More homeowners in flood-prone areas such as Gympie are set to receive a voluntary home buy-back offer, with the additional purchase of another 300 homes announced recently under the Resilient Homes Fund.
The jointly funded initiative delivered through Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), was established in May 2022 following the catastrophic 2021-22 rainfall and flooding events.
To date, 370 offers have been accepted for voluntary home buy-back, out of the 473 offers which have been presented to homeowners.
There have been 238 sale contracts already settled, allowing the impacted residents to move on with their lives without the risk of future flooding.
A total of 491 valuation inspections have been undertaken so it is expected that the number of offers accepted will grow steadily over the coming months.
While applications for the Voluntary Home Buy-Back program are closed, impacted homeowners can still apply for the Resilient Retrofit or Home Raising programs until 30 July 2023, as part of the Resilient Homes Fund.
Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said the initial predictions underestimated the number of homes affected.
“Original estimates for the program predicted just over 500 homes would be identified for purchase, and now more than 800 will be able to be bought back. “These additional homes will be purchased through efficiencies identified in the existing disaster funding allocation.
“By getting people out of harm’s way we can help to defend against the horrific loss of life, and property damage that we’ve seen in previous disasters.
“The Resilient Homes Fund has already delivered major relief to Queensland families who have now been moved to safer ground and it’s great to see it extended.
Deputy Premier Steven Miles said the floods of last year were some of the worst ever seen in Queensland.
“The South East Queensland floods, which caused damage to almost 7000 homes, was one of the state’s most devastating disasters.
“(This) announcement will enable more impacted Queenslanders to accept life-changing offers, signalling a safer future for flood-impacted individuals and their families.
“As home assessments progressed and flood and risk data was analysed, it became apparent that there were more homes that should be candidates for buy-back.
“The purchase of more homes will be very welcome news for homeowners who want to start again in a safer location and whose land should never be built on again.”
Queensland Reconstruction Authority CEO Major General Jake Ellwood said those owners of homes eligible for the scheme should already know it and to check their emails.
“Homeowners who have been identified for buy-back have been notified via email and will be contacted to arrange an independent valuation.
“Following homeowner agreement, the program funds the respective council to purchase the land, with all homes purchased under the program demolished or removed, and the land re-zoned to an appropriate, non-occupied use such as green space.
“This is the first household resilience program of its kind to be offered in Australia and will change the region’s resilience to flooding.”
More than 6200 homeowners have now registered for the Resilient Homes Fund.
Queenslanders whose homes were damaged by flooding in 2021-22 can still register to be considered for Resilient Retrofit or Home Raising.
The Department of Energy and Public Works is managing the delivery of the retrofitting and house-raising components of the Resilient Homes Fund, while the Queensland Reconstruction Authority is managing the voluntary home buy-back program together with local government.
For more on the Resilient Homes Fund, visit www.qld.gov.au/resilienthomes.
