Demolition is now underway on the first community title scheme to have achieved voluntary home buy-back as part of the $741 million Resilient Homes Fund (RHF), jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments.

The unit complex in Mill Street, Goodna, was significantly impacted by flooding in February 2022, and at high risk of future flooding.

All 20 homeowners of the unit complex accepted offers under the Voluntary Home Buy-Back program last year, with settlement reached in October 2023.

The RHF, a jointly funded initiative delivered through the Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA), was established following the catastrophic 2021-22 rainfall and flooding events.

Voluntary home buy-back was identified for properties that were the most severely impacted and at the greatest risk of future flooding.

Following identification for buy-back and offer acceptance by homeowners, the Mill Street properties and land were purchased by the Ipswich City Council using program funds.

The complex will now be demolished and the land re-zoned to an appropriate, non-occupied use, such as green space, by council.

Quotes attributable to the Member for Oxley, the Hon Milton Dick MP:

“Our region led the way responding to the 2022 floods that left such devastation across Ipswich and the South-East.”

“This is another milestone in our community, which is all about future-proofing our communities against flooding and natural disasters.”

“I am proud to have fought to ensure our local community got its fair share of support, and it’s great to see this progress continue in the Goodna community.”

Quotes attributable to minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Nikki Boyd:

“I am delighted that the unit owners here in Mill Street, Goodna, have been able to move on, free from the risk of future flooding.

“To date, 628 homes have settled under the program out of the 683 offers which have been accepted by homeowners.

“394 of these properties have already been demolished or relocated across 8 local government areas, ensuring hundreds of families are out of harm’s way.

“Work is also continuing with homeowners registered for Resilient Retrofit or Home Raise under the Resilient Homes Fund. These programs are helping Queenslanders to make their homes as flood resilient as possible.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum:

“The new Miles Labor Goverment’s Resilient Homes Fund buy back means that no local will face the future devastation and misery of being a flood victim at this location.

“Instead we are delivering a new community space that will improve local liveability and improve our local protection and resilience from future natural disasters.

“By freeing up this block of land, we’re creating more green space for locals to enjoy for generations to come.

“It’s another way Labor’s Big Build is delivering for Bundamba.”

Further information:

Registrations for the Resilient Homes Fund have now closed. For more information about the Resilient Homes Fund, visit www.qld.gov.au/resilienthomes

The Queensland Reconstruction Authority is managing the Voluntary Home Buy-Back program, while the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works is managing the Home Raising and Resilient Retrofit programs under the Resilient Homes Fund.

Article Contributed by The Honourable Nikki Boyd, Queensland Government