The NSW Government has opened its voluntary buyback scheme for flood-affected residents. 

The buyback scheme is part of the Northern Rivers Resilient Homes Program, jointly funded by the Federal and NSW Governments.

Record flooding in February and March of last year caused the death of five people, the destruction of 4000 homes, and left communities devastated. As a result, the state and federal government committed $700 million, with $520 million allocated to buying back properties from people living in flood-prone areas. 

The scheme aims to support thousands of homeowners in the Ballina, Byron, Clarence Valley, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed Local Government Areas to re-establish their lives after devastating floods.

The Northern Rivers Reconstruction Corporation (NRRC) has reportedly received over 6000 applications for flood-proofing homes through retrofitting, house raising, and repair.

In its first round, the NRRC is making buyback offers to the first 250 residents whose homes are in the region’s highest flood risk areas by the end of April.

The NSW government says it is in close consultation with people about buying back their homes in flood-prone areas and unlocking land to facilitate relocations to areas less affected by significant flood events.

NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said this week that “the long-term plan is to get people into homes that are not affected by flooding in a way that works in with the local community”, and that it is not for the government to “come in and dictate to locals in relation to what they should do or where they should live”. 

Following protests by Lismore locals outside the NRRC in January, Deputy Premier Paul Toole stated that once buybacks were complete, approvals for flood-proofing would follow.

The government says all residents registered with the Resilient Homes Program will be contacted about their eligibility for a buyback, house raising, or retrofitting packages. 

NRRC chief David Witherdin has stated that he “wants everyone to know we are committed to working with and listening to the community, ensuring homeowners have the information they need and providing access to independent support and advisory services”.