Gympie, Fraser Coast councils buy 15 flooded homes

Houses that went under water in the 2022 floods are being bought up by local councils in Gympie and Maryborough, but a surprising divide is emerging between the two cities.

The state government has revealed four Gympie homes and 11 Fraser Coast homes have been bought back in the wake of 2022’s floods, and the number is expected to grow.

The fallout from 2022’s devastating floods continues to reverberate across the Wide Bay, with 15 inundated properties now bought up by the state government in Gympie and on the Fraser Coast - and more to follow.

New figures from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority reveal four Gympie homeowners and 11 on the Fraser Coast have sold their flood ravaged homes as part of the first wave of buybacks.

Fifth child stung by suspected irukandji on Fraser Island

The QRA is the state government body established in the wake the state’s 2011 disasters and is responsible for helping with recovery efforts, including in the wake of the January, February and May, 2022 floods.

CEO reveals reasons for health service’s ‘terrible’ rating

There has been a surprising contrast between the Fraser Coast and Gympie, though.

As of January 5, 2023, more than two thirds of the 15 offers to Fraser Coast homeowners were accepted.

The state government’s voluntary buyback scheme was launched in the wake of devastating floods which inundated Gympie and Maryborough in early 2022.

At Gympie, which was inundated by the second-largest flood on record, only four of the 12 offers have been taken up.

The figure may grow significantly though; the state said 33 Gympie region residents had registered their interest in the scheme, compared with 15 on the Fraser Coast.

So far there have been 13 valuations carried out on affected homes, leading to 12 offers.

The total amount spent across the region buying back flood-ravaged homes is not yet available.

Thirty-three Gympie region homeowners have registered their interest in having their homes bought back following the 2022 floods, which included the second-worst on record in February. Picture: Infinity Flights Photography.

A QRA spokeswoman said the body “organises two valuations of the property, including a pre-flood and current market value”.

“The offer will be the higher of these, ensuring homeowners receive a fair price for their home,” she said.

“Once an agreement is reached for voluntary home buyback, the property and the land will be purchased by the local council and the building removed.”

The spokeswoman said the land was intended to be rezoned to remain unoccupied, possibly as a green corridor.

Registration for the scheme remains open and can be lodged here.

Originally published as Gympie, Fraser Coast councils buy 15 flooded homes