RACQ welcomes resilience building measures

Media Release

The Queensland Government has announced a more than $700 million Resilient Residential Recovery Package that will provide Queenslanders whose homes have been flood damaged with a range of options that may include retrofitting, house raising or voluntary buy-back.

Chief Executive Officer David Carter said RACQ has long advocated for greater investment to be made in natural disaster mitigation initiatives and the Queensland Government should be commended for this bold and forward-looking program that will help avoid the vicious cycle of ‘repair, rebuild and repeat’.

“Many flood-affected homes remain in high-risk areas and any measure that improves their resilience and enables them to better withstand the next major weather event should be supported,” Mr Carter said.

“Additionally, we encourage governments to work together and include resilience standards in the building code so when the next flooding event occurs, impacted homes will automatically be built back better, in line with standards set for cyclones and bushfires.”

RACQ has moved quickly to bring in additional resources to respond to the more than 12,000 claims. 

“Our assessment and claims teams will work with the State Government to support this program,” Mr Carter said. 

“Our assessors fully understand how Queensland homes have been designed and built and many have also worked in the aftermath of recent cyclone and flood events that have impacted our State. That experience will help our members make the most of this form of assistance.

“RACQ will continue to support the Insurance Council of Australia’s call for ongoing multi-year investment in disaster mitigation measures to better protect households and communities from the increasing impact of climate change.”

RACQ would also support the State Government in re-introducing the cyclone resilience program in north Queensland that was discontinued due to high demand.