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Flood victims whose homes were swallowed in 2011, 2013 and 2022 say the government has “low-balled” them as part of its buy back scheme.
Most of the 42 homes at the Mihi Grove townhouse complex in the Ipswich suburb of Brassall have been sitting empty after repeated flooding.
Last year the Queensland government gave owners a lifeline, offering to buy back the properties so residents could relocate.
However, some say they have been misled and offered less than what their properties are worth.
They claim at a meeting in June a representative of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority, which is administering the program, told them to expect “very generous” offers.
Resident Odette Summers said she and her neighbours were told to expect between $250,000 and $300,000.
“And we were all really, really happy because that’s what we thought was going to happen.”
But two weeks ago the offers changed, Summers said, and no one was offered more than $250,000.
“We’ve been low-balled by the government,” she said.
“Some people have been offered the amount they paid in 2010, which is closer to the 200,000 mark, so it’s an insult.”
The housing crisis has left many convinced they won’t be able to get another property.
“To get back into the market I’m looking at least $140,000 difference,” resident Russel Schloss said.
Shadow Housing Minister Tim Mander accused the government of short-changing those affected.
“You don’t get any lower than ripping off flood victims and that’s exactly what this is.”
Homeowners have 30 days from when they received their offer to appeal it.
“It’s entirely up to residents if they’re unhappy with that offer to be able to get their own evaluation and take it back to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority,” Disaster Recovery Minister Nikki Boyd said.
The authority would then enter negotiations but there are no guarantees people would get a higher offer or a resolution.
