New Lambton Landslip Anniversary Brings New Hope For Residents

BY LIAM COLLINS

Newcastle council are currently working with the state's reconstruction authority to support those affected by the New Lambton landslip. 

Council members and representatives from the NSW Reconstruction Authority (RA) met with affected residents yesterday, hoping to outline the recovery process and provide transparent communication between all parties.

Impacted resident Laura Jackal said the meeting provided them with some hope towards reaching a solution.

"It didn't provide us with any sort of exact direction; what they have said to us is that they're working really closely together to come up with a solution," she said. 

"What happens next is what they're deciding currently; basically how they're going to rectify the land, how they will compensate us for our land, and when and how they'll demolish the 16 homes."

Pending approval, the complexity of the funding arrangements estimate demolitions are unlikely to commence until 2027.

Tomorrow marks the one year anniversary of the landslip which affected 16 New Lambton properties and caused evacuations of more than 40 residents.

Ms Jackal praised the continued support towards the affected families, including emergency accommodation and continued insurance.

"We have been very fortunate in our case; I can't speak for every resident, but we've received the 12 months worth of accommodation support," she said.

"The compensation from insurance companies only lasts 12 months in this case, so the government and stepped in and given us a further 12 months, which is obviously a huge relief for us."

Ms Jackal added the natural disaster has had a significant impact on her and her family.

"I think the predominant feeling is just one of grief for our beautiful home," she said. 

"A year ago it was fine, we were living in it.

"I walked past it this morning and it's so overgrown and boarded up."

New Lambton home impacted by landslip. Picture: Caroline Garred

Residents To Meet With State MPs Over Landslip

 BY CHARLIE PROUDLOCK

Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison and Minister for Recovery Janelle Saffin will meet with residents affected by the New Lambton landslip next week. 

It comes after the state government's Reconstruction Authority (RA) announced will provide up to a year's rental assistance to residents displaced in the natural disaster in May last year.

Newcastle council wrote to the RA last month, insisting they responsibility for the incident which left 16 homes uninhabitable. 

Before, tensions between Council and the state were escalating, due to the RA initially relinquishing the remediation responsibilities to the City of Newcastle. 

An authoritative, peer-reviewed geotechnical report changed the department's mind, after it provided definitive evidence the incident was due to natural phenomena.

The announcement of extra rental assistance couldn't have come at a better time for affected residents, as they were only initially given until June for their support payments.

Jodie Harrison said she's happy with the latest development and is hopeful next week's meeting can alleviate any other issues currently suffered by residents.

"I'm really pleased we've been able to provide additional support for residents at a time of uncertainty for them," she said.

"What I want to make sure, as their local MP, is make sure I do everything I possibly can to reduce the uncertainty now and into the future."

Minister Harrison went further to state she's happy affected residents get to directly engage with both herself and Minister Saffin over the matter.

"Minister Saffin is very keen to listen to each of the residents who are affected," she said.

"I'll certainly be taking into account, listening to what they have to say and I'll advocate on their behalf in the future."

Taken from when the landslip was first noticed in May. Credit: NSW Police