Queensland's flood support scheme has expanded.

The scheme will now include an additional 300 residences, bringing the total number of potential repatriations to 800 houses. 

The state- and federally-funded Resilient Homes Fund, valued at $741 million, was implemented in response to the devastating flooding disaster that struck south-east Queensland in 2022. 

The fund consists of three programs aimed at retrofitting, raising, or buying back homes affected by the floods.

Originally, the government estimated that the fund would assist 500 homes, but the demand has surpassed initial expectations. 

Deputy Premier Steven Miles acknowledged this, stating; “We've been able to more accurately anticipate what the best solution for those properties are”. 

In a recent announcement, the government revealed that an additional 300 homes across south-east Queensland will be repatriated using funds allocated for raising and retrofitting houses. 

These homes will be evaluated from the existing pool of applications, as the buy-back scheme applications have already closed.

Out of the original 500 homes, 491 have been assessed for buy-back. The government has made 473 offers, with 370 being accepted. Currently, 238 settlements have been finalised, while 48 houses have already been demolished.

The Resilient Homes Fund is a joint effort between the state and federal governments. 

Federal Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt, praised the collaboration, saying; “By making these sorts of investments with state governments, we can protect home owners and also protect taxpayers from those future costs”.

The Queensland opposition leader, David Crisafulli, welcomed the expansion of the program but called for its extension to cover the entire state.

Applications for home retrofitting and raising are still open and will close at the end of July.