Community to have say on scheme to raise homes above flood levels

28 April 2020

Council asks eligible homeowners to register their interest in scheme

Owners of homes in the Tweed prone to frequent flooding can register their interest in applying for funds to help them raise those homes above flood levels.

At its April meeting Council resolved to place the draft Tweed Voluntary House Raising (VHR) Scheme on exhibition, seeking both comments from the public and expressions of interest from eligible homeowners to join the scheme.

Comments close at 4pm on Wednesday 10 June 2020.

The scheme is aimed at reducing the flood damage to houses by raising the habitable floor level of individual buildings. VHR schemes are recommended in both the Tweed Valley and Tweed Coastal Creeks floodplain risk management plans.

The March 2017 flood further highlighted the need for a VHR scheme, with many houses experiencing ‘near misses’ and a number over-floor flooding and subsequent damage.

Raising flood-prone houses will benefit Tweed homeowners by reducing:

• flood damage to both building and contents

• personal loss, stress and post-flood trauma

• frequency of household disruption, and

• clean-up after floods.

Under the draft scheme, the NSW Government’s Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) will provide two-thirds of the eligible cost of raising a house with the homeowner providing the remainder. Council will manage and administer the scheme.

Council holds a confidential list of properties eligible for funding under the scheme. It has written to all homeowners on that list inviting them to register their interest in applying for funds.

The funds available through the State Government each year are limited and priority will be given to those properties most at risk.

To have your say or register your interest in the scheme, visit yoursaytweed.com.au/tweedvhr

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Caption: The Tweed Voluntary House Raising (VHR) Scheme is open for comment from the public and expressions of interest from eligible homeowners.

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