Record-breaking disaster package to rebuild 7k Qld homes

Up to 7000 homes will receive vital upgrades to better protect against flooding as part of the largest disaster assistance package in Queensland’s history.

The largest disaster assistance package in Queensland’s history will see up to 7000 flooded homes retrofitted, raised or bought back by the government – but there are few details about who will be eligible for the cash.

A $771m Resilient Residential Recovery Package announced by the state government on Saturday will result in up to 5500 homes being retrofitted, 1000 raised and 500 bought back by the state following last month’s deadly floods.

Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Steven Miles revealed the funding, the single largest disaster support package in Queensland history, would help homeowners “build back better”.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles announced the funding on Saturday.

“This is a world-leading initiative to ensure that we aren’t just building back, that we don’t put residents back into homes that will flood again,” he said.

However, there are few details about who will be eligible for the assistance and how it will be administered – with that expected to be worked out once the Commonwealth indicates its approval to share costs.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk wrote to Prime Minister Scott Morrison just hours before Mr Miles’ press conference on Saturday offering a 50-50 split on the $741m funding package.

It is understood the Prime Minister was unaware of the state government’s proposal before it was announced, but his office is considering the proposal.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was unaware of the proposal before its announcement on Saturday. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

Mr Miles said while the state government’s funding was available, he said it would be reconsidered if Mr Morrison declined to split the $741m package cost.

“I certainly hope that the Prime Minister agrees to this agrees to this package, but obviously that’s up to him,” he said.

The Deputy Premier asked flooded homeowners “to bear with us” and said the guidelines and application process would be developed once Mr Morrison indicated its support.

State government assessments indicate there are 6800 damaged homes, however Suncorp Group has already received 38,000 insurance claims relating to the event – which CEO Steve Johnston said was bigger than tropical cyclones Yasi and Debbie and the 2011 and 2019 Townsville floods.

Milton as flood waters began receding. NewsWire / Sarah Marshall

Mr Miles’ Saturday morning press conference at Auchenflower was briefly interrupted by frustrated residents, including Col Beardmore, who demanded to know how long it would take for the cash to be rolled out.

“What you’re feeling here is a little bit of anger from a community which is very close knit,” Mr Beardmore told media afterwards.

“I’m a bit reluctant to throw the towel in and say by me back and I’ll get out.

“At the same time I really don’t want to spend tens of thousands of dollars fixing the place up knowing that it doesn’t even last 11 years.”

Insurance Council of Australia CEO Andrew Hall said the announcement indicated governments were shifting their thinking “to learn from the lessons of the current disaster and invest in mitigation ahead of the inevitable next event”.

Originally published as Record-breaking disaster package to rebuild 7k Qld homes