Ken O'Dowd (Flynn, National Party) Share this | Hansard source

Last weekend I toured the West Bundaberg-Wallaville area with Councillor Wayne Honor and spoke to many flood victims. Many of these people were still in a state of shock, thankful to be alive, unsure and concerned about how to refinance their homes and properties, and asking themselves whether they should relocate and start again, what their future is and what part of their assets are covered by insurance. People are asking themselves about the wisdom of rebuilding on the existing site with the threat hanging over their heads of a similar disaster occurring in the future. This is a very valid point. I believe there is a growing consensus that all levels of government should look very closely into the relocation of affected people to higher ground. At the very least, there needs to be a greater focus on flood mitigation strategies, as no government or insurance company can continue to finance the cost of rebuilding time and time again.

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