The next stage of the region's flood recovery starts this week, with the first assessments of flood-hit properties under way under the Resilient Homes program.
Karen McPaul, NSW Reconstruction Authority Director of Resilient Homes, said assessors would begin walking through homes with people who have applied to the program.
"They'll receive that free home assessment report, which will provide them information in terms of what kinds of resilience measures they may be able to put in place to mitigate the damage in the next flood event," Ms McPaul said.
There have been more than 140 applications for the Resilient Homes program since it opened at the end of October, with more than 60 from Cabonne, more than 50 from Forbes and more than 20 from Parkes.
There are a whole range of measures that can help with future flood resilience including raising a home and lifting power points or air conditioning units.
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The types of floor coverings, doors and more can also be selected to help people get back in their home faster if they do have water in their home in the future.
Reconstruction is also aware more applications have been started, and the team is offering support to those who need it to complete those applications.
Any flood-affected resident who hasn't applied is urged to go online to www.nsw.gov.au/resilienthomesprogram or see the teams at the locations at the end of this story.
Assessors are starting in Eugowra this week but the program is ongoing and Ms McPaul says Reconstruction Authority is here for the long haul.
The program is prioritised based on risk but also other factors.
"What we did hear from community is they actually want us to start with those who are still in the greatest need, for example people who aren't back in their homes,
which is why we're starting in Eugowra," Ms McPaul said.
The team is booking in home assessments for coming weeks and months, expecting to be in Forbes in the new year.
Member for Orange Philip Donato said it was good to see the next stage of the progress kick off.
"It's been over two years now so it's really important that these boots hit the ground in those communities, those streets and those homes as soon as possible," he said.
"There's still nearly 100 pods with people living in those pods, I'm conscious of the fact it's been nearly two years, it's summer time, we need to get some sort of certainty and finality and this is a big step in the process of achieving that."
Mr Donato chairs the central west community leaders forum on the flood recovery across the four shires, and they've already seen $32 million allocated to roads and transport betterment, and $28 million to community assets.
The housing package is the final piece in the $100 million package.
"Most people want to stay in their communities, in their homes, in their streets, and if they can be walked through a process of what needs to be done to lessen the effect potential future floods may have on them that's a good part of the process," Mr Donato said.
He's keenly aware $40million might not cover everything or everyone, but he'd absolutely urge people to get their applications in so governments are aware of the scale of the need in our communities.
"If we need more funding we need to be able to prove what we need it for, demonstrate a case for it, and we can only do that by having the information available," Mr Donato said.
Need more information?
Phone 1800 844 085
Email resilienthomesprogram@reconstruction.nsw.gov.au
Go online to www.nsw.gov.au/resilienthomesprogram
Meet the Resilient Homes team:
Monday, December 16 at the Forbes Shire Council committee room, 2 Court Street Forbes, 10am-12pm and 12:30-4pm.
Thursday, December 19 at the Rose Street Community Centre, 16 Rose Street Parkes, 10am-12pm and 12:30-4pm.
To make an appointment call 1800 844 085.
Community members can visit our Eugowra Office at 45 Broad Street:
Tuesday, December 17
Wednesday, December 18
Friday, December 20.
Drop in or appointments available 9am-4pm
To make an appointment call 1800 844 085.
