Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding has welcomed the demolition of Mihi Grove, a flood-hit 42-unit complex in Brassall purchased as part of the Queensland and Australian Government’s Resilient Homes Fund Voluntary Home Buy-Back Program.
Mihi Grove, initially deemed ineligible for the program, was the subject of a protracted advocacy campaign from council and the community pushing for the buy-back of the unit complex and a fair offer for its owners.
“This demolition marks the end of a four-year saga for the former owners of Mihi Grove, which started with the 2022 floods and led to a long and emotional battle to see this site included in the Resilient Homes Fund Voluntary Home Buy-Back Program,” said Mayor Harding.
“While we were successful in advocating for the unit complex’s place in the program, what followed was a tough negotiation process with the previous State Government which left many owners feeling shortchanged on the offers received for their units.
“In the end, 40 units in the Mihi Grove complex in Brassall were purchased under the Voluntary Home Buy-Back Program, and two units were compulsorily acquired. The entire complex is now owned by council,” Mayor Harding said.
“I am sure it must be a bittersweet moment for those former Mihi Grove owners to see their homes of many years being demolished, but it’s a relief to see this lengthy chapter is now coming to an end.”
Former Mihi Grove owner and resident Odette Summers said the demolition of Mihi Grove brought up mixed emotions, as the unit complex was once a tight knit community.
“While Mihi Grove had been home for many of us for years, it was at high risk for flooding during heavy rainfall. During the 2011 and 2022 floods, the site was completely inundated.
“For this reason, many owners felt they simply could not sell and move on after the 2022 floods. The right thing to do was to apply for the unit complex to be part of the Resilient Homes Fund Voluntary Home Buy-Back Program.
“The four-year battle we went through to get to this point was extremely emotional and stressful for many of the owners, so hopefully this demolition provides some closure for all involved.
“We fought hard for a fair hearing and offer for Mihi Grove owners. While we had hoped for a better outcome in the end, I take some comfort in knowing that no family will have to experience flooding at Mihi Grove again,” said Ms Summers.
Division Four Councillor Jim Madden said it was a welcome step for demolition to begin.
“It has been a long road for the former Mihi Grove owners and residents, but I’m pleased that council’s contractors have begun work on site,” Cr Madden said.
“The demolition process is expected to take about six months, including land rehabilitation. Once the demolition process is complete, the site will be rezoned at a future council meeting for greenspace.”
Division Four Councillor David Martin said council was grateful to the Queensland Reconstruction Authority for administering the Voluntary Home Buy-Back Program.
“This important program allowed us to buy back these units and ensure no family ever has their homes flooded again at Mihi Grove,” Cr Martin said.
“The Voluntary Home Buy-Back Program has allowed council to buy back more than 200 homes citywide, creating more than 500,000 square metres of new greenspace in 16 suburbs.”
The Resilient Homes Fund Voluntary Home Buy-Back Program was a joint Queensland and Australian Government initiative following the 2022 flood events, allowing councils to buy back homes built within flood zones.
