Central West New South Wales homeowners impacted by 2022 floods can access $40 million in funding to help them rebuild, repair, relocate, raise or buyback their homes.
Homeowners can apply for the funding through the Federal and New South Wales Government’s joint Resilient Homes Program.
The program covers the LGAs of Cabonne, Forbes, Lachlan and Parkes. Homeowners in Euabalong in Cobar may also be eligible.
The program has been developed after intensive community consultation and in partnership with the Central West Community Leaders Forum. It is part of the broader $100 million Central West Recovery and Resilience package, jointly funded by both governments under Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Residents who meet eligibility criteria and are prioritised for inclusion in the program will be offered a home buyback or a grant towards improving the resilience of their home through measures such as relocating, raising, rebuilding or retrofitting.
Building on lessons learned in the Northern Rivers, the program will take individual circumstances into account, with priority given to those facing additional barriers and challenges that could increase their vulnerability or risk in future flooding events.
Eligible homeowners will also be provided with free home assessments and advice on the steps they can take to improve the resilience of their homes, which can help reduce the time and cost involved in recovering from future flood events and mean that people can get back into their homes sooner.
The program has three streams that include:
- Home Buybacks – for homes in areas of very high flood risk, where properties may be eligible for voluntary purchase
- Resilient Measures – grant funding of between $50,000 and $100,000 to eligible homeowners to assist with raising liveable areas of their home, relocating their home, rebuilding a more resilient home or retrofitting their home with more resilient materials and innovative design features. Additional funding through a co-contribution option may also be available if the costs of works exceed the grant funding
- Free Home Assessments – a flood resilience expert will help identify opportunities to increase the resilience of a home and provide advice to the homeowner
Eligibility for the program is informed by flood maps that identify future flood risk in each Local Government Area (LGA). These are based on flood studies, updated data and input from technical experts, in consultation with councils, SES and others.
Both the eligibility criteria and consideration of individual circumstances will be used to determine whether households are prioritised for assistance under the program, and to ensure that support is directed to those whose needs are greatest.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Jenny McAllister, said that the government wants to make sure that Central West communities are more resilient the next time they face a disaster of this scale.
“This program has been co-designed with the community, to help residents rebuild, repair or relocate,” Minister McAllister said.
“The development of this program has really been driven by the local community and I want to thank them for working so collaboratively with both our government and the State Government.
“This is the next step in making sure the Central West is better prepared for future flood events. I encourage eligible homeowners to apply for this funding so we can minimise the impacts on homes and families going forward.”
New South Wales Minister for Planning and Public Spaces, Paul Scully, said, “We’ve designed this program with the community in mind following time I have spent in the region and time spent working with community leaders which is why it offers a range of options to reduce the impact on homes in higher risk locations, if disaster strikes again.”
“As we near the second anniversary of the 2022 flood event, this is a major step forward to building back communities to be stronger than before,” Minister Scully said.
“I encourage residents impacted by the 2022 floods who may be eligible to apply for assistance under the Central West Resilient Homes Program.”
New South Wales Minister for Emergency Services, Jihad Dib, said that during his visits to the region he could see the importance of implementing this program to better protect the community against future floods, which is why the State Government has made it a priority.
“I’d like to thank everyone who has shared their story and their insights which have helped shape a locally driven program which will reshape these communities,” Minister Dib said.
“This program will help communities better prepare for future disasters and we want to encourage homeowners to apply.”
New South Wales Parliamentary Secretary for Disaster Recovery, Janelle Saffin, said that these are important and welcome measures for the flood impacted communities of the Central West.
“Buybacks will help more vulnerable people to relocate from high-risk flood areas, while the grants will allow people to stay in the communities they love in safer, more resilient homes,” Ms Saffin said.
“Free professional advice and home assessments are also essential so people can make informed decisions that best suit their personal circumstances.
“I commend the New South Wales and Federal Government for responding to the needs of the community and extending this vital support.”
Member for Orange, Phil Donato, said that this program will provide eligible homeowners with the support they need to make their homes more resilient as they continue to rebuild their lives.
“This will help people to be better able to withstand future flooding and will mean communities can stay together,” Mr Donato said.
“We also want to reassure anyone applying that we are here to help and will be providing you with the support you need to participate in this program.”
For more information visit the NSW Reconstruction Authority website. Applications can be made via an online form.
Homeowners can also visit one of the locations listed on the website to get support with their application.
