Houses inundated by floodwater in Auchenflower, Brisbane, after Queensland experienced its worst flooding in 30 years in early 2022. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled
Official figures have revealed where flood-weary homeowners will give up 346 more homes in an 800-strong government buyback scheme that will demolish inundated houses for green space.
An additional 346 homes were identified for the Voluntary Home Buy-Back program under the Albanese and Palaszczuk Government’s Resilient Homes Fund.
Data provided to The Courier-Mail by the Resilient Homes Fund Monday showed the largest chunk of Queensland’s hardest hit homeowners were in the Greater Brisbane region, with those in Brisbane City Council local government area dominating with an additional 146 homeowners to receive a voluntary home buyback offer.
It’s a massive jump from just nine in Brisbane that accepted the government’s offer to buy back their homes in October last year.
Most of the homes being bought back as part of the program were expected to be turned into green space like many parklands across Queensland that now absorb run-off and inundation. Picture: NCA NewsWire / John Gass.
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Ipswich City Council had the second highest home buyback numbers in the latest round, with 65 homes identified for buyback by government – a rise from 25 offers accepted in October 2022.
Moreton Bay Regional Council homeowners had the third highest buyback numbers this round at 43, followed by 27 in Logan City Council.
Across the regions where flooding also hit hard during the 2021-2022 period, the highest buyback numbers have come out of homeowners in Gympie Regional Council where 36 are on the latest list, followed by 14 in Lockyer Valley Regional Council, 12 in Fraser Coast Regional Council and one in Noosa Shire Council.
Bancroft MP Chris Whiting, Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt, Qld Deputy Premier Steven Miles, program recipient Shannon Perotte, Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery and QRA CEO Jake Ellwood during the weekend’s Resilient Homes Fund Voluntary Home Buy-Back scheme announcement. Picture: Richard Walker
Queensland deputy premier Dr Steven Miles announced the update to the buyback scheme to “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 buyback. 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.”
Flooded homes are being bought back thanks to a $741m Resilient Homes Fund jointly funded through Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements after catastrophic 2021-22 rainfall and flooding events.
Gap Creek Road in Kenmore Hills closed due to flooding in April 2021. Picture: Richard Walker
Dr Miles statement said over 800 homes were identified after having been impacted in the 2021-22 floods, with 238 homes already settled under the buyback program.
“To date, 370 offers have been accepted for voluntary home buyback, 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.”
Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt said “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.”
“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.”
Houses inundated by floodwater in Auchenflower, Brisbane, in early 2022. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Dan Peled
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Queensland Reconstruction Authority CEO Major General Jake Ellwood said homeowners identified for buyback were notified via email and will be contacted to arrange independent valuations.
“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 rezoned 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.”
The statement said the Voluntary Home Buy-Back program was now closed for applications but impacted homeowners could still apply for the Resilient Retrofit or Home Raising programs until July 30 this year.
More than 6,200 homeowners have now registered for the Resilient Homes Fund.
VHBB Additional Homes – LGA breakdown
Brisbane City Council 148
Ipswich City Council 65
Moreton Bay Regional Council 43
Logan City Council 27
Gympie Regional Council 36
Lockyer Valley Regional Council 14
Fraser Coast Regional Council 12
Noosa Shire Council 1
TOTAL 346
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