East Lismore Build-to-Rent Reaches Construction Milestone

Short answer

Landcom's 50-apartment East Lismore build-to-rent project has reached its topping-out milestone, the NSW Government announced on 9 September 2026. Major construction is expected to finish in late 2026, with finishing work expected in early 2027, weather permitting. That is a construction timetable, not a confirmed move-in date. Source: NSW Government announcement.

For prospective renters, a useful separate task is to work out what an eventual advertised rent would mean for the household budget. The Rent-to-Income Ratio Calculator estimates the share of gross income used by rent. It does not assess access to this project.

What the update confirms

The project is at Crawford and Military Road. It includes studios and one-, two- and three-bedroom apartments. Landcom will keep ownership, and the announcement says an operator is due to be appointed by the end of 2026.

The affordable rental allocation is 20% of the homes, for residents on low-to-moderate incomes. Applied to 50 apartments, that is 10 homes. It does not mean every apartment has a discounted rent, or that a particular household meets the allocation rules. Source: NSW Government, 9 September.

Construction progress and a tenancy are different steps

The release does not set out weekly rents, an application opening date, detailed household eligibility criteria or a confirmed first tenancy date. Those details should be checked with the project or appointed operator when published.

A construction update alone is not enough information to calculate moving costs or commit to a new rental budget. A prospective renter's checklist could include:

• The advertised rent for the particular apartment and what it includes.
• The proposed lease length, start date and process for applying.
• Any separate parking, utility or service charges.
• The documents requested for an affordable rental application.
• The cost and timing of moving from the current home.

These are questions to resolve, not claims about the terms this project will offer. Follow the official Landcom East Lismore project page, which the announcement identifies for further information.

An illustrative rent-budget comparison

The following figures are invented solely to show the arithmetic. They are not East Lismore advertised rents or income limits.

Consider a household with gross income of $1,800 a week. Compare two hypothetical weekly rents while keeping income unchanged:

The calculation is weekly rent divided by gross weekly income, multiplied by 100. The $90 weekly difference becomes $4,680 over 52 weeks.

Neither ratio tells the household how much money remains after income tax, groceries, transport, debt repayments or other expenses. A lower rent can also be accompanied by different travel or utility costs. Enter consistent household figures: comparing the whole household's rent with just one person's income answers a different question.

The calculator can help compare entered amounts. It cannot decide whether a tenancy is suitable, affordable or available. Our rent and income research explainer also explains why a published rent ratio needs its population and measurement period attached.

What changes for calculators and local estimates

This announcement adds a dated construction update. It supplies no new calculator formula, tax threshold or rent schedule, so it does not justify changing calculator defaults.

The 50-apartment figure should not be converted into a forecast of local rents, vacancy rates or property values. The timing and terms of actual available homes matter to people looking for somewhere to live. For now, use current verified costs in a budget and keep possible future housing options separate.

For another regional project at a different stage, read the Shepparton supportive housing update. That proposal has its own delivery and access arrangements.

Sources and review date

• NSW Government: Major milestone reached for Lismore Build to Rent homes, published 9 September 2026, checked 11 September 2026. Construction dates are expectations stated in that release, subject to weather.
• Worked figures are original illustrative calculations: 450 ÷ 1,800 × 100 = 25%; 540 ÷ 1,800 × 100 = 30%; 90 × 52 = 4,680.

General information only. This article is not a rental offer, eligibility determination, financial, legal, tax or credit advice, investment recommendation or forecast. Check project details with Landcom or the appointed operator and seek appropriately qualified advice for personal decisions.

Editorial image: AI-generated conceptual illustration of rental housing and a budget notebook. It is not a photograph or architectural rendering of the East Lismore development.

Last updated: 11 September 2026.