After three big years in the heart of Lismore’s CBD, Resilient Lismore is preparing for a new chapter and will be relocating to a new home in South Lismore over the coming weeks. They will close over the Christmas period and will reopen in early 2026, continuing to deliver essential disaster resilience and recovery programs.
“As we prepare for this move, we’re also pleased to release our 2025 Annual Report, which is now available on our website, reflecting on what we’ve accomplished together in the last year and where we’re headed next.” said Resilient Lismore Executive Director, Elly Bird.
“We’ve achieved so much together. Our Hub has been a place of support, connection, and hope during some of the toughest years our community has ever faced. As we move into this next chapter, we’re looking forward to relocating to South Lismore — and becoming Southies.
“Our Keen Street Hub has been a cornerstone of our recovery since opening in 2023. It has provided a central, welcoming space for the coordination of our Two Rooms and Repair to Return program, which has delivered more than 750 repair jobs to support flood-damaged homes across the Northern Rivers. Over this period, we have had people drop in more than 40,000 times, facilitated 3,000 tool loans through our free Tool Library, connected over 2,000 people to vital services, coordinated 577 volunteers who have given 25,256 volunteer hours valued at $4.8million, and brokered $900,000 in support for those in need.”
“We are so grateful to everyone who has visited, volunteered, partnered, or shared a cuppa with us at Keen Street,” Elly Bird adds. “You’ve helped make it such a special home.”
“Our new location will help us continue to support disaster recovery and preparedness programs, keeping our community at the heart of everything we do, and we have a lot of work planned through to 2027.” She said.
“Repair to Return will continue next year, providing at least 80 additional essential home repairs across the Northern Rivers thanks to support from GIVIT and the NSW Reconstruction Authority. It’s important for people to register for repair work as soon as possible because at this stage the program will be winding up by June. You can register online, and we will be in touch to organise a visit in the new year to see what we can do to help.”
“We will also keep delivering our core services — Volunteer Coordination, the Tool Library, and Community Events & Workshops — while rolling out new initiatives to strengthen community recovery.” Said Elly.
One of these is the Building Advisory Support Service, a free, one-on-one support program for homeowners referred to us through the NSW Reconstruction Authority’s Resilient Homes Program. Our team helps people make sense of their repair and rebuild options, understand requirements, and move forward with confidence as they navigate the next steps in the RHP.
We’re also launching the second phase of Disaster Ready Together; a project focused on strengthening the capability and preparedness of community sector and non-government organisations so they can respond more effectively in future disasters.
For updates during the move, to read our 2025 Annual Report, and to stay up to date as we move forward with our work visit www.resilientlismore.org.au or follow us on social media.
Key details of the move:
Last day at 215 Keen Street: Thursday, 27 November (10am–2pm)
Reopening in South Lismore: January 2026 (exact date and address to be shared soon)
Continuity of programs and services: stay up to date about how to access services, contact our team, and stay connected during this transition through our website, social media, and email newsletters. Sign up to the mailing list at www.resilientlismore.org.au
“If you’re planning any yard work, small renovations, or DIY projects over the holidays, you can borrow from our tool library up until 2pm on Thursday, 27 November, and use them right through until we re-open in January 2026.” Said Elly.
