MBRC Planning Scheme - Flood check vs hazard overlay mapping

Following the 2010/2011 flood disasters, the state government established the Queensland Flood Commission of Inquiry. In its final report, the Commission recommended that councils provide easily accessible flood information for a range of events to the community.

In Moreton Bay, this flood information is accessible through Flood Check on Council's website. Flood check provides an interactive flood map and downloadable property reports.

Complete a flood check property report

How does Flood Check work?

There are three main types of flooding that affect Moreton Bay: river and creek flooding, storm tide inundation and overland flows. For each of these flood types, council provides relevant information and maps. The purpose of this information is to make people aware of the potential for flooding in their area.

The information provided shows the predicted depth and extent of flood inundation for a number of different sized flood events including a 5% annual chance (high likelihood), 1% annual (medium likelihood) and 0.1% annual (low likelihood) floods.

How do the flood and coastal hazard overlays in the MBRC planning scheme work?

Under state government requirements, planning schemes must identify areas at risk of coastal and flood hazard. The Moreton Bay Regional Council planning scheme includes four flood-related overlay maps. These are:

  • Coastal Hazard (Storm Tide Inundation)
  • Coastal Hazard (Erosion Prone Area)
  • Flood Hazard
  • Overland flow path.

These overlay maps categorise these hazards into high and medium risk areas. The risks have been determined by considering the depth and velocity of water as well as the potential frequency of flooding.

Flood Check property report and the MBRC planning scheme

Council's Flood Check Property Report has been updated to provide information to support the MBRC planning scheme provisions. The MBRC planning scheme section of the Flood Check property report contains the following information that assists in implementing the MBRC Planning Scheme provisions:

  • if the property is in the Flood planning area and/or the Coastal planning area
  • level of the Defined flood event
  • level of the highest astronomical high tide at year 2100
  • maximum flow velocity

This information should be read in conjunction with the MBRC planning scheme, in particular the Coastal hazard overlay and Flood hazard overlay (section 8.2.1 and 8.2.2).

Why does Flood Check show things differently to the MBRC planning scheme?

Flood Check maps the frequency and depth of floods. They do not map the velocity of water or the risks to life and property associated with development and therefore cannot be directly compared to the flood and coastal hazard overlay maps in the MBRC planning scheme.

More information

For further information about flood behaviour, download a free Flood Check Property Report.

If you believe that the Flood Check property report is not showing correct site levels following a recent development approval, contact Council.