Australia's $880M Flood Recovery: Wins & Struggles

0:00From the Daily News Now Network, this is Sydney News Today. Australia's biggest disaster recovery effort is wrapping up this month. The $880 million resilient homes program launched after the 2022 floods hit northern New South Wales hard. More than 2,000 homes became unlivable, prompting the government to step in with buybacks and upgrades. The program bought back $775 homes for $508 million, with another $179 still in. Process. It also spent nearly $20 million to lift and retrofit 600 houses above flood levels. Applications for those retrofits closed March 31st. Many residents feel frustrated and left behind. People like Fay Ross applied multiple times, but got nowhere, calling the process unfair and exhausting. Neighborhoods now look patchy with empty lots next to standing homes, sparking fights between families and tearing communities apart. Local leaders point to some wins, though.

1:01Liz Moore's recovery minister says the changes helped during cyclone Alfred last year, keeping 660 households out of harm's way. Officials borrowed ideas from past floods, but admit it was a tough learning curve with no playbook ready. Looking ahead, Council's plan to reuse the cleared land for industry or business to rebuild stronger. Community voices hope their struggles serve as lessons for future disasters, turning the northern rivers into a model for adaptation. This episode is brought to you in partnership with our sponsor. Your pillow just got smarter. It plays your podcasts and music, SOLI, solelypillow.com.