Realtors rally to assist in the wake of Far North Queensland disaster
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In response to the catastrophic events striking Far North Queensland, real estate agents are gearing up to help support those who have been directly impacted. Properties and communities have been devastated, and there’s a concerted effort from the sector to offer aid to lessors, tenants, and sellers grappling with the disaster’s fallout.
The Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ), as the leading organization in the area, is stressing the importance of its Disaster Toolkit, an essential resource for real estate professionals in these challenging times.
REIQ CEO Antonia Mercorella spoke about the adversity that Queensland regularly faces, “In Queensland, we are sadly no stranger to natural disasters and time and time again our communities have rallied together to help displaced residents and businesses,” said Mercorella. The toolkit, first developed during the Townsville floods, has been expanded over time to assist during multiple types of natural calamities including cyclones, storms, floods, and bushfires.
“It has served the real estate community well in cyclones, storms, floods, and bushfires, and we hope it can be assistance again for real estate professionals in the far north in the wake of this disaster,” Mercorella stated, expressing deep sympathy for those affected by the recent events. “Our thoughts are with you and our hearts go out to you โ the timing of this just before Christmas is simply devastating.”
With the rental market in the Far North already undergoing stress with less than one percent vacancy rates in areas like Cairns, there’s significant concern about the pressure the disaster will add to rental supply. Many residents might be displaced for extensive periods due to necessary repairs and potential rebuilds of their homes.
Real estate professionals in the region are urged to access the toolkit, available for download at the REIQ website, as a way to navigate the challenges posed by the natural disaster and to better serve their communities during this pressing time.