Illegal squatters were served notices to vacate NSWRA (Reconstruction Authority) owned buyback houses within 7 days on Tuesday morning.

A member of the Richmond Police District accompanied staff from the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) to visit eight buyback properties in North Lismore.

Notices to vacate were issued to approximately 40 individuals so the houses could be accessed and assessed for relocation in the near future.

Squatters have enjoyed over 18 months of free accommodation and water. This is the second time since June 2024 that such notices have been served.

From when the notice was provided, squatters have 7 days to vacate the premises before water services are permanently disconnected.

Contrary to some media and social media stories, for several months, NSW Police, RA, Homes NSW and Social Futures have made extensive efforts to engage with squatters, offering alternative accommodation and access to support services. These approaches have been rejected.

The Lismore App understands that while some individuals have left voluntarily, numerous properties remain occupied.

After exhausting all available options, if the properties are not vacated by midday on Tuesday, 28 January, RA will initiate legal action.

As previously reported, the cost of taking legal action will be approximately $40,000 per property. With eight properties served on Tuesday, the total cost could be $320,000. There is no guarantee that those involved will not move to another fenced buyback property, further hindering buyback assessments as the year continues.

The NSW RA has said this decision has not been made lightly. The Resilient Homes Program was designed to support those genuinely affected by flooding following the catastrophic events on February 28 2022, not to bear the cost of removing squatters from homes that are part of the buyback program.