Future housing
Council is continuing to actively support the provision of new housing across the Lismore LGA.
This includes rezoning land for housing development, implementing the Housing Strategy Action Plan, facilitating strong partnerships with developers and housing providers, and providing advice to encourage the development of a range of housing types close to community services and facilities.
Lismore Housing Grant program
Council resolved in June 2023 to offer grants of $15,000 to eligible landowners to stimulate construction of new affordable housing opportunities.
A total of 80 grants will be offered on a ‘first-come-first-serve’ basis until such time as the available funds are fully committed.
View our fact sheet that outlines the housing grant categories and eligibility criteria and the process for how to apply.
An application form must be completed and returned to Council once an application for the housing has been lodged via the NSW Planning Portal.
In March 2023, Lismore replaced its 2012 Housing Strategy with the Affordable and Diverse Housing Strategy.
The main aim of this strategy is to provide a roadmap for the Council to encourage more affordable and medium-density housing in the urban areas of Lismore. The strategy emphasises the need to align the location of new housing with jobs, infrastructure, and services. To achieve this, the strategy outlines three strategic principles and several specific actions that the Council will undertake over the next decade.
The LEP 2012 gives individuals in urban and village areas the opportunity to develop secondary dwellings, e.g. small self-contained dwellings.
For general information and FAQS on secondary dwellings, refer to the Secondary Dwellings brochure.
Please also find a Statement of Environmental Effects for Secondary Dwellings that can be completed and returned to Council.
The LEP 2012 permits the construction of a detached dual occupancy on rural land to provide housing options for older and younger people and as farm worker accommodation or income source for farmers.
For more information, consult our fact sheet.
Council is promoting shop top housing in the Lismore CBD to revitalize the area and improve safety.
Obstacles for owners have been addressed by waiving car parking requirements, offering discounts on infrastructure contributions, and assisting with fire safety regulations. For more information, refer to our Shop Top Housing Brochure.
Council is actively trying to promote and facilitate the relocation of dwellings that have been purchased by the NSW Reconstruction Authority in high flood risk areas.
The Guide for Resited Dwellings provides a step-by-step guide, Frequently Asked Questions and a range of resources to assist in the process.
Lismore Council has also been granted a exemption from the Department of Planning that allows us to consider development applications to re-locate a dwelling on to existing rural lots that do not have a dwelling entitlement. A fact sheet explaining the terms of this exemption is also available.