Green light given to turn flooded land into parkland and open space

With more than 350 offers accepted in the government’s flood buyback scheme, the rules have been changed so it’s easier for councils to convert to parklands and open space.

Rule changes will be introduced to make it easier for councils to turn land purchased under the flood buyback scheme into open areas and green space.

The Sunday Mail can reveal more than 350 offers have been accepted under the scheme set up in the wake of last year’s devastating floods, with more than 180 contracts officially settled.

Demolition has kicked off on 27 of the properties, which are handed over to councils once they are purchased under the jointly funded state and federal government program.

In Brisbane, 156 land purchase offers have been accepted – the most of any local government area – while 121 flood-hit residents in Ipswich have agreed to sell their properties.

Another 15 offers have been accepted in Logan, 26 in Moreton Bay, 17 in the Lockyer Valley region, 12 on the Fraser Coast, eight in Gympie and three on the Sunshine Coast.

Flood victims Hannah and Shane Caller, whose Auchenflower home was recently bought as part of the 2022 flood buy back, outside their fenced-off house. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier-Mail

Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Steven Miles said the government was now looking at ways to make it easier for councils to rezone the land into a “non-occupied use”, such as green space.

The government is proposing changes to the state’s planning framework that will allow councils to rezone the land to a range of uses without undergoing public consultation or a state-interest review. These uses include open space, conservation, environmental management, recreational space and reserve space.

“This will enable councils to easily rezone such land for non-habitable uses like open space, reducing regulatory burden and saving time,” Mr Miles said of the proposed planning changes. “Consultation is currently under way on the proposed amendment.”

The Queensland Reconstruction Authority estimates almost 7000 homes were damaged during the major flood event in late February last year which affected the state’s South East.

A QRA spokeswoman said homeowners who were the “most severely impacted” and at the highest risk of being flooded again were included in the voluntary buyback scheme.

“Homeowners receive two valuations of the property, including a pre-flood and current market value,” she said. “The offer will be the higher of these, ensuring homeowners receive a fair price for their home.

“The sale of flood-impacted homes is a very important decision for homeowners.

“While some purchases have occurred quickly, others may take more time.”