins almost $300 million is sitting in the state’s unclaimed money pool – and the Minns Labor Government wants to see it returned to its rightful owners.

Unclaimed money is money that you are legally entitled to, but where a business hasn’t been able to find you.

Money typically becomes unclaimed when people forget to update their name or contact details with businesses, have lost paperwork, or when estates are unaware of funds belonging to deceased relatives.

The unclaimed money register, managed by Revenue NSW, includes funds from overpayments, uncashed cheques, dividends, refunds, and other amounts owed to individuals.

Sydney’s city and Eastern Suburbs have the highest amount of unclaimed money, with more than $91 million waiting to be claimed. The next largest is Western Sydney with $76 million. Outside of Sydney, the highest is Central Coast and the Hunter, with $22 million.

In total, more than 800,000 items of unclaimed money – ranging from a few dollars to millions of dollars – is sitting with Revenue NSW and registered to a NSW address.

Revenue NSW holds an additional $394 million in money for people registered at addresses outside NSW.

To find out if you have any unclaimed money, you can search the Revenue NSW website at www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/unclaimed-money. If you have any money owing, you fill in a form and provide your ID and your connection to the money. Claims are typically verified and processed by Revenue NSW within a month.

Last year, the Minns Labor Government upgraded systems to simplify and speed up the unclaimed money process. This includes additional integration with Service NSW to help identify you during the claims process. The Government also reduced the timeframe for businesses who are holding money from six years to two, ensuring that money is reported to Revenue NSW, and returned to its owners sooner.

These reforms help put more money back into the hands of NSW families.  

Minister for Domestic Manufacturing and Government Procurement, Courtney Houssos, said:

“Almost $300 million is sitting unclaimed, and we want to make sure as much of that as possible finds its way back to families.

“Last financial year, Revenue NSW returned more than $21 million to its rightful owners. With these new reforms, we’re making it faster and easier for people to get what they’re owed.

“While Revenue NSW regularly contacts potential owners, incomplete data means people are sometimes missed. That’s why we’re encouraging everyone to take a few minutes to check online – you might be surprised with what you find.”

Regional breakdown of unclaimed money, as at 14 December 2025:

Region (NSW/Sydney)Items in registerValue available to claim
Capital Region (Queanbeyan & surrounds)15,561$5,734,031
Central Coast, Hunter & Lake Macquarie71,083$22,168,562
Central West14,985$5,686,191
Coffs Harbour & Mid North Coast24,751$7,140,930
Far West and Orana9,659$2,897,722
Illawarra & Southern Highlands36,266$10,498,415
Murray & Riverina19,346$5,892,219
New England and North West14,411$5,047,864
Richmond – Tweed15,423$4,911,003
Sydney – City and East196,788$91,967,567
Sydney – North141,890$52,893,362
Sydney – Shire23,458$6,642,507
Sydney – Western Sydney221,316$76,956,207
Grand Total804,937$298,436,580

Plans released for Stage 1 of East Lismore’s 400-home future community

The NSW Government has released plans for the first stage of a major housing development in East Lismore that will deliver at least 400 new homes and is inviting the community to have a say.

Stage 1 will be delivered under a partnership between Landcom and the NSW Reconstruction Authority and will deliver around 100 smaller and more affordable housing options, including terraces and low-rise apartments.

Early master planning is underway for the full 72ha site, with the goal of creating a sustainable, resilient community of at least 400 dwellings that meets post-2022 flood housing needs.

Landcom will invest at least $75 million to develop the site, with the NSW Reconstruction Authority contributing $15 million for the land and enabling infrastructure including new roads, power, water and sewerage connections.

At least 20 per cent of homes will be set aside as affordable housing for very low to moderate-income households. Resilient Homes Program participants who have accepted a buyback offer will have at least 30 business days to purchase new land and homes before the open market is given access.

After the 2022 floods, the Australian and NSW Governments invested $880 million in the Resilient Homes Program, and the NSW Government committed a further $100 million to the Resilient Lands Program to support long-term community recovery. Together, these programs aim to reduce exposure to future flood risk by offering safer housing options and guiding development to more suitable land. Both programs are delivered by the NSW Reconstruction Authority.

The East Lismore site is one of three priority locations under the Resilient Lands Program that will help accelerate land and housing supply for flood impacted residents.

In November 2025, Landcom commenced construction of 50 build-to-rent apartments on the corner of Crawford Road and Military Road, west of the Stage 1 development.

Landcom is inviting feedback until 9am, Monday 16 February 2026, to help finalise the plans for Stage 1 and inform site masterplanning. The development application for the Stage 1 is expected to be lodged by mid-2026 with Lismore City Council.

Subject to approvals, sales are expected to begin in mid-2026, with major works starting later that year.

To learn more about the project and share feedback, visit: www.joinin.landcom.nsw.gov.au/eastlismore

Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said:

“I am really excited to see these plans and that the process has begun and know that we begin the New Year with confidence. It is a real boost to see what these lovely homes are going to look like.

“Lismore has been through a lot, and today’s announcement is another step in providing our community with safe, long-term housing options.

“This project reduces future risk while keeping families connected to their community.

“Stage 1 is open to flood impacted residents and families to have first option, as agreed to from day one.

“This partnership between Landcom and the NSW Reconstruction Authority shows our commitment to practical ways to recover. It is about making sure our community can rebuild with confidence.”

NSW Reconstruction Authority Executive Director Reconstruction Graham Kennett said:

“This development is a cornerstone of the Resilient Lands Program and demonstrates how we are working to move people out of harm’s way while keeping them within their community. By planning for more than 400 resilient homes, we are creating a neighbourhood designed for long-term safety, liveability and affordability.

“We know that recovery is not just about replacing what was lost. It’s about ensuring communities have safer options for the future. The work underway at East Lismore is a clear example of how the NSW Reconstruction Authority is delivering that for flood-impacted residents.”

Executive General Manager, Built Form, Andrew Cooper said:

“Landcom is making homes happen for the people of Lismore.

“We’re transforming vacant land into new opportunities. Stage 1 of the project will unlock around 100 homes – including terraces, to provide more diverse and affordable options.

“Our partnership with the Reconstruction Authority will create a new, sustainable neighbourhood with greater housing diversity, resilience and security to help Lismore prepare for the future.”