Lismore City Council is holding two public Q&A forums where the community can learn more about the discussion paper called the Land Use Management Strategy.
The community has been invited to have its say on ideas raised in the discussion paper, and the forums will provide the opportunity for people to ask questions to allow a more informed submission.
The council said: "The floods of February and March necessitate a complete rethink about how we plan to rebuild a regional city located at the convergence of two rivers".
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In response, the council has released a discussion paper that presents some broad brushstrokes for how Lismore could build back better. Some of the strategic objectives identified for consideration include:
- A 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.
- Investigations into expanding the industrial precinct at Goonellabah.
- Preliminary design and feasibility work to establish whether a new commercial or mixed-use precinct could be located on the golf course land at East Lismore.
- 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 how we can fast-track infrastructure to new land releases outside of flood affected areas.
The public Q&A forums will be held on:
- Monday, May 23 at Lismore Height Sports Club starting at 5.30pm to 7pm
- Wednesday, May 25 at Lismore Heights Sports Club starting at 11.30am to 1pm.
Spaces are limited.
For community members who cannot attend, the council will be live streaming the Monday, May 23 forum on Facebook.
Submissions for the Land Use Management Strategy can only be submitted via the council's Yoursay portal, or by a written submission by emailing council@lismore.nsw.gov.au or writing to PO Box 23A, Lismore NSW 2480.
To make a booking for the Q&A forums, or to learn more about the review and how to make a submission, visit the council's website.
Following feedback from the community, a report with final recommendations will be considered by the council and put out for further comment. Once adopted by the council, maps identifying future growth areas and any related recommendations will be added as an addendum to the Imagine Lismore 2040 Local Strategic Planning Statement.
Submissions are open until Friday, June 10, 2022.
