The first flood impacted Ipswich houses have been settled through the jointly funded Commonwealth and State government $741 million Resilient Homes Fund, the largest program of its kind to ever be delivered in Queensland.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the first four houses in Goodna were settled on 14 November and were now owned by Ipswich City Council.
“This is an important milestone in Ipswich’s flood recovery, and the timing of these settlements means these families can now move forward with their lives in time for Christmas,” Mayor Harding said.
“There were 32 offers presented at Goodna and council has begun the process of buying those houses with 29 homeowners having accepted offers so far.
“Once a written offer is accepted by a homeowner, council will then undertake conveyancing and the purchase of those properties.”
Local Recovery and Resilience Group Chairperson Cr Kate Kunzelmann and Mayor Teresa Harding in Goodna with buy-back recipient Dirk and Sophia de Vos.
Local Recovery and Resilience Group Chairperson Councillor Kate Kunzelmann said assessments were ongoing for the hundreds of damaged and flood impacted homes and properties across Ipswich.
“Council is pleased to partner with state and federal governments on this important project, which has targeted the most at-risk flood areas first,” Cr Kunzelmann.
“I urge every Ipswich resident who has not yet registered for the Resilient Homes Fund to check the scheme’s website and learn which program suits your needs and register as soon as possible.”
Minister for Emergency Management Senator the Hon Murray Watt said the settlement of the first voluntary home buy-backs represented an important milestone for the program.
“Many Queenslanders were impacted by the devastating floods earlier this year. For those whose homes were the most severely damaged and are at greatest risk of future flooding, this program has now allowed them to move on with their lives, out of the flood zone,” Mr Watt said
“This program truly has the potential to change people’s lives by improving their resilience to future flooding or removing them from harm’s way altogether.”
The Queensland and Australian Governments developed the $741 million Resilient Homes Fund, which the Voluntary Home Buy Back program is a part of, to assist those who were affected by the 2021-2022 floods.
Under the Resilient Homes Fund, funding is available to assist eligible flood-affected homeowners to:
- Repair or retrofit homes
- Raise flood affected homes
- Apply to have their homes bought on a voluntary basis
To register your interest in the Resilient Homes Fund visit the QRA website.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Steven Miles said a total of 29 offers had been accepted for voluntary home buy-backs across Ipswich to date.
“With $350 million allocated for our Voluntary Home Buy-Back Program, we expect to be able to purchase approximately 500 homes in total,” Mr Miles said.
“Around 160 Ipswich homeowners of flood impacted homes will receive valuations as part of the Voluntary Home Buy-Back program.
“Valuations are continuing across Ipswich in the suburbs of Basin Pocket, Bundamba, Churchill, East Ipswich, Goodna, Karalee, Moores Pocket, North Booval, North Ipswich, One Mile, Sadliers Crossing, Tivoli, West Ipswich and Wulkuraka.
“We will continue to work hard to progress homeowners through the program to allow them to either move into a new home or make their existing home as flood resilient as possible.”
Once a property has been purchased and settlement finalised, houses will be demolished in due course, with the land being re-zoned for non-habitable uses.
For more information about Resilient Homes Fund, visit www.qld.gov.au/resilienthomes
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