Queensland’s Approach to the

Complex Challenge of Flooding

Queensland Flood Mapping Program Funded by the Natural Disaster Resilience Program

Graeme Milligan

graeme.milligan@dnrm.qld.gov.au

Recent flooding events

Queensland is the most flood prone State in Australia

Queensland’s Context

2010 – 2011 (TC Yasi +) /2012 2013 (TC Oswald) 2014 (TC Ita)

Cumulative Impact

1. Dec 2010 Rainfall & Flooding South-east/west

2. Dec 2010 Tropical Cyclone Tasha 3. Jan 2011 Flash Flooding

Toowoomba/Lockyer Valley 4. Jan 2011 Brisbane/Ipswich Flooding 5. Jan / Feb TCs Anthony & Yasi 6. Feb 2011 Monsoonal Flooding 7. Apr 2011 Maranoa flooding 8. Aug – Nov 2011 Bushfire 9. Nov –Dec 2011 Sth QldFlooding 10. Oct 2011 Nth Qld Local Heavy Rain 11. Jan – Feb 2012 West Qld Tropical Low 12. Jan 2012 SEQ Heavy Rain & Flooding 13. Feb 2012 Tropical Low FNQ 14. Feb – March 2012 Hybrid Low Floods 15. March 2012 NQ heavy rain & floods 16. March 2012 East Coast Low http://disaster.qld.gov.au/Financial%20Support/Activations.html

Queensland’s Context

Residents Evacuated

2,000 From Bundaberg in 2013

State-wide Impact of 2013 disaster events

Power Outages

390,000 Homes & Business Impacted

Insurance Claims

$980m For Homes & Businesses

Roads Effected

22% 7,400 Kilometer State Roads

Railways Effected

43% 3,100 Kilometer Railways

Schools Closed

339

What triggered the work?

• Numerous flooding events recently

• Queensland Flood’s Commission of Inquiry ‘A recent flood study should be available for use in floodplain management for every urban area in Queensland. Where no recent study exists, one should be initiated.’ (Recommendation 2.4)

• Best Practice – EMA Handbook No. 7

Queensland’s Drivers

How have we responded?

• Rapid State-wide Assessment

• Fit-for-Purpose Flood Mapping

• Town-Based Flood Mapping Program

• Updating council planning scheme flood hazard information

• Queensland Strategy for Disaster Resilience

Queensland’s Response

Flood Mapping Framework

Not all parts of Qld need a comprehensive flood study

CoI Final Report, March 2012, pg 54

A fit-for-purpose mapping approach

What can flood data inform?

A framework for economic and community resilience has been established to support flood mapping outputs

Flood Study Benefits

FLOOD MAPPING PROVIDES IMPROVED AWARENESS ON

NATURAL HAZARD RISKS FOR LOCAL COMMUNITIES

How does mapping help?

• Assist DM groups and Council understand and communicate hazard risks to community

• Individuals develop better understand the impacts and consequences

• Businesses are assist with their BCPs

• Insurance companies to have better data to provide more affordable and fit for purpose policies to their customers

Flood Study Benefits

Our Program

All Queenslanders will have access to up-to-date flood risk information and mapping for their town that will lead to greater community and economic resilience.

Program Progress:

• 104 towns completed

• 75 projects almost complete

• Up to 25 locations by Dec 2014

Completed

Underway

Queensland Flood Mapping Program

http://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/mapping-data/maps/floodcheck-map

Interactive Flood Map – FloodCheck

Sharing the Hazard Data

I am business owner

When events happen …

I need flood hazard data and information to make decisions regarding the continuity of my business operations.

Flood maps help me …

To better prepare for business interruptions during disaster events and reduce its financial impact.

Flood Mapping Postcard

I am an emergency manager

When events happen …

I need flood hazard data and information to support effective decision making before and during event actions.

Flood maps help me …

To understand the impacts floods have on local communities and manage appropriate responses to disaster events.

Flood Mapping Postcard

The Challenge

• Communicating uncertainty & probability

• Creative use of the data

• ‘Open data’ needs updating over time

Making a Difference

Power of Location

• Flood mapping allows you to know:

– Where you are

– Potential hazards and risks

– What to do

The appropriate use of flood hazard mapping data can significant improve economic and community resilience

Making a Difference

Department of Natural Resources and Mines