The Nationals in Government have secured nine temporary accommodation across the Northern Rivers region to house flood-affected residents, including two in Evans Head and one in Woodburn, with more to come, Clarence Nationals MP Chris Gulaptis has announced.

“Temporary housing estates will soon be welcoming families at locations in the lower Richmond Valley, in the Lismore region and in Pottsville on the Tweed Coast,” Mr Gulaptis said.

The nine sites, which will be added to over the coming weeks, will have capacity for around 800 temporary modular homes known as ‘pods’ and will be located at:

1. Wollongbar Sports Fields, Wollongbar;
2. Adjacent to Tweed Holiday Parks, Pottsville North;
3. Bath Street, Wardell;
4. Park Street, Evans Head;
5. Booyong Street, Evans Head;
6. Alphadale Street, Lindendale;
7. Southern Cross University, Lismore
8. The corner of Wagner and Uralba Streets, Woodburn; and
9. Lismore Golf Course, East Lismore.

In addition to the first temporary housing site at Wollongbar Sports Fields, work has now commenced on a Crown Land site adjacent to the Tweed Holiday Parks at Pottsvile North. This location will accommodate up to 55 caravans.

Mr Gulaptis said once site establishment work and the connection of utilities is complete, each site will be handed over to a community housing provider, who will allocate and manage the ‘pods, which might remain in place for up to two years, depending on community need.

“The Government sees this as a much fairer solution for local families who lost their homes than forcing them further away or even interstate,” Mr Gulaptis said.

“We are being mindful of the temporary impact on the local community and have taken steps to mitigate this.

“The projects factor in the need for extra parking and increased capacity for water, sewerage, power and garbage collection”.

Further temporary accommodation sites are expected to be rolled out in the coming weeks and months. The NSW Government is also working on longer-term housing solutions for flood-affected communities.

The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation has been created and tasked with coordinating planning, rebuilding and construction work of essential services, infrastructure and housing beyond the immediate response and recovery phase.

To register for a temporary modular home located in a site across the Northern Rivers call Service NSW on 13 77 88 and a customer representative will help you apply or visit your nearest Flood Recovery Centre.