Anthony Albanese, Dom Perrottet join forces on $800m flood buyback scheme

Flood-affected residents in one state have been offered a lifeline so that they never have to go through such devastation again.

Two-thousand homeowners affected by the crippling floods in NSW’s Northern Rivers region will be able to access an $800m state and federal funding package.

The NSW government announced a flood buyback scheme in partnership with the federal government on Friday.

The biggest portion of $800m has been set aside for Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore and Richmond Valley.

Anthony Albanese said eligibility for the scheme “will be based upon the expert advice” the government now had.

The biggest portion of the $800m buyback scheme has been set aside for Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore and Richmond Valley. Picture: Near Map

“This $800m, shared between the commonwealth and the state government, will go towards buybacks,” the Prime Minister told Channel 7 from Lismore on Friday morning.

“There will also be grants of up to $100,000 to lift homes up but also grants of up to $50,000 for retrofitting areas to provide greater protection.

“What we know is that these extreme weather events are more intense and unfortunately, they are more frequent as well, and the people from where I am now have been doing it really tough.

“I have been working constructively with the NSW government on this and I think today’s announcement really does provide a way forward.”

Residents in flood-affected areas can sell their homes to the government and relocate to higher ground. Picture John Grainger

Under the scheme, residents in the most low-lying flood-affected areas will be offered access to a voluntary buyback scheme in which they sell their homes to the government and relocate to higher ground.

Mr Albanese said the changes would “boost safety and resilience in the community even as the flood risk was predicted to worsen”.

“We know that disasters are expected to become more frequent and more severe due to climate change, and that’s why we’re working with the NSW government to develop practical solutions to protect lives and livelihoods,” he said.

As part of the reconstruction plan after the consecutive floods in February and March, the NSW government will also provide $100m to acquire high-lying land in flood-safe locations for future development in partnership with the Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the package provided a way forward for flood-affected residents. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Brendan Beirne

The corporation is conducting an expression of interest process to identify suitable parcels of land.

“I saw first-hand the devastation extreme flooding caused across the Northern Rivers and I hope this program provides relief for so many residents who have suffered for too long,” NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said on Thursday.

“We are stepping up to provide options for residents to move out of harm’s way and protect themselves and their families, but we cannot continue to build back as we have in the past.”

Mr Albanese also reiterated the scheme was about better planning, saying, “We don’t want to purchase homes and then have homes built back in the same place – mistakes have been made in the past.

“We recognise that climate change is having an impact here in the Northern Rivers as well as other parts of Australia and this is a good example of the commonwealth and state and local government working together to make a real difference together.

“In too many of these areas we have had homes built in areas that are just inappropriate.

North Lismore resident Brian Burgin talks flooding with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet, Deputy Premier Paul Toole, state member for Lismore Janelle Saffin, federal member for Richmond Justin Elliott and federal member for Page Kevin Hogan. Picture: NCA NewsWire/ Brendan Beirne

“We also have our $4bn disaster ready fund, but it is about preparedness and mitigation, better planning for things like levies and making sure that we do what we can to investigate and invest in advance.

“It’s much better to get ahead of a problem than to wait for the disaster to hit and then the cost of it ending up even more.

“Plenty of these homes were built 20, 30, 50 years ago and the insurance was fine then and now they can’t even get insurance.

“People have done it so tough in this area. They have shown such courage and resilience and today’s announcement, I believe, will be really welcomed by all of these communities.”