Four home owners in Moree will be safe from the impact of flooding thanks to a $313,480 NSW government Floodplain Management Program Voluntary House Raising Scheme funding.
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Member for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall was joined by Moree Plains Shire Council mayor Katrina Humphries and general manager Lester Rodgers to announce the funding in Moree on Monday.
“I’m delighted to announce that Moree Plains Shire Council has been successful in applying for $313,480 in funding to help flood-proof residences in Moree,” Mr Marshall said.
“This funding is awarded to local councils who have identified areas, property or houses that require urgent works to manage the impact of flooding. Moree Plains Shire Council will join forces with local landowners to voluntarily undertake works to raise the houses above the average flood water mark.
“Homeowners engage a builder and contribute to some of the works, with Moree Plains Shire Council securing the funding on the homeowners behalf.
“This is the third round of the funding to be rolled out in Moree which is making many homes in north Moree safer.”
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Mr Marshall said this scheme has been going for a number of years, since the 2011 and 2012 major floods in Moree.
The home owner makes a contribution of a third of the cost to raise their house, while the state and federal governments share the remaining cost and council administers the program.
“Probably about half a dozen people in Moree have already taken advantage of that scheme and this extra top-up funding will allow that program to continue and any other locals that want to raise their homes out of the dangers of flood waters can do so and receive funding through this program,” Mr Marshall said.
To be eligible for the funding, home owners must have a residential property located within the designated flood area mapped by council. Homes may also need to assessed to ensure they’re structurally able to be lifted.
Mr Marshall encouraged anyone interested to contact Moree Plains Shire Council for an application form and to talk to staff about the process.
Mayor Katrina Humphries said works would commence once the consultation process with homeowners had been completed.
Works on the first home are expected to kick off in six weeks, with all homes in the current round raised by July 2019.
Councils interested in learning more about NSW Floodplain Management Grants can visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/coasts/Floodgrants.htm
