Joint media release with Senator Nita Green, Aaron Harper MP and Les Walker MP
Thousands of homeowners in North, Central and Far North Queensland are now better protected from cyclones, through grants from the Miles and Albanese Governments.
Phase 4 of the Household Resilience Program is providing grants of up to $15,000 for owners to undertake improvements on homes built before 1984 within 50km of the coastline between Bundaberg and the Queensland/Northern Territory border.
Grants can be used to install roof upgrades, garage door replacements, upgrading external structures, solid core doors as well as the installation of cyclone shutters or window screens.
In Phase 4, over $2.9 million worth of grants have been committed so far, with work already underway or completed on 200 homes ahead of the next Higher Risk Weather Season.
Townsville residents were quick to apply for the latest round of grants, with 90 local homes already completed or underway through Phase 4, bringing the total number of Townsville homes to benefit from the program to 2,105.
To date, the program has also supported improvements on 913 homes in the Cairns region, 457 in the Mackay region, as well as 348 in Rockhampton region and 690 in the Bundaberg region.
Applications remain open, and locals are encouraged to visit the website and check their eligibility: Household Resilience Program
The program is also delivering cost of living relief to Queenslanders. Homeowners who have undertaken home improvements as part of the program have been able to negotiate with their insurers and have reported average premium savings of 9 per cent.
More information:
The fourth phase of the Household Resilience Program is funded through a $20 million commitment from the Albanese Government's flagship Disaster Ready Fund and builds on over $50 million of Queensland Government investment to date.
Phase 4 currently rolling out in cyclone-prone coastal communities including Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton and Bundaberg.
To date, the program has provided financial assistance to more than 4600 vulnerable Queensland households.
To find out more about the program go to: About the Household Resilience Program
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Emergency Management Murray Watt:
"The Albanese Government was pleased to partner with the Miles Government to help roll out more phases of this very popular program."
"Our Disaster Ready Fund supports projects that ensure disaster-prone communities will be better prepared to cope with future events.
"Importantly, we're helping these homeowners get this work done ahead of the peak season for tropical cyclones to occur, whilst also delivering cost-of-living relief for those who complete the works and negotiate with their insurance providers to reduce their premiums."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Member for Mundingburra Les Walker:
"Queenslanders know how important it is to have a strong home. With the Household Resilience Program the Miles and Albanese Governments are helping Queenslanders to be better prepared for a severe weather event or cyclone."
"Whether used for the replacement of external doors or roofs, or to improve the integrity of garage doors and window protections, the Household Resilience Program provides a co-contribution to eligible homeowners to assist in getting the work done when they need, not after disaster strikes."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper:
"Queenslanders are well versed in dealing with natural disasters particularly those in the state's northern regions but the increasing threat of more extreme weather means we need to do more to build resilience."
"The Household Resilience Program along with the other resilience programs and the Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Fund demonstrates how the Queensland Government along with our federal counterparts are taking real action to build resilience in our communities.
"By building resilience now it will mean savings both financially and emotionally in future disasters.
"The Household Resilience Program benefits homeowners, contractors and businesses in these areas of regional Queensland.
"In previous phases, more than 400 businesses have been engaged to complete works, meaning more jobs and economic benefits are retained in the local communities."
Quotes attributable to Senator Nita Green:
"This program is obviously great for homeowners who benefit from safer homes, and in many cases, cheaper insurance premiums."
"But Phase 4 alone has also injected more than $5 million of works into the Queensland economy, which means the program is fantastic for the broader community too."
