LOGAN homeowners impacted most by February-March flooding are yet to be offered a buy-back deal.
However, the signs are positive for those wanting to move with the government promising all valuations to take place in Logan before Christmas.
The timeline comes after homeowners in Goodna and Brisbane were first to gain the voluntary offer from the state and federal governments last week.
The fund totals $741 million Resilient Homes Fund.
The resilience program is the largest of its kind ever to be delivered in Australia.
A total of 40 buy back offers have now been presented to eligible Ipswich and Brisbane residents, with 213 properties throughout eight local government areas currently identified for buy back, including Logan.
Minister for Emergency Management Senator the Hon Murray Watt said the investment will be life-changing and marks the beginning of a brighter future out of the flood zone.
“The flooding we saw last storm season was catastrophic, and its unprecedented nature required an extraordinary response from all levels of government,” Minister Watt said.
“There is $350 million available for the voluntary purchase of flood-impacted homes as part of the $741 million Resilient Homes Fund, and we expect this to secure the purchase of around 500 homes.
“We know this is an incredibly hard decision for many people, and the Queensland Government is working closely with every homeowner through each stage of the process.”
Under the planning, there are three options to those impacted by flooding: retrofitting, house raising or voluntary home buy back.
Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority Steven Miles said homeowners were offered two valuations – one pre-flood and one post-flood – and were able to accept the highest of those two valuations to ensure they received a fair price for their home.
“Having valuations now being accepted is a major step forward,” Mr Miles said.
“Our government is working with the Commonwealth, local governments, insurers and the building industry to rollout this program as quickly as possible, with these first properties to be settled before Christmas.
“More than 95 valuations have been undertaken, and we expect to have all properties selected for valuation by the end of the year.
“Once a property is bought back, the local council manages removal of the home and future use of the land,” he said.
“Advanced funds have already been provided to Brisbane and Ipswich councils to carry out this work, with funds available to other councils when required.
“We continue to encourage eligible Queensland homeowners impacted by the 2022 floods to register for the $741 million Resilient Homes Fund.”
As at 30 September, there have been 4973 registrations of interest in the Resilient Homes Fund, including 529 people registering a preference for the Voluntary Home Buy Back Program, 1387 for house-raising, and 1904 for resilient retrofitting.
