Buy back of houses in flood risk zones

ABOVE: One the houses in the Buy Back scheme in Kyogle LGA. Photo: Contributed

Susanna Freymark

Houses identified as being at risk in the Kyogle Flood Study are purchased at market value in a voluntary House Buy Back Scheme.

Kyogle Council contacts all identified property owners each year and asks them if they would be interested in selling their properties. Only identified properties are eligible for the grant.

Council’s Assets and Infrastructure Services director Mr Tony Lickiss said council had purchased five properties so far and were currently purchasing two more.

“Council recently completed the buy back of two properties in Walters St and will soon be commencing the purchase of two more houses in Norton St,” Mr Lickiss said.

“We have also purchased a number of vacant lots on the flats.”

The council plans to buy back more homes this year.

“It’s dependent on the funding we receive and the price people want to sell their houses for – we buy as many houses as possible with the available funding,” Mr Lickiss said.

Lismore City Council has been operating the voluntary Buy Back Scheme since 1954.

“It is believed to be the longest running buy back program in the state,” Mr Lickiss said.

Funding for the Buy Back scheme is through the NSW Department of Planning Industry and Environment under its Floodplain Management Program.