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The New South Wales Reconstruction Authority has apologised for demolishing one of Lismore's historical houses before its owner could decide what to do with it.
In the wake of the 2022 floods, Luke Asha accepted a buyback from the Reconstruction Authority, and had until next month to move or gift the house under the terms of his contract.
Mr Asha, who spent six years renovating the house, currently lives in Far North Queensland.
Throughout the 1980s and 90s the house at 13 Wotherspoon Street in North Lismore was headquarters of the Rainforest Information Centre. (Supplied: John Seed)
He said his son was riding past the North Lismore property and saw the excavators at work.
"I was given absolutely no notice, so it came as a real shock to me," Mr Asha said.
In a statement, the Reconstruction Authority said the demolition should not have happened.
The authority said independent building specialists had deemed the house structurally unsafe and in a severely compromised state.
"We understand that Mr Asha believed otherwise, and we should have discussed the findings with him before the demolition occurred," a spokesperson said.
Luke Asha, centre, with friends, spent six years renovating the house prior to the 2022 floods. (Supplied: Luke Asha)
'Such a waste'
The demolition is one of about 15 knockdowns already carried out by the Reconstruction Authority in areas inundated by record-breaking floods in 2022.
It said the houses already demolished had been found to be unsafe for salvage or relocation.
The authority is running a trial with the University of Technology Sydney to recycle and reuse building materials from buyback homes.
Many of the homes were built more than 100 years ago from irreplaceable timbers harvested from the rainforest that once covered the region.
Mr Asha said his house had been structurally perfect, apart from its verandah.
He said he had obtained quotes to relocate the house to his land on the Sunshine Coast, had offered to give it to some close friends, and was also open to the idea of it remaining in place to be gifted as a community asset.
Vacant lots are increasingly a feature of some Lismore neighbourhoods. (ABC North Coast: Hannah Ross)
"It's upsetting for me personally, because of the work I have put into it," he said.
"It's upsetting because it is just such a waste for a beautiful building in good condition to be destroyed and demolished.
"And I think it's proven to be upsetting for the community as well because it's not just this house, there are a lot of old timber houses being demolished."
A house with a story
The house has a rich local history as the former headquarters of the Rainforest Information Centre, which was instrumental in the Franklin River and Daintree blockades.
Ruth Rosenheck owned the house before Mr Asha and helped to orchestrate a number of environmental campaigns from within its walls.
Ruth Rosenheck in the property's garden. (Supplied: Ruth Rosenheck)
All the while, a revolving door of guests and tenants shared meals, conversations and just one bathroom.
She said she was devastated to hear the house had been demolished.
"Houses hold stories and connection to place and that was what that house was all about," Ms Rosenheck said.
"People are the place and that house was the vehicle for everything that happened there."
The Reconstruction Authority said it was in touch with Mr Asha to discuss his concerns.
Mr Asha said he expected some sort of compensation from the government and would consider seeking legal advice on the matter.