As most of the houses in North Lismore have been relocated or demolished, a new opportunity arises to learn from Widjabul Wia-bal custodianship and focus on bush regeneration and other larger scale nature-based land uses on the fringe of the CBD.

Embracing change

While residents may continue living above a small number of commercial premises, North Lismore as we know it today will no longer be a residential area. There’s a great opportunity to support traditional owners in implementing a country-centred approach to managing the land. With Bridge and Terania Street as the main road route to future housing in the North Lismore plateau area, and to Nimbin, Dunoon and other villages, the area will remain active. The development of part of the rail trail will also bring tourists and residents through the transformed landscape.

Future uses

In addition to supporting cultural land management strategies, there are more opportunities to explore floodplain appropriate uses in North Lismore. Commercially viable urban agriculture, ‘re-wilding’ river zones, active recreation and sporting fields, small scale ecotourism initiatives and more. North Lismore’s future as a culturally, economically and environmentally thriving floodplain is an amazing opportunity to demonstrate real leadership in climate-based adaptation internationally.