Up to $10,000 will be made available for eligible homeowners. Photo: ADF.
The Federal and Queensland governments have announced a grants program to help homeowners in north Queensland to upgrade and build flood resilience into their homes.
The grants of up to $10,000 per homeowner will be available through the joint Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), with the ‘Stronger Homes Grants’ designed to help homeowners build resilience against future flood events.
Up to $10,000 will be made available for eligible homeowners for works such as raising essential services such as electrical switchboards, hot water systems and air-conditioning, and to help protect parts of their homes from flood damage.
Federal Emergency Management Minister Jenny McAllister said the Federal Government was with Queenslanders for the long haul as communities recovered.
“The damage caused by flooding can be devastating for families. Investing in resilience lowers the impact of future events, and helps locals rebuild stronger,” she said.
QLD Premier David Crisafulli said the government was focused on long-term solutions to reduce the impacts of Queensland’s weather.
“We’re backing North Queenslanders with real support to strengthen their properties and rebuild with confidence,” he said.
“Every time we rebuild smarter, we save lives, we protect livelihoods, and we reduce the cost of recovery.
“By building stronger, flood-resilient homes, we can help protect families and communities from the devastating impacts of repeated flooding.”
QLD Minister for Housing and Public Works Sam O’Connor said, combined with recent increases in construction costs, many residents were likely to struggle to properly rebuild.
“We know many homes in North and Far North Queensland have been flooded before, and they will face flooding again,” he said.
“This program provides support for homeowners to make their homes more flood resilient.
“This is a smart, long-term investment in Queensland’s future, helping to reduce displacement, financial hardship, and paying the same recovery costs over and over again.
“Stronger, more resilient homes could also ease pressure on insurance premiums.”
Insurance groups have welcomed the grants program, saying it will help flood-impacted residents in the long term.
“Reducing flood risk though programs like this one not only better protects lives and property, but is the only sustainable way to put downward pressure on premiums,” Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) Deputy CEO Kylie Macfarlane said.
“The Queensland Government is to be congratulated for putting this program in place, and insurers and the ICA look forward to working with them on the program’s implementation.”
Suncorp CEO of Consumer Insurance Lisa Harrison said it would help homeowners improve their resilience to extreme weather through achievable and practical upgrades.
“In the aftermath of a flood, it is often the damage to the internal systems of a home that can be very challenging,” she said.
“Practical upgrades such as raising electrical switchboards, data and electrical points, hot water systems and air conditioner units above the flood level can reduce the impact of future floods, meaning people can get back into their homes sooner.
“Queenslanders are known for their resilience, and Suncorp will be here, working with our customers, government and the community, to build back better.”
RACQ General Manager of Advocacy Joshua Cooney said the government’s funding commitment was an important step in making North Queensland stronger.
“We applaud the State Government’s commitment to adopting a ‘build it back better’ approach to help the region recover and rebuild,” he said.
“The Resilient Homes Fund is a great example of what can be achieved when all levels of government and industry work together to lessen the impact of future disasters.
“RACQ is committed to working hand-in-hand with the State Government to ensure our eligible RACQ members rebuild their homes stronger as a result of the Stronger Homes Grant program.”
