Lismore could move part of its business and industrial areas to its golf course, as part of a range of measures to flood-proof the city.
Lismore City Council has released a discussion paper with a range of ideas on how to rebuild in the wake of its catastrophic floods in February and March.
The floods inundated thousands of homes and businesses and, more than two months later, many have not returned or are still struggling to plan a rebuild.
Council general manager John Walker said the aim was to put forward the paper with a range of ideas for public feedback and discussion.
"Included in what was suggested is a planned retreat of residential dwellings in North and South Lismore," he said.
Mr Walker said the paper also proposed maintaining the CBD in its current riverside location with extra flood protection measures.
But he said the council also needed to identify land for other light industrial areas.
"One, which may be controversial, is looking at a new mixed-use centre on the golf course … which is, I think, 32 hectares of mostly flood-free land," he said.
He said he expected the public discussion would be emotional for North and South Lismore residents, who were among the worst hit by the floods.
"People who have lived there long term and want to stay there despite the floods, people who don't know where to go because at the moment we don't have that land available for land swaps," Mr Walker said.
Mr Walker said the process would be a complex one that involved state government and the housing task force.
Opportunity to give feedback
Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg said all options were up for discussion.
"This is a discussion paper and floating ideas, giving people the opportunity to speak and voice their opinions as to where they want to see Lismore head," he said.
"This is people's livelihoods and people's homes and people's businesses.
The discussion paper was released ahead of a public meeting in Lismore tonight for the state government's independent flood inquiry.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the community feedback would be vital.
"We want to work through this in a way that ensures, as we rebuild our local communities in the northern rivers, we do so in a way that works and builds resilience," he said.
"I want a fair dinkum report that goes to the heart of the issue, gives the government strong advice, and we'll look at it."
Meanwhile, Lismore City Council will hold two public forums for feedback on its discussion paper later this month.
Residents are also invited to provide written feedback before June 10.
Climate report highlights need for new approach
The discussion about Lismore's future comes as the Climate Council warns of the increased risk facing Australian homes from worse weather extremes.
The council has released a report estimating more than one in 10 homes across the northern rivers will be uninsurable by 2030.
The Richmond electorate, which includes Tweed Heads and Byron Bay, has been ranked second in the country for the percentage of high-risk properties.
The federal electorate of Page, which covers Lismore, comes in ninth.
Report author Nicki Hutley said, in Lismore, one in five homes would be uninsurable.
"We know many people in Lismore couldn't get insurance before this flood so the situation is certainly not going to improve for them," she said.
