Owners of flood damaged homes encouraged to register for Resilient Homes Fund
20 July 2022
Ipswich homeowners impacted by flooding earlier this year should consider registering their interest for the Queensland and Australian governments’ Resilient Homes Fund sooner rather than later.
Local Disaster Management Group Chair Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the $741 million fund applied to directly flood-affected residential properties.
“The trail of destruction left behind when the flood waters receded earlier this year was devastating, including damage to almost 600 homes and 300 businesses,” Mayor Harding said.
“In response, the jointly funded Resilient Homes Fund will provide assistance to rebuild and raise homes to improve their flood resilience or, in severe cases, voluntarily buy-back properties.
“So far, 384 homeowners in Ipswich have been deemed eligible for assistance through the fund.
“This includes 76 people interested in raising their home, 88 interested in a resilient rebuild, 143 in the voluntary buyback program and 77 people who are, understandably, still unsure about which option to pursue.
“More Ipswich homeowners may be eligible to receive assistance and while it’s not too late to register, homeowners do so sooner rather than later.
“The fund is an important step in helping residents impacted by the flood events to not only get back into their home sooner, but to do so in a way which improves resilience to future flood events.
“What is important right now is that people impacted by the flooding register for the fund to help the government gather all the data necessary to schedule assessment interviews.”
Local Recovery and Resilience Group Chairperson Councillor Kate Kunzelmann said the register of interest is helping to gauge community interest and determine the scope of works required.
“Once people register their interest, trained assessors discuss eligibility and which options will suit homeowners’ individual properties and circumstances,” Cr Kunzelmann said.
“Council commends the Queensland and Australian governments for working together and jointly funding this program to promote flood resilience in our community and across the south-east.
“Through all levels of government working collaboratively with our community to promote resilience we can ensure a quicker recovery from any future flood events.
“While not administered by council, this fund is an important part of our community’s recovery from these most recent flood events and mitigates against future events.”
Homeowners wanting more information or to register their interest in the Resilient Homes Fund can visit qld.gov.au/resilienthomes