Creating a resilient city with updated flood data
Published 26 February 2025
City of Moreton Bay now has the most up-to-date flood mapping available for residents to access and better understand their flood risk, following a major update to the City Flood Database.
A new city-wide education campaign has been launched to help residents understand what this means for them, and what they can do to prepare their properties for potential flood events.
Mayor Peter Flannery said with floods on the forefront of everyone’s minds, it was important to arm our residents with the best possible information to prepare for future flood events.
“The 2022 floods are still firmly in the minds of many residents who experienced devastating losses and damage to their homes in Moreton Bay,” he said.
“Data from rainfall events like this, as well as upgrades to technology and new professional guidelines, have allowed us to improve our City Flood Database using industry-leading methods for greater accuracy.
“It’s part of ongoing work that began in 2012 under the previously named Regional Floodplain Database to continuously update flood information that we provide to our residents.
“This means that some areas are now classed as higher risk when compared to the previously available information.
“Approximately 9,300* properties will receive letters over the coming days notifying them that their risk has increased and what their next steps should be.
“A city-wide campaign has also been launched to build awareness of flood risk for all residents. Some 1,400 properties show reduced risk based on the new data, so we encourage all residents to familiarise themselves with the changes.
“Residents can do this by using our newly updated flood mapping, which is freely accessible for residents on our website through the Moreton Bay Flood Viewer map tool.
“We strongly encourage you to familiarise yourself with the Moreton Bay Flood Viewer.
“An updated Flood Check Property Report will also be able to be downloaded on our website in the coming days.
“These tools are vital for residents to understand their risk to future flood events so they can prepare their properties and make a plan to keep themselves safe.
“Having an emergency plan for your household is critical. You should also prepare an emergency kit and maintain your property to reduce the risk to you and your family.”
Industry support
These updates have been welcomed by industry experts, Griffith University Professor of Urban Management and Planning Paul Burton, Floodplain Management Australia President Sue Ribbons and Planning Institute of Australia Queensland President Sean Cullen.
Griffith University Professor of Urban Management and Planning Paul Burton:
“Local Governments are at the forefront of flood disaster management and recovery,” he said.
“Having the most up to date flood information ever developed by City of Moreton Bay means that its residents have a trusted, reliable, and free source of flood information to improve their resilience to flooding, now and into the future.
“Better information makes for better and more resilient urban planning outcomes as our risks and exposure to flooding continue to change.”
Floodplain Management Australia President Sue Ribbons:
“I am delighted to hear that City of Moreton Bay has released updated and more accurate flood mapping for rivers and creeks across its Local Government Area,” she said.
“Ready access to this type of information by council, residents and businesses is vital for better understanding of flood risk.”
Planning Institute of Australia Queensland President Sean Cullen:
“Accurate and up-to-date flood modelling is critical for preparing communities, protecting lives and reducing economic losses from increasingly frequent and severe flood events,” he said.
“This information will enable more informed decisions regarding risk assessment, preparedness, and resilience-building for communities and critical infrastructure."
What’s next?
City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said the City Flood Database updates are part of Council’s work to strengthen resilience to all natural hazards.
“We can’t control severe weather events, but we can control our preparedness and our response by having the best available information for our residents,” he said.
“We will continue to update the City Flood Database and subsequent mapping as we obtain new information.
“City of Moreton Bay will begin using the updated flood information to inform future policies and procedures for disaster management, planning, infrastructure, and asset management to strengthen our city’s resilience to floods.
“We will also complete a city-wide Flood Risk Assessment Study which may inform future updates to the Council’s Planning Scheme. Further information will be communicated as these actions progress.
“We’re proud of the work that our team has done for many years to produce industry-leading flood modelling to help keep residents safe.
“We’ll continue to strive to lead the way on flood information in South East Queensland.”
For further information, please visit City of Moreton Bay’s website.
*There are 192,020 rateable properties in City of Moreton Bay