Ballina house purchase requires unusual stipulation

A couple attempting to buy a home in the centre of Ballina have been told they need to acquire a letter regarding the house's location on a flood plain - despite the area not having flooded in 60 years.

Cllr Annie-May Reape told a meeting of the local municipal council that she had been contacted by the couple who made a successful offer on the house on Humbert Street and approval for a loan from the bank but now needed to provide a letter about the house being located on a flood plain.

“There has been no flooding on Humbert Street for over 60 or 70 years,” said Cllr Reape, adding that the couple is not sure where to go to acquire the letter.

Director of Services Catherine McConnell said the council’s flood relief office would be able to point them in the right direction.