Greens launch $7.8b plan to raise 480,000 flood-affected homes on stumps
The Greens have launched a last campaign push to secure inner-city seats, pledging $7.8 billion for residents in climate change-affected areas to lift their homes above flood levels.
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IN a last, big campaign push aimed at securing inner-city seats, the Greens will announce a $7.8 billion fund for residents in climate change-affected flood areas to raise their houses up on stumps.
Under the scheme eligible residents would be able to apply for a grant of up to $20,000 to go towards lifting their home above flood levels, with the funding to match contributions from the homeowner.
They will announce the scheme in the seat of Ryan, which was hit by this year’s floods and where LNP MP Julian Simmonds is under pressure.
The Greens are heavily targeting the seat of Griffith, while their preferences could decide the results in Brisbane and Ryan.
In the event of a hung parliament, the minor could put the policy up for negotiation.
Queensland Greens Senator Larissa Waters said the scheme would help people raise their houses above flood waters.
“People shouldn’t be starting every summer wondering if our homes will survive,” she said.
“This isn’t sustainable and it isn’t fair, and the Greens will take action to make sure that people in Brisbane and other areas prone to extreme weather events are protected from the climate crisis.”
The Greens would work with government departments and the insurance industry to determine where the grants would be best directed, focusing on regions most at risk of climate-related flooding or cyclones.
The $7.8 billion would be spent over ten years, with about 48,000 homeowners expected to take up the offer each year, thought not all would apply for the full amount of the grant.
Greens Ryan candidate Elizabeth Watson-Brown said she had seen three disastrous floods in the electorate, in 1974, 2011 and 2022.
“A raised home is called a Queenslander for a reason – they’re a vital part of keeping safe in
flood-prone areas,” she said.
“When floods hit, every centimetre of height could be the difference between saving your family home and losing everything you own.”
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