Funds to protect from cyclones

The Household Resilience Program, now in it’s fourth phase has opened up the door for more homeowners residing in cyclone-prone coastlines to apply for upgrades to ensure their houses can withstand unpredictable weather.

It’s funded through a $20m commitment from the Albanese government’s flagship Disaster Ready Fund and builds on more than $50m of Queensland government investment.

The program so far has provided financial assistance to more than 4400 Queensland households to help ensure homes built before 1984 are in stronger condition and able to withstand severe weather.

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said the program was significant as Townsville was no stranger to serious weather events.

“I know previous rounds (of funding) have been well taken up which is why this extra funding is important,” he said.

“This is another way we’re helping people with cost of living along with supporting jobs and businesses in Townsville.”

The program’s initial funding phases provided up to $11,250 to help cover 75 per cent of the costs of approved works such as roof upgrades, garage door replacements, upgrading external structures, solid core doors and cyclone shutters or window screens.

Queensland Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon emphasised the major disasters that have occurred throughout the state sharing 100 significant weather events have taken place since 2011.

“The Household Resilience Program demonstrates how the Miles government is taking real action to help Queenslanders make their homes more resilient to those severe weather events,” she said.