The trucks were part of a demolition crew, and their arrival signaled the beginning of the end for the historic building. The demolition crew arrived at the site on a Tuesday, and the process began immediately. The demolition crew, comprised of experienced professionals, used heavy machinery to dismantle the cottage. The process was swift and efficient, with the building being reduced to rubble in a matter of hours.
The house was then moved to its new location, a housing development site in Nimbin.
Hamish Webster, pictured outside his home when it was in Lismore. (Supplied: Hamish Webster) By August 2021 he had spent a lot of money raising the house above the one-in-100-year flood level. But it wasn’t high enough. Six months later, the devastating floods wreaked their havoc, with the water level reaching 1.7m above that record flood level. Webster’s flood-damaged house was not insured. “Immediately after the floods, I had no idea what was going on. I didn’t have insurance so I just went into ‘fix my house’ mode,” he said. After 10 months of back-breaking work, Webster was able to move back in last year.
The house was a fixer-upper, a three-bedroom, two-bathroom home in a quiet neighborhood. It had been vacant for years, and was in dire need of renovation. The house was a symbol of Webster’s resilience and determination.
Webster successfully lobbied the government to have this rule overturned. “It just so happened for my case, I had the buyback money come through and my land settlement and my license to occupy post settlement all came through on the exact same day. So it was very stressful,” he said. Webster received $380,000 for the buyback of his land. While the cost to relocate his home was about $100,000, the final price often varied depending on the size of the home and distance to the new location, he said. Hamish Webster said he was still waiting to get power and water hooked up to the house before he could move in. (Supplied: Hamish Webster)
This statement speaks to a deeper passion that extends beyond just a hobby. It embodies a connection to the land, to the craftsmanship of the past, and a respect for the inherent beauty of nature’s materials. Webster’s passion for timber is evident not only in his work but also in his approach to restoring the cottage.
A woman was arrested for allegedly stealing a car. She was taken to the police station for questioning. The woman was then escorted by police to a location for a forensic examination. The process was slow and arduous, taking four hours.
The Kilburns’ story is a reminder that insurance payouts can sometimes be more than just financial compensation. They can also be a catalyst for significant life changes, prompting individuals to explore new possibilities and opportunities. The Kilburns’ experience highlights the importance of understanding the terms and conditions of insurance policies. They had not been aware of the buyback option, which could have potentially saved them significant time and money.
“Here, it’s just a different view.”
This statement highlights the unique and often unexpected nature of relocation. It emphasizes that even when physically moving to a new location, the experience can be profoundly different due to the subtle shifts in perspective and the altered sensory landscape. Kilburn’s observation about the “different view” goes beyond mere aesthetics. It speaks to the broader impact of location on our perception, our sense of self, and our overall well-being.
* **Land Buyback:** The NSW government is offering land buyback to flood-affected residents in Lismore. * **Land for Flood Victims:** The land will be allocated to flood victims who have received a land buyback. * **Relocation Advocate:** Harper Dalton, a local advocate, is helping flood victims relocate their homes.
“You don’t click your fingers and it happens overnight. Even with the house relocation companies, because it’s such a specialised area and there’s not very many of these companies doing it, they’re looking at between a four-to-six month wait as well.
