In March 2022, the Government Architect NSW was invited to contribute to the Housing Recovery Task Force to support the provision of up to 2,500 temporary homes for people affected by the Northern Rivers flood events of February and March 2022. The task force chair requested that the Government Architect develop feasibilities studies for 17 priority sites in 5 local government areas: Ballina, Lismore, Richmond Valley, Byron and Tweed Heads.
The Government Architect worked in close collaboration with Resilience NSW, the Public Works Advisory and other task force collaborators to finalise the feasibility studies for sites to inform the contractors. With the transition to the Northern Rivers Recovery Corporation from 1 July 2022, the department is handing over the running of the task force to the corporation.
Designing better temporary accommodation
In discussion with the task force, Government Architect developed strategies to improve the interior layouts and solar access of modular dwellings, balance pedestrian and vehicle accessibility and establish designs for lighting, landscaping and common areas to improve amenity in the temporary villages.