Flood Lessons

Brisbane has been hit again by a major flood causing devastation to homes, sporting and community groups, schools and businesses right around Tennyson Ward. 9 of the 10 suburbs in Tennyson Ward and approx. 3000 homes were flood affected, many catastrophically. As I write this, we are getting another scare. For many people it will be months before they can return home, if at all.

I know many people are still battling with insurers to find out if they are covered or waiting for advice about securing trades to start rebuilding. With insurance premiums out of reach, many families will be relying on the $771m State/Federal Disaster package which has now been announced. So far, the “Schrinner Council” has refused to reinstate Council’s  voluntary buy-back scheme or to extend the flood resilient homes to all suburbs in Brisbane. It is heartbreaking to see the Lord Mayor refusing to help rebuild homes that pay huge rates every quarter and instead focus on advertising, junkets and funding for the Olympics.    

So much about how this flood has been handled by all three levels of government has been inadequate. From the lack of warning, the lack of ongoing investment in flood mitigation infrastructure, poor planning and development controls and the lack of disaster relief funding so much more needs to be done and done better. That’s why I made a substantial submission to Council’s 2022 flood review led by former Supreme Court Chief Justice Mr Paul de Jersey. 

Read my submission here.
Read the Council De Jersey Flood Review here.

We need to do more because it will flood again. Brisbane was built on a flood plain and severe weather events are increasing in severity due to climate change and exacerbated by inappropriate development. I will not ever stop fighting for better planning, preparedness and resilience for our community. If I can assist you with any advice about flood recovery or any Council matters please do not hesitate to contact me. Regards, Nicole.

Read my flood newsletter here.

Flood Recovery

Flood Recovery Key Contacts

Australian Financial Complaints Authority
Insurance complaints and advice
www.afca.org.au or call 1800 931 678

Qld Reconstruction Authority (QRA)
www.qra.qld.gov.au – state grants and advice
www.qra.qld.gov.au/resilient-homes – build back better funding

Qld Community Disaster – State Government grants
www.communityrecovery.qld.gov.au  or Community Recovery Hotline on 1800 173 349

Services AustraliaCommonwealth grants

Yeronga Community Centre – community flood support
In person 26 Devon St, Yeronga or call 3848 2285 for a home visit

Brisbane City Council – flood waste collections, rates rebate
3403 8888 or www.brisbane.qld.gov.au

Tennyson Ward Office – council and community advice, support and referrals
3403 8605 or email tennyson.ward@bcc.qld.gov.au

Flood Resilience – Build Back Better Funding
Registration is now open for flood recovery funding to ‘build back better’ via the QRA website here. The Resilient Residential Recovery Programme will be administered via the State in conjunction with Brisbane City Council.  There will be detailed eligibility criteria but if habitable areas in your home flooded funding will be available for:

  • home resilience assessments;
  • retrofitting homes with flood resilient materials;
  • house raising and home buy back.

Caxton Legal Centre
Free legal advice and social work support
3214 6333 or caxton.org.au

HUB Community Legal
Free legal advice
3372 7677, legal@hubcommunity.org.au or in person at Inala Community Centre, 79 Poinsettia Street, Inala

Change Futures
Free in-person or telehealth psychology and counselling services
Call 3153 1093 or email info@changefutures.org.au to arrange a referral

Media

‘Deserted and Decrepit Homes Left Behind By 2022 Queensland Flood Disaster’ Channel 7 News – 29/8/22
‘Brisbane’s Flood Mitigation Projects Further Delayed After February Disaster’ Channel 7 News – 23/8/22
‘Councillor’s Scathing Assessment of Flood Works Ahead of Worrying Forecast’ 4BC – 1/9/22