Community consultation underway to deliver $40 million housing program unique to the Central West

23 July 2024

Flood-impacted residents of the Central West will hear about a range of resilience measures such as home buybacks, raising, retrofits, rebuilds and relocations in the first in a series of information sessions on the $40 million Resilient Homes Program (RHP) this week.

The RHP aims to build stronger, safer communities with measures that help households most at risk from future floods by increasing the resilience of their home or removing them from harm’s way.

Forbes is the first stop with three days of drop-in sessions starting today with a further 13 sessions to be held across Cabonne, Lachlan and Parkes Local Government Areas.

Eligible residents impacted by the 2022 floods will be offered free home assessments as part of the RHP. Community members will also be able to have a direct say in the resilient measures to be delivered as well as eligibility requirements, ensuring the Program is unique to the Central West.

Proposed measures include grants for a range of resilience measures, such as raising and retrofitting, home rebuilds and home relocations and a voluntary scheme to buy back properties in the highest flood risk zones.

Residents can attend any session across the Central West and are encouraged to book early for a time that suits them to get an opportunity to provide feedback directly to the RA team.

Sessions are being held in Forbes, Condobolin, Lake Cargelligo, Parkes, Trundle, Eugowra, Molong, Cudal and Canowindra.

Location

Date

Times

Venue

 

Format

Forbes

Tuesday 23 July

Wednesday 24 July

Thursday 25 July

10am to 7pm

Forbes Town Hall

Town Hall Lane, Forbes

Booked sessions and drop-in

Condobolin

Tuesday 30 July

9.30am to 5pm

Council Chambers

58-64 Molong Street Condobolin

Drop-in only

Lake Cargelligo

Tuesday 30 July

10am to 3pm

Lachlan Shire Council building

35a Foster Street

Lake Cargelligo

Drop-in sessions only

Parkes

Wednesday 31 July

Thursday 1 August

10am to 6pm

Parkes Services Club

9-17 Short Street, Parkes

Drop-in only

Trundle

Wednesday 31 July

10am to 2pm

Trundle Services and Citizens Club, Forbes Street Trundle

Drop-in only

Eugowra

Tuesday 6 August

Wednesday 7 August

Thursday 8 August

10am to 7pm

10am to 7pm

9am to 4pm

Eugowra Showground

63 Oberon Street Eugowra

Booked sessions and drop-in

Molong

Tuesday 6 August

10am to 3pm

Council Chambers

99-101 Bank Street, Molong

Booked sessions

Cudal

Wednesday 7 August

10am to 3pm

Council Facility

16 Main Street, Cudal

Booked sessions

Canowindra

Thursday 8 August

10am to 3pm

CWA Hall

14 Blatchford Street

Canowindra

Booked sessions

To book a session or find out more head to https://www.haveyoursay.nsw.gov.au/resilient-homes-program-central-west.

The RHP is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State Governments under the $100 million Central West Recovery and Resilience Package.

Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Paul Scully said:

“We are committed to working with the community to build back better in the Central West and this is an opportunity to do just that.

“There are no simple fixes, but this is an opportunity to ensure we can deliver a Program that will deliver resilient homes unique to the Central West.”

Minister for Emergency Services Jihad Dib said:

“Community remains at the centre of flood recovery in the Central West, and we are asking for feedback to help finalise the design of this program so that we get it right.

“We want to hear from everyone impacted by the 2022 floods, and I encourage everyone who can, to attend a session and be part of shaping the future of the Central West.”

Acting CEO of the Reconstruction Authority Mal Lanyon said:

“We have taken on board the feedback and experience shared already by residents and been working closely with your local council, community leaders and technical experts to develop a draft program for feedback.

“We are excited to be on the ground in the Central West, talking to communities and look forward to their feedback as we get on with the job of delivering this Program.“