ABOVE: Council staff take a look at the pod village at Coraki. Photos: Contributed
The first 40 flood displaced residents to move into temporary housing at the Coraki pod village were officially handed the keys by the Minister for Flood Recovery Steph Cooke today, Friday, October 21.
There are 56 units at the Spring St site with the capacity to house up to 240 people.
“These keys unlock more than a physical structure. They are a safe and self-sufficient space for residents to live while they undertake the personal journey of rebuilding and deciding what’s best for their future,” Ms Cooke said.
Richmond Valley mayor Robert Mustow said it was a great day for Coraki residents.
“One man said, ‘I feel like I’m back home’,” Mr Mustow said.
The man had been living at Glen Innes and other places since the floods.
Mr Mustow was impressed with the pods.
“There’s a fridge, the beds are made, there’s a mop, cups, glasses, clothes dryer, a veranda – it’s like a caravan park,” he said.
Baptist Care is the community housing provider for the Spring St site and will provide all the necessary services residents need.
Other temporary housing sites in the Northern Rivers region include Wollongbar, which can accommodate more than 400 people, SCU Lismore campus, for up to 220 people and Pottsville, where 70 people will be housed.
Construction on other sites is ongoing at Evans Head (caravans only), Wardell, Ballina, Brunswick Heads, Kingscliff and Mullumbimby.
Residents begin to move into Coraki pods, Evans Head next month
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