Queensland Resilient Homes Fund

This program provides a grant to raise homes to reduce the impacts of future flood events. The focus is on raising habitable floors to meet or exceed the required flood hazard level (minimum habitable floor level), as prescribed by the relevant local government planning scheme. This initiative may also include moving the home on the same parcel of land (for example, moving it to higher ground).

In addition to the building, earthworks and foundation costs, the program will cover reasonable costs such as relocation and reconnection of essential services, soil tests, required professional services such as engineering, and reinstating access such as stairs.

There are eligibility requirements associated with the program. Homeowners can apply for a funding grant of up to $100,000 towards the cost of raising their homes. Work in excess of the $100,000 will require a contribution from the homeowner on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

This program provides funding to repair (through enhancing resilience) or retrofit homes to:
• incorporate flood resilient design and materials in liveable rooms or areas; and
• to raise or relocate services essential to the continued liveability of the home.

Deliverables of this program may include the following:
• minimising the chance of flood damage to the home;
• minimising the costs and inconvenience of recovery after flood events;
• saving homeowners from having to pay for repetitive repairs following flood events in the long-term; and
• preparing homes for future flood events

Homeowners may apply for funding grants of up to $50,000 toward repairing (enhancing resilience) or retrofitting. If the cost of the works is estimated to exceed $50,000, homeowners will be required to co-contribute on a dollar-for-dollar basis.

This program is a voluntary program which provides funding for councils to buy back flood affected homes, on a case-by-case basis prioritised on:
• severity of damage from the 2021-22 flooding;
• flood risk; and
• socio-economic factors.

Properties are purchased at fair market value and the decision to accept an offer for buy-back rests solely with the homeowner.

A key deliverable of the buy-back program is to mitigate the risk to life and property in areas that are susceptible to frequent and severe flooding.

The Voluntary Buy-Back program covers costs associated with independent valuation of the property and a homeowners costs associated with the sale of the property (e.g., legal costs). For councils, costs include legal costs, home demolition, land rehabilitation and rezoning to non-occupied uses.

All works under the program must be completed and final payments made by 30 June 2024.