Flood-resilient rebuild restores Lismore student housing after 2022 disaster

A flood-damaged student accommodation complex in Lismore is being rebuilt with materials designed to better withstand future flood events, as Southern Cross University restores lost housing and helps ease pressure on the city's rental market.

The 27-unit Sirius Student Accommodation complex at 147 Military Road, Lismore, is in the final stages of refurbishment following extensive damage during the 2022 floods, which inundated ground-floor apartments with around half a metre of water. The upgraded apartments are on track for completion later next month.

The redevelopment replaces flood-vulnerable finishes with epoxy flooring, rendered brickwork, wash-and-wear paint, and aluminium windows and doors, improving durability, ease of cleaning, and long-term resilience, while also lifting energy efficiency and overall building performance.

Southern Cross University Vice-Chancellor Professor Tyrone Carlin said the project was also about backing the local economy while helping Lismore grow.

"This refurbishment is about increasing student amenity and capacity, but also about our local economy and local community," Professor Carlin said.

"It's being delivered by a local contractor, using local tradies and suppliers.

"This is a boost for Lismore's economy right now, and it will continue to benefit the city as students move into these apartments in the coming weeks and become part of the local community in the years ahead."

Member for Lismore, the Hon. Janelle Saffin MP, toured the facility to view the flood-resilient upgrades and the role of local investment in supporting regional recovery and housing supply.

"Having the student accommodation there is a great experience for students, to live on campus, and it takes pressure off the Lismore rental market," she said.

"The great bonus is that this has added to our local economy, with the university hiring local Joel Jensen who uses local contractors and local people. So it's one of those projects I can't help but love."

Joel Jensen, Director of Joel Jensen Constructions (JJC), said keeping work local was a deliberate choice.

"We delivered this project using 100 per cent local contractors and suppliers, so every dollar spent stayed in the Northern Rivers and supported the local economy," Mr Jensen said.

"That supports the regional economy, improves quality, and means everyone working on site is personally invested in getting it right for the community."

The Sirius redevelopment includes 21 two-bedroom and six three-bedroom apartments. The refurbished accommodation is due for completion in February 2026, bringing new students back into Lismore's housing, retail, and hospitality sectors.

Southern Cross University is one of the city's largest economic anchors, supporting hundreds of local jobs and injecting millions of dollars into the regional economy through construction, education, research, and student spending.

Quality student accommodation is a critical part of the Southern Cross University experience, helping students to feel supported, connected, and build lasting ties to the Northern Rivers.

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