Prince Charles has taken an active interest in the re-construction of flood ravaged parts of the Northern Rivers.
It was revealed at public meeting on Monday night that the architecture-loving royal is interested in helping Lismore rebuild after the devastating impacts of twin major floods.
Lismore City Council General Manager John Walker revealed the link between the city and the prince at meeting to review Lismore's Land Use Management Strategy in the wake of the floods.
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Mr Walker said that the prince had taken a keen interest in plans to re-build Australia's most flood-prone city and that one of his principal architect's hails from Lismore.
"They approached us because they were interested," Mr Walker said.
"We know that Prince William had made some inquiries and Prince Charles was interested. They like Australia.
"We got an approach to meet with them and just had no knowledge as to why. We thought it would be just to say 'good luck'.
"But then when you delve into what they do, they actually do recreate villages and towns. Their current ones house I think 4000 people.
"So discussions about how do you do it, how to you hold the heritage in with the design, how do you make sure it protects koalas and wildlife."
Mr Walker said they had identified some land at Lismore's golf course that might be suitable for such an innovative project.
"They expressed some interest, we expressed some interest in what they are doing," he said.
"Perhaps something might come of it.
"The story that the architect for Prince Charles is in fact a Lismore boy really hit home because he wanted to do something.
"He came back here to look at the family business and the effect of the floods on it. But he has been in England all his adult life."
Mr Walker said it was an example of the "fantastic" ways to re-build Lismore if "we only open up our minds".
Prince Charles' love of architecture is well known. He helped build Poundbury, an urban extension to the Dorset county town of Dorchester.
It is built on the principles of architecture and urban planning and is located on the Prince's land in the Duchy of Cornwall.
I'm a media professional with over 34 years of experience in public relations and journalism, including a decade setting Lismore's news agenda as the editor of The Northern Star. I have proven track record in growing audiences and improving engagement by delivering quality local stories for and about the Lismore community.
I'm a media professional with over 34 years of experience in public relations and journalism, including a decade setting Lismore's news agenda as the editor of The Northern Star. I have proven track record in growing audiences and improving engagement by delivering quality local stories for and about the Lismore community.
