The Resilient Homes Program has received a $90 million boost from the federal Labor Government today, bringing the total program value to $880 million.

More than 1000 days after the February 2022 14.4 metre flood ripped through the heart of Lismore, Coraki, Woodburn and other parts of the Northern Rivers, the Resilient Homes Program is still assessing applications from residents for a house buyback. The Lismore App knows of one in South Lismore and another on Cathcart Street that are waiting for a valuation and a decision through appeal.

Member for Lismore and NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, Janelle Saffin, said, “We thank the residents of the Northern Rivers for their continued patience as the Resilient Homes Program Northern Rivers continues to grow and be enhanced.

“When the program was first announced at the end of 2022, we knew we would need more funding, and here it is.

“The continuous improvement in the RHP is a testament to government listening to community needs. By revising requirements for those eligible for resilient measures funding, more people will have a pathway for assistance.”

The Resilient Homes Program (RHP) was first established in October 2022 to relocate homeowners (owner occupiers and investors renting their property) from high-risk flood areas by buying back properties that represent the greatest risk to life, as well as improving the resilience of eligible homes against future floods by raising, relocating, rebuilding, or retrofitting.

This funding will see more homes prioritised for buybacks and resilient measures. As of 29 November, 836 offers had been approved under the RHP, and 708 buyback offers had been accepted, with 564 settlements completed.

To help more homeowners access the funding in the resilient measures stream (house raises and retrofits), eligibility requirements have been revised to include a hardship provision that waives the co-contribution for eligible homeowners. It will also provide additional up-front funding for design and planning work in the initial stages.

Initial funding of $700 million was jointly funded between the Australian and NSW Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

The NSW Government confirmed a further $90 million in its June Budget, which has now been matched by the Australian Government, bringing the total to $880 million. This is still shy of the first muted $1.4 billion tabled to parliament in 2022; however, it will be welcomed by homeowners looking to move forward with their life.

(Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliot, Emergency Management Minister Senator Jenny McAllister, NSW Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery Janelle Saffin and Tweed Shire Mayor Cr Chris Cherry at today's announcement in Murwillumbah. Photo: supplied)

The RHP is being delivered by the NSW RA. More information is available from the RA’s website: www.nsw.gov.au/resilienthomesprogram

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Jenny McAlister, said, “The Northern Rivers is one of the most flood-prone regions in Australia, and the community have proven their resilience time and time again to repeated flooding.

“But we also know that risk of future flooding is growing. That’s why this program is so important -moving people in areas of greatest risk out of harm’s way and, where they can remain in their homes, ensuring that they are better able to withstand floods.

“Today's investment builds on more than $1.2 billion jointly committed for the Northern Rivers through recovery support packages through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and more than $193 million in direct Commonwealth investment for medium-long term recovery and resilience projects.”

NSW Minister for Planning Paul Scully, “The Resilient Homes Program Northern Rivers is the largest program of its kind in Australia and is groundbreaking in terms of climate change adaptation.

“Home buybacks and improving the resilience of homes in the Northern Rivers increases the capacity of the community to withstand the impacts of future floods.

“I’d like to thank the Australian Government for matching the NSW Government’s contributions dollar for dollar, which is a significant investment in the future of this community.”

NSW Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib, “The 2022 flood in the Northern Rivers has been described as Australia’s worst ever flood disaster, requiring a massive response from the whole community and governments at all levels.

“The RHP is continuing to assess properties for eligibility under the program.

“The size and scale of the program means that delivery takes time, but we’re confident the program will help give people options to move off the floodplain and make their homes more resilient against the future impacts of floods.”