The Queensland government has announced a new grants program aimed at helping homeowners in North and Far North Queensland strengthen their homes against future flood events.
The Stronger Homes Grant, jointly funded by the federal and state governments, will provide up to $10,000 per eligible household for resilience upgrades following the recent flooding.
The initiative comes after an extreme weather event that began on Jan. 29 and lasted nearly two weeks, resulting in over 7,000 insurance claims – more than 5,400 of which were for residential property damage.
The grants will assist homeowners in affected communities such as Ingham, Cardwell, Mission Beach, Tully, and Innisfail.
Homeowners can use the funding for upgrades that improve flood resistance, such as:
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the program aimed to reduce the financial and emotional toll of repeated flood events by supporting long-term solutions.
“Every time we rebuild smarter, we save lives, we protect livelihoods, and we reduce the cost of recovery,” he said. “By building stronger, flood-resilient homes, we can help protect families and communities from the devastating impacts of repeated flooding.”
The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) and several insurers have expressed support for the program, highlighting its potential to reduce flood risks and lower insurance costs in the long term.
ICA deputy CEO Kylie Macfarlane said the initiative aligns with the industry’s long-standing calls for proactive disaster mitigation.
“Reducing flood risk through programs like these not only better protects lives and property, but is the only sustainable way to put downward pressure on premiums which are being impacted by worsening extreme weather, inflation, the increasing value of our assets, and the cost of reinsurance,” she said.
Suncorp CEO of consumer insurance Lisa Harrison noted that many homes suffer extensive damage to internal systems during floods, making resilience measures crucial.
“Queenslanders are known for their resilience, and Suncorp will be here, working with our customers, government, and the community, to build back better,” she said.
RACQ general manager of advocacy Joshua Cooney said the program reflects a collaborative effort between government and industry to build more resilient communities.
“The Resilient Homes Fund, introduced after the 2022 floods, is a great example of what can be achieved when all levels of government and industry work together to lessen the impact of future disasters,” he said.
The announcement coincides with the ICA’s push for greater federal investment in disaster resilience, calling for a $30.15 billion national flood mitigation fund over the next decade.
“In a cost-of-living crisis, it is important that all our efforts go into measures which will bring downward pressure on premiums, and this can only be achieved through a strong partnership between insurers and governments,” said ICA CEO Andrew Hall.
IAG managing director and CEO Nick Hawkins aired the same thoughts, saying ongoing investment in resilience programs is essential.
“The grants will provide homeowners with further financial support to make their homes safer and more resilient, which will benefit communities across the region,” he said.
Insurers and the ICA have committed to working with the Queensland government on implementing the grants, with the goal of improving long-term flood resilience in high-risk regions.
