Flood-affected homeowners in the Northern Rivers will be the first to access new housing opportunities at Goonellabah’s Mount Pleasant estate, with sales opening today as part of the region’s ongoing recovery effort.
The NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) is prioritising owner-occupiers who accepted government buybacks and registered under the Resilient Lands Program, established after the 2022 floods. Many of those eligible buyers have already contributed feedback that has shaped the estate’s design and layout.
The final masterplan reflects that input, with a mix of housing options intended to meet different household needs. It includes vacant residential lots for new builds, community title units, and relocated homes from the floodplain that have been refurbished for use on higher ground.
Prices for the land have been set by an independent valuer to align with current market conditions. Those registered in the Resilient Lands Program will be given the first opportunity to purchase, followed by other buyback participants. Any remaining lots will then be released to the wider market.
The development comprises 23 housing options in total. This includes 18 individual lots ranging from 559 square metres to 1,300 square metres, six one and two bedroom community title units positioned on a single large lot, and four relocated historic weatherboard homes that have been restored by the NSW Reconstruction Authority to retain elements of Northern Rivers character while meeting current building requirements.
The Mount Pleasant site in Goonellabah has been identified as a priority location in the Northern Rivers recovery pipeline, supported through the NSW Government’s $100 million Resilient Lands Program. Existing infrastructure at the site made it a practical option for early housing delivery.
Work on the estate has been guided by consultation with buyback participants and local residents, with strong interest in both relocating existing homes and building new dwellings that better suit individual circumstances.
Eligible homeowners will receive sales information packs this week outlining how to take part in the purchasing process for Mount Pleasant.
NSW Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin said the release marks a practical step in the recovery process for affected communities.
“I am pleased to see that land is now available to purchase. It provides an opportunity for buyback participants. I know our community has been waiting for the release of this first package of new, flood-free land at Mount Pleasant,” she said.
“The opening of sales today is a tangible outcome for our region’s recovery.”
She added that prioritising buyback participants ensures those most affected by the floods are given early access to housing options in Goonellabah.
NSW Reconstruction Authority Chief Executive Officer Kate Fitzgerald said the rollout reflects a coordinated approach between housing recovery programs.
“We’re taking a more integrated approach to recovery, with a strong focus on aligning the Resilient Homes and Resilient Lands programs so they work together to support homeowners’ next steps,” she said.
She noted that delivery timelines reflect the broader scale of recovery work across the Northern Rivers and the need to keep housing supply and relocation pathways moving together.
A key focus, she said, remains ensuring land availability keeps pace with demand from buyback participants while supporting ongoing relocation and rebuilding efforts across the region.
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