THE demolition of the flood-affected Mihi Grove unit complex in Brassall marks the end of a long and emotional chapter for dozens of Ipswich residents, with the site now set to be transformed into greenspace.
Mayor Teresa Harding said the removal of the 42-unit complex, purchased under the Resilient Homes Fund Voluntary Home Buy-Back Program, brought closure after years of advocacy following the devastating 2022 Queensland floods.
“This demolition marks the end of a four-year saga for the former owners of Mihi Grove,” Mayor Harding said.
Initially deemed ineligible, Mihi Grove became the focus of sustained lobbying from Ipswich City Council and residents seeking fair compensation and a pathway forward.
While the complex was ultimately accepted into the program, negotiations with the former State Government proved challenging, with many owners expressing disappointment at the offers received.
In total, 40 units were voluntarily purchased, with the remaining two compulsorily acquired, leaving the entire site now in Council ownership.
For former resident Odette Summers, the demolition signals both loss and relief. She described Mihi Grove as a close-knit community, but one repeatedly devastated by flooding, including during major events in 2011 and 2022.
“The four-year battle we went through to get to this point was extremely emotional and stressful,” Ms Summers said. “Hopefully this demolition provides some closure for all involved.”
She said that while the outcome was not everything owners had hoped for, there was comfort in knowing future residents would not face the same risks.
Councillor Jim Madden said demolition works, expected to take around six months including land rehabilitation, were now underway, while Councillor David Martin acknowledged the role of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority in delivering the program.
Across Ipswich, the voluntary buy-back initiative has enabled Council to acquire more than 200 flood-prone properties, unlocking over 500,000 square metres of land for future greenspace across 16 suburbs.
Once demolition is complete, the Mihi Grove site will be rezoned, ensuring the flood-prone land is no longer used for housing and instead contributes to safer, more resilient community spaces.
