Flood-impacted residents of the Central West will hear about a range of resilience measures such as home buybacks, raising, retrofits, rebuilds and relocations in the first in a series of information sessions on the $40 million Resilient Homes Program (RHP) this week.
The RHP aims to build stronger, safer communities with measures that help households most at risk from future floods by increasing the resilience of their home or removing them from harm's way.
Forbes is the first stop with three days of drop-in sessions starting today with a further 13 sessions to be held across Cabonne, Lachlan and Parkes Local Government Areas.
Eligible residents impacted by the 2022 floods will be offered free home assessments as part of the RHP. Community members will also be able to have a direct say in the resilient measures to be delivered as well as eligibility requirements, ensuring the Program is unique to the Central West.
Proposed measures include grants for a range of resilience measures, such as raising and retrofitting, home rebuilds and home relocations and a voluntary scheme to buy back properties in the highest flood risk zones.
Residents can attend any session across the Central West and are encouraged to book early for a time that suits them to get an opportunity to provide feedback directly to the RA team.
Sessions are being held in Forbes, Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo, Parkes, Trundle, Eugowra, Molong, Cudal and Canowindra.
| Location | Date | Times | Venue | Format |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forbes | Tuesday 23 July Wednesday 24 July Thursday 25 July |
10am to 7pm | Forbes Town Hall Town Hall Lane, Forbes |
Booked sessions and drop-in |
| Condobolin | Tuesday 30 July | 9.30am to 5pm | Council Chambers 58-64 Molong Street Condobolin |
Drop-in only |
| Lake Cargelligo | Tuesday 30 July | 10am to 3pm | Lachlan Shire Council building 35a Foster Street Lake Cargelligo |
Drop-in sessions only |
| Parkes | Wednesday 31 July Thursday 1 August |
10am to 6pm | Parkes Services Club 9-17 Short Street, Parkes |
Drop-in only |
| Trundle | Wednesday 31 July | 10am to 2pm | Trundle Services and Citizens Club, Forbes Street Trundle | Drop-in only |
| Eugowra | Tuesday 6 August Wednesday 7 August Thursday 8 August |
10am to 7pm 10am to 7pm 9am to 4pm |
Eugowra Showground 63 Oberon Street Eugowra |
Booked sessions and drop-in |
| Molong | Tuesday 6 August | 10am to 3pm | Council Chambers 99-101 Bank Street, Molong |
Booked sessions |
| Cudal | Wednesday 7 August | 10am to 3pm | Council Facility 16 Main Street, Cudal |
Booked sessions |
| Canowindra | Thursday 8 August | 10am to 3pm | CWA Hall 14 Blatchford Street Canowindra |
Booked sessions |
To book a session or find out more head to https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/resilient-homes-program-central-west.
The RHP is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State Governments under the $100 million Central West Recovery and Resilience Package.
Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:
"We are committed to working with the community to build back better in the Central West and this is an opportunity to do just that.
"There are no simple fixes, but this is an opportunity to ensure we can deliver a Program that will deliver resilient homes unique to the Central West."
Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:
"Community remains at the centre of flood recovery in the Central West, and we are asking for feedback to help finalise the design of this program so that we get it right.
"We want to hear from everyone impacted by the 2022 floods, and I encourage everyone who can, to attend a session and be part of shaping the future of the Central West."
Acting CEO of the Reconstruction Authority Mal Lanyon said:
"We have taken on board the feedback and experience shared already by residents and been working closely with your local council, community leaders and technical experts to develop a draft program for feedback.
"We are excited to be on the ground in the Central West, talking to communities and look forward to their feedback as we get on with the job of delivering this Program."
