Voluntary House Raising Scheme

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The Voluntary House Raising Scheme (VHRS) is a NSW Government incentive that is delivered under the Floodplain Management Program. It is a flood risk management tool that involves raising a residential property above the minimum design flood level or relocating a home within its current lot to higher ground, to upgrade existing dwellings to be more resilient to the impacts of flooding.

The VHRS requires Council's investment in the preparation of scoping studies to define the plan extents and parameters, as well as an amendment to Council’s existing Flood Risk Management Studies to include VHRS as an endorsed flood mitigation measure.

Council does not financially contribute to the funds, however, we would act as a facilitator and mediator between the State Government and homeowners to ensure smooth communication and co-ordination throughout the process. For Council to participate in the VHRS, it requires staff time and resources to facilitate the delivery of the program.

If implemented in the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area (LGA), the NSW Government's Floodplain Management Program provides grant funding set at a ratio of 2:1, meaning two-thirds of the eligible costs to raise a home would be funded via the government grant, with the onus on the homeowner to fund the remaining one-third of the cost and for the cost of any additional works that are not covered within the scope of the grant.

Additionally, the allocation of funds is via a state-wide pool, rather than a regional or local government area allocation. This means that there is no certainty regarding funding allocation, with the State Government determining priorities. The likelihood of receiving funding will also fluctuate depending on the number of applications submitted statewide via other Council’s that are participating in the scheme. It is possible that applicants may have to wait multiple grant cycles and many years before receiving funds.

The Guidelines for the VHRS are issued by the NSW Government.

Background

At present Council is not participating in the VHRS as is not currently listed as a priority flood mitigation measure in the Hastings River Flood Risk Management Plan.

The commencement of a VHRS was previously investigated in 2006 via scoping study in the Camden Haven catchment, at which time, two-thirds of respondents were against the implementation of a VHRS.

Why is Council considering the VHRS?

Council is responsible for local planning and land management within the LGA, including the management of flood prone land and the associated risks to the community. The Hastings River and Camden Haven River catchments are key river systems within the Port Macquarie-Hastings LGA, with a dense population centred within/around them.

Council recognises that a number of homes within our flood plains were built before accurate flood information was available, and as such rebuilding or mitigating against future floods has been difficult due to recurrent weather events, building costs/processes and development controls.

This consultation is aimed at helping stakeholders understand the VHRS and to gauge the degree of support for Council pursuing the scheme via its inclusion in Council's future Flood Plain Management Plans and Operational Plans.

What properties would be eligible for house raising?

The VHRS has strict eligibility criteria defined within the Guidelines for the VHRS and funds are allocated in three-year funding rounds in priority order.

The VHRS is only available for specific properties that are identified through the Flood Risk Management Planning (FRMP) process.

For homes to be considered eligible, Council must be participating in the scheme and have the capacity to facilitate the administrative requirements of each application.

Flood-related projects and documents

  • Guidelines for the VHRS
  • VHRS Fact Sheet
  • PMHC Flood Policy - defines specific flood related development controls for properties within the Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) extent, and includes requirements such as minimum floor levels, site-specific flood risk assessments, flood impact assessments, evacuation requirements and consideration of flood impact on other properties. It aims to reduce the impact of flooding and flood liability on individual owners and occupiers as well as minimising public and private losses. Note: This policy is currently under review and will be placed on public exhibition in coming months.
  • Hastings River Flood Extension Study (2025) on public exhibition between 28 February - 11 April 2025
  • Camden Haven River and Lakes System Flood Study Update (2025) - expected to go on public exhibition in May 2025, subject to study completion deadline
  • Floodplain management Port Macquarie Hastings Council - view outputs of existing adopted flood studies

Have your say

Community members are invited to review the VHRS information online and provide feedback by

Submission close 9am on Thursday 15 May 2025.

The Voluntary House Raising Scheme (VHRS) is a NSW Government incentive that is delivered under the Floodplain Management Program. It is a flood risk management tool that involves raising a residential property above the minimum design flood level or relocating a home within its current lot to higher ground, to upgrade existing dwellings to be more resilient to the impacts of flooding.

The VHRS requires Council's investment in the preparation of scoping studies to define the plan extents and parameters, as well as an amendment to Council’s existing Flood Risk Management Studies to include VHRS as an endorsed flood mitigation measure.

Council does not financially contribute to the funds, however, we would act as a facilitator and mediator between the State Government and homeowners to ensure smooth communication and co-ordination throughout the process. For Council to participate in the VHRS, it requires staff time and resources to facilitate the delivery of the program.

If implemented in the Port Macquarie-Hastings local government area (LGA), the NSW Government's Floodplain Management Program provides grant funding set at a ratio of 2:1, meaning two-thirds of the eligible costs to raise a home would be funded via the government grant, with the onus on the homeowner to fund the remaining one-third of the cost and for the cost of any additional works that are not covered within the scope of the grant.

Additionally, the allocation of funds is via a state-wide pool, rather than a regional or local government area allocation. This means that there is no certainty regarding funding allocation, with the State Government determining priorities. The likelihood of receiving funding will also fluctuate depending on the number of applications submitted statewide via other Council’s that are participating in the scheme. It is possible that applicants may have to wait multiple grant cycles and many years before receiving funds.

The Guidelines for the VHRS are issued by the NSW Government.

Background

At present Council is not participating in the VHRS as is not currently listed as a priority flood mitigation measure in the Hastings River Flood Risk Management Plan.

The commencement of a VHRS was previously investigated in 2006 via scoping study in the Camden Haven catchment, at which time, two-thirds of respondents were against the implementation of a VHRS.

Why is Council considering the VHRS?

Council is responsible for local planning and land management within the LGA, including the management of flood prone land and the associated risks to the community. The Hastings River and Camden Haven River catchments are key river systems within the Port Macquarie-Hastings LGA, with a dense population centred within/around them.

Council recognises that a number of homes within our flood plains were built before accurate flood information was available, and as such rebuilding or mitigating against future floods has been difficult due to recurrent weather events, building costs/processes and development controls.

This consultation is aimed at helping stakeholders understand the VHRS and to gauge the degree of support for Council pursuing the scheme via its inclusion in Council's future Flood Plain Management Plans and Operational Plans.

What properties would be eligible for house raising?

The VHRS has strict eligibility criteria defined within the Guidelines for the VHRS and funds are allocated in three-year funding rounds in priority order.

The VHRS is only available for specific properties that are identified through the Flood Risk Management Planning (FRMP) process.

For homes to be considered eligible, Council must be participating in the scheme and have the capacity to facilitate the administrative requirements of each application.

Flood-related projects and documents

  • Guidelines for the VHRS
  • VHRS Fact Sheet
  • PMHC Flood Policy - defines specific flood related development controls for properties within the Probable Maximum Flood (PMF) extent, and includes requirements such as minimum floor levels, site-specific flood risk assessments, flood impact assessments, evacuation requirements and consideration of flood impact on other properties. It aims to reduce the impact of flooding and flood liability on individual owners and occupiers as well as minimising public and private losses. Note: This policy is currently under review and will be placed on public exhibition in coming months.
  • Hastings River Flood Extension Study (2025) on public exhibition between 28 February - 11 April 2025
  • Camden Haven River and Lakes System Flood Study Update (2025) - expected to go on public exhibition in May 2025, subject to study completion deadline
  • Floodplain management Port Macquarie Hastings Council - view outputs of existing adopted flood studies

Have your say

Community members are invited to review the VHRS information online and provide feedback by

Submission close 9am on Thursday 15 May 2025.

Page last updated: 10 Mar 2025, 10:53 AM