The first flood impacted Ipswich houses have been settled through the $741 million Resilient Homes Fund, the largest program of its kind to ever be delivered in Queensland.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding says 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 says.
“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.”
Ipswich residents who have not yet registered for the scheme are being urged to do as as assessments for hundreds of damaged and flood impacted homes and properties are ongoing.
Minister for Emergency Management Senator the Hon Murray Watt says 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 says.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Steven Miles says 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.”
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.
More information about the Resilient Homes Fund can be found here.
