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ABC News
ABC News
National

61 more flood-impacted Brisbane homes to be acquired by the government

Another 61 Brisbane homes have been identified for acquisition as part of the Voluntary Home Buyback Program (VHBP).

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced the details of the scheme's second round in a council meeting, which was delayed by 90 minutes due to the Melbourne Cup, on Tuesday afternoon.

He said 44 of the properties were in Rocklea, one of the hardest hit areas of the city in the February flood.

Five homes are in Auchenflower, three are in Oxley, and there are two each in Fairfield, Sherwood and Herston, as well as one each in Archerfield and Windsor.

In late August, Cr Schrinner said the council had received $50 million from the Queensland government to carry out the property resumptions.

Sixteen homes were identified in the first round.

Cr Schrinner said the council was working with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) as part of the VHBP.

He said the "significant" number of homes to be resumed in Rocklea would allow that tract of land to be "turned into parkland".

"Sixty-one properties is a good outcome — obviously we'd like to see more but we'll get working on this as quickly as possible," Cr Schrinner said.

"We will let the owner know of the arrangement, because there has to be an agreement reached — they've put their name on the list, but they may have changed their mind."

Cr Schrinner previously warned that the buyback program was not "some kind of silver bullet" and that there were "many people who were flooded who don't want us to buy back their home".

Affected home owners can find out more information about registering for the program and the funding application process by visiting the Resilient Homes Fund website or calling 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

The QRA said more than $33m in financial assistance had been provided to Queenslanders impacted by the 2021-22 flooding and severe weather, benefitting more than 106,400 people.

More than 43,000 calls were made to the Community Recovery Hotline and more than 25,000 instances of psychological first aid provided.

If anyone is in need of support they can contact the Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349.

If anyone is in need of housing assistance, they should contact their local Housing Service Centre or 13 QGOV.

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