Moving on after floods Properties in renewed suburbs being snapped up by buyers
EIGHTEEN months on from the floods that devastated large parts of Townsville, one of the hardest-hit suburbs is bouncing back with an influx of new residents – and they’re coming from within Townsville.
Fairfield Waters (Idalia) suffered the brunt of the February 2019 monsoonal event, with the prestigious suburb the scene of evacuations, displacements and gutted homes.
Just last year it was a hive of activity with tradies and builders during the day, but resembled an eerie ghost town filled with empty homes each night.
About 1092 homes in Idalia sustained some form of flood damage, according to Queensland Fire and Emergency Services data.
Residents of seven years Paul and Karen Haughton recently moved within the suburb from their home, which didn’t flood, to their new home closer to the river, that did.
Mr Haughton said natural disasters were a part of life in North Queensland and they couldn’t find reason to leave the picturesque suburb.
“It was bad, but from our street where we used to live, we knew it was a strong community; there were friendly, good people and they all said ‘we’re coming back, back’,” he said.
“I accept the rains and everything else, it’s a one-off we’re coming event the same as a cyclone and even if it happens again in 10 years, everyone will have forgotten about it by then, a lot of people have forgotten now.
“The suburb has come back to exactly where it was before, and if not, better.”
The property market is also reflecting that confidence, with real estate agents saying the suburb’s popularity has this year returned to what it was before the monsoonal event.
Explore Property Townsville agent Annette Rowlings said the 2019 floods hadn’t put buyers off.
She has recently sold – to Townsville locals – four properties over $500,000 and one over $600,000 after attracting multiple offers.
“People understand it was a once-in-a-lifetime event,” she said of the floods.
“They forget, just like after any cyclone; there’s devastation but you clean it up and you move on with your life,” Ms Rowlings said.
“(The area has) always been popular due to its location being close to the city … The Strand is only seven or eight minutes away.”
PAUL HAUGHTON