Flood-ravaged Northern Rivers receives $90 million boost for Resilient Homes Program
The Australian government has announced an additional $90 million investment in the Resilient Homes Program (RHP) for flood-affected areas in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales. This brings the total funding committed to the program to $880 million.
The announcement comes almost three years after catastrophic flooding devastated the region in 2022. The RHP aims to buy back, raise, or retrofit homes in flood-prone areas to reduce future damage and improve community resilience.
The extra funding was welcomed by local leaders, including Tweed Mayor Chris Cherry and Member for Lismore Janelle Saffin. They emphasized that the additional resources would help more residents who were previously ineligible for assistance.
The RHP has been controversial since its launch. Initially, the program promised buy-back offers for 2,000 homes. However, this number was revised to 2,000 total homes eligible for buy-back, retrofitting, or raising. The new funding is expected to increase the number of homes considered for assistance by approximately 300.
Despite the program's limitations, Federal Emergency Management Minister Jenny McAlister emphasized the government's long-term commitment to supporting the Northern Rivers community. She stated that the RHP aims to reduce disaster risk and improve preparedness for future events.
However, some residents, like Murwillumbah resident Sarra Robertson, feel the program's assistance is insufficient. Ms. Robertson accepted a buy-back offer but believes the compensation was inadequate. She expressed the urgent need to relocate due to the ongoing flood risk and lack of insurance.
The RHP continues to be a complex and evolving program. While the additional funding is a positive step, it remains unclear whether it will fully address the needs of all flood-affected residents in the Northern Rivers region.