2022-05-17
Media releasE
Homeowners should be able to access a $20,000 grant to protect their homes from the impacts of the climate crisis, Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens Senator Larissa Waters said today, unveiling the party’s $7.8bn plan to ensure property is resilient in the face of increasing floods and cyclones.
Senator Waters will launch the policy in the flood-impacted electorate of Ryan, which the Greens hope to win off the Liberals, with Elizabeth Watson-Brown, Greens candidate and local architect.
With the climate crisis making flooding more severe, and increasing the frequency of severe cyclones, the Greens say that urgent action is required to make sure that existing homes are liveable and resilient to climate damage, especially in Queensland.
The policy complements the Greens plan to build a million homes, all of which will be built to deal with the climate crisis, and to stop the 114 new coal and gas projects in the development pipeline with Liberal and Labor support.
Quotes attributable to Greens Senator for Queensland, Larissa Waters:
“The climate crisis is here today, and it’s destroying homes and livelihoods.
“Yet, while people in Brisbane are still getting their lives back on track after recent flooding, the Liberals and Labor are still planning on opening up 114 new coal and gas mines.
“Instead of giving fossil fuel corporations a handout with public money, we should be providing support for families to flood-proof their homes to better deal with the climate crisis.
“These $20,000 grants will help people raise or batten their houses, giving them further height above encroaching floodwaters. We shouldn’t have to be retreating from climate change, but while the Liberal and Labor parties continue to support coal and gas, this is tragically necessary.
“People shouldn’t be starting every summer wondering if our homes will survive. This isn’t sustainable and it isn’t fair, and the Greens will take action to make sure that people in Brisbane and other areas prone to extreme weather events are protected from the climate crisis.”
Quotes attributable to Greens candidate for Ryan, Elizabeth Watson-Brown:
“I have witnessed three disastrous floods in Ryan – in 1974, 2011 and 2022 – and on each occasion our community was caught underprepared.
“As an architect I see too many homes built for maximum profit and to minimum standards. This cost-cutting by developers has left people at risk of losing their lives and livelihoods when flood waters rise.
“A raised home is called a Queenslander for a reason - they’re a vital part of keeping safe in flood-prone areas. When floods hit, every centimetre of height could be the difference between saving your family home and losing everything you own.
“People in Brisbane who’ve just been devastated by this summer’s floods are watching Liberal and Labor back in more coal and gas, and wondering how they can keep their family safe from climate change. We need action.
“If I’m elected to represent Ryan on May 21, I’ll be working round the clock to make sure that we are dealing with the causes of climate change, and working on the symptoms too.
“These one-off grants will save people’s homes, lower insurance costs, and make sure that Brisbane remains liveable while we tackle the climate crisis. It’s a no-brainer.”