As Queenslanders are no strangers to wild weather, the Palaszczuk Government has moved to ensure that 189 low income Queenslanders living in Mackay have been given grants of up to $11,250 to make their homes more cyclone resilient.
Member for Mackay, Julieanne Gilbert said the $20 million Household Resilience Program had enabled families to afford vital upgrades to their homes and save money on insurance premiums.
"Here in Mackay, cyclone damage can be costly, but for some families so can cyclone protection," he said.
"Homeowners here said they would not have been able to afford the necessary upgrades without the Palaszczuk Government's support.
"The benefits of the Household Resilience Program are already being felt across the community, in homes and amongst local business, with more than 95% of homeowners hiring a local Mackay-based contractor to carry out works, with households saving an average of 7.9% on their insurance costs."
"While the frequency of cyclones in Queensland was increasing, these additional protections would provide safety and security for families for the next cyclone season.
"If you're on a tight budget it can be hard to pay for cyclone upgrades and we want to help Queenslanders protect their homes, keep their families safe and protect their investment," she said.
Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said that the Palaszczuk Government had already awarded more than $15 million in grants, with $7 million paid out to contractors since 30 July 2018.
"It's no surprise that families are choosing to use qualified local tradespeople to carry out upgrades as much as possible, who know just how bad the weather can get here in Mackay.
"Whether its roof tethering, doors or windows, the Palaszczuk Government has covered up to 75% of the costs for improvements, so that next storm season, more homes will be protected against the elements," he said.
The Household Resilience Program was introduced after Tropical Cyclone Debbie destroyed homes along the North Queensland coast in 2018.
