What will happen to land made vacant from buybacks?

The NSW Reconstruction Authority said it will work with local councils to plan the future of buyback areas as parklands, community hubs, or environmental projects. 

In specific cases where flood risk is strictly managed, some sites may also be used for commercial or industrial purposes.

The fundamental requirement remains that buyback land cannot be used for houses.

More than 1000 parcels of land will be integrated into local planning, with planning underway for more than 600 properties in Lismore.

Future planning will also extend to buyback clusters in Richmond Valley, Kyogle, Byron, Ballina, and Clarence Valley.

Minister for Recovery and State MP Janelle Saffin said the Resilient Homes Program was moving into a vital new phase.

“We are creating space for new opportunities. Whether it’s parklands, community hubs, or environmental projects, the future of these sites will be shaped by the people who live there,” Ms Saffin said. 

NSW Reconstruction Authority chief executive Kate Fitzgerald said that flood buyback land can now be used for things other than housing.

“This decision shows the value of the existing planning and flood risk management frameworks in NSW, which guide what can be built in flood-prone areas,” Ms Fitzgerald said.

This information was provided by the office of Janellle Saffin MP.

This article appeared on indyNR.com on 16 May 2026.