Federal Member for Wright Scott Buchholz MP has backed an extension of the Voluntary Home Buy-Back Program for The Shelf Road residents whose houses are slipping away.
“I understand the concerns of residents on The Shelf Road and the significant distress caused by land instability and safety risks in the area,” Mr Buchholz said.
“I strongly encourage Scenic Rim Regional Council and our local State Member, Jon Krause MP, to work together to raise this matter formally with the Queensland Government. That is the appropriate first step before any request can be made to the Commonwealth.”
He said while the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) buy-back scheme has so far been targeted towards homes affected by flooding he supported in principle expanding it to assist households facing serious geotechnical or natural hazard risks, provided it meets the necessary criteria.
Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner stated he has written to the state and federal governments requesting reinstated funding for Brisbane following Cyclone Alfred.
The Resilient Homes Fund’s Voluntary Buy-Back program was only established for homes severely impacted by flooding in 2022 or at high risk of future flooding.
A number of properties on The Shelf Road have continued to slip and crack significantly since Cyclone Alfred.
Leon and Olga Radunz, whose house needs to be demolished and is uninsurable, said they had approached Scenic Rim Regional Council several times requesting voluntary buy-backs but the answer was a “resounding no”.
“We then approached the Queensland Reconstruction Authority directly on several occasions requesting funding akin to the flood buy-backs in other authority areas. Its officers said go back to the Council as that body must initiate the request for funding from the Queensland Government, which obtains special purpose grants from the Federal Government,” Leon explained.
“A funded buy-back scheme would be wonderful, both from the point of view of a financial payment and also from not having to maintain the property forever.”
“I can understand the council’s reluctance to buy back properties as it must maintain them as properties can’t be let to become overgrown and weed-infested. Lismore Council has addressed that requirement.”
Council said they have advised affected residents of funding options, however, Leon and Olga and David and Khim said they had had no correspondence from the Council in relation to funding.
Leon said while they live in the house they will continue to pay rates, but once they move, they will not be paying rates on two properties.
He said he had written to Councillor Amanda Hay asking what the outcome would be if they decided not to continue to pay rates, but did not get a response.
“If we can’t sell this property for the land value, given that the house is unrepairable and needs to be demolished, at a later date we will still be the owners so theoretically must continue to maintain the property forever it would seem,” Leon said.
In a letter to locals who have been advocating for David and Khim, Council CEO David Keenan said the Council had previously followed up a number of areas of funding and it was unlikely funding would be available through them.
“The most likely source of funding would have been through the QRA Resilient Homes Fund; however, Council has previously made an application under this funding stream and has not been successful,” he said.
He said council did not have any cash reserves that could be allocated.
“Council would struggle to undertake compulsory acquisition, especially to properly define the outcome and the benefit to the community,” David said.
“Perhaps the best option is to continue to advocate to the QRA for funding from the Resilient Homes Fund.”
However, when Council was asked if they would be advocating for the residents at the QRA meeting in early July, a spokesperson didn’t respond specifically in relation to The Shelf Road residents, but said they would discuss funding opportunities following Ex Tropical Cyclone Alfred and the previous weather event.
Mayor Tom Sharp said he was meeting with Jon Krause to discuss supporting all Tamborine Mountain locals.
“I want to investigate all avenues to assist our people in general,” he said.
Minister for Local Government and Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) approved funding of $6.2 million under Disaster Funding Recovery Arrangements (DRFA) for Scenic Rim Regional Council to undertake restoration works to repair The Shelf Road.
“A further $140,000 was approved to repair the Shelf Road Reserve gabion landslip, which was completed in October 2024,” Ms Leahy said.
A contractor has now been commissioned to build the new road down to The Shelf Road at an estimated cost of $11-12 million with construction due to start mid-year.
