These squatters are living in abandoned flood-prone homes | 7.30

Key Concepts

Squatting, Lismore floods (2022), flood recovery, housing crisis, government buyback scheme, eviction notices, community division, asbestos contamination, slow recovery process, desperation, right to housing.

Squatting on Pine Street

• A group of squatters has occupied seven houses on Pine Street in Lismore for the past 9 months.
• The squatters include travelers and locals, some of whom lost their jobs and homes due to the floods and housing crisis.
• Tina, one of the squatters, says the place has become a refuge, providing her with a roof over her head and a sense of safety. She was living in her car for 3 years prior. She has recently found a job.
• Shane, another squatter, was sleeping in his truck before finding the community on Pine Street.
• Emma and Locky are self-appointed spokespeople for the group, protesting the NSW government's slow action on flood recovery.

Background: Lismore Floods and Government Response

• The NSW government vowed to help Lismore recover after the devastating floods in 2022.
• The government bought up properties in the flood zone deemed unsafe, including those on Pine Street.
• The plan was to demolish, relocate, or fix up the homes, but they have remained empty, allowing squatters to move in.

Legal and Ethical Considerations

• The squatters are aware that they are occupying the properties illegally.
• Tina says she is there out of desperation and appeals for understanding, as she had nowhere else to go.
• The squatters argue that the government's slow action on flood recovery has forced them into this situation.
• The squatters fled to higher ground when cyclone Alfred swept through, but returned after it cleared off.

Community and Lifestyle

• The squatters have created a community on Pine Street, setting up a lounge with a piano and drums.
• They chip in money for communal meals and foster a sense of belonging.
• The area is known for its free-spirited culture and strong sense of community.

Government Response and Opposition

• Premier Chris Minns wants the squatters removed, stating that the houses were bought to keep communities safe.
• The government's reconstruction authority has been trying to move them on for months without success.
• The government plans to demolish the houses.
• Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg is frustrated by the squatter camp and believes the state government should have acted more swiftly.
• He acknowledges that the squatting is illegal, as they are occupying property without the owner's consent.
• He does not want to see the police move in and remove them.

Resident Perspective

• Paul Pson, a resident of Pine Street for 36 years, declined a government offer to buy back his home.
• He raised the foundations of his house, which survived the 2022 disaster.
• He is not worried about the floods and wants to stay in his home, where his wife died.

Government Action and Challenges

• Janelle Saffin, the new Minister for Recovery, says eviction notices were issued to the squatters about two months ago, and court action is underway.
• She acknowledges that the recovery process in Lismore has been too slow.
• She says the homes on Pine Street are unsafe, some containing asbestos, and require assessment and hazmatting.
• She pledges to speed up the recovery process.

Potential Consequences and Plea

• Tina says she will be devastated if the houses are demolished, as she and her son will be back on the streets.
• She pleads with the premier to come and talk to them and questions whether they deserve to be demolished for being there for each other.

Synthesis/Conclusion

The situation on Pine Street highlights the complex challenges of flood recovery in Lismore, including the housing crisis, government bureaucracy, and community division. The squatters' actions are driven by desperation and a lack of alternatives, while the government prioritizes safety and legal ownership. The slow pace of recovery and the presence of asbestos in the homes further complicate the situation, leaving the future of the squatters and the Pine Street community uncertain. The core issue is the tension between the immediate needs of displaced people and the long-term goals of government-led reconstruction.