PEOPLE are being urged to again share their stories of “flood mapping gone wrong” at a public meeting tomorrow (Wednesday) night.
The town hall-style meeting at Jimboomba’s Community & District Hall is being hosted by a reinvigorated Logan Ratepayers Association.
A similar meeting was last year hosted by Logan City Council, and many expressed anger.
Some were brought to tears as they told of massive insurance hikes, and crashing house and land valuations.
This time, mayor Jon Raven isn’t likely to attend.
But the message will be directed firmly in his direction: “Ground truth the flood levels with tangible data.”
Logan Ratepayers Association’s membership includes two former mayors Darren Power and John Freeman, and Cr Raven’s opponent at the last mayoral election, Brett Raguse.
Mr Power voted in favour of flood mapping as mayor in 2022, much to the ire of residents at that time.
He is now standing alongside others who are objecting to changes made by the current city administration.
The latest iteration has continued anguish among residents who say – despite published data which was meant to be easily understood – there is much confusion.
Council has ordered the city’s third independent review of the mapping processes, but the Ratepayers Association wants Logan to start again and follow the lead of neighbouring councils.
Mr Raguse, who heads up the association as president, said the meeting would provide the community with data that shows current flood mapping is flawed.
“Some of this information hasn’t been made public yet,” he said.
“Natalie Taylor, a researcher, has worked very hard on this and she comes across new information every day that shows Logan’s council is doing the wrong thing.”
“It’s pretty simple. Why is it that every other council is fine, but when you get to the border of Logan, everything’s all of a sudden under water.
“It’s wrong. It’s clear that engineers employed by council have been lazy, they’ve cut corners, haven’t fully used tools available to them, and are now prepared to die in a ditch over something everybody in the city knows to be wrong.
“This includes the 4000 people who’ve made submissions to council, and are yet to be answered.”
Council has promised to again review its maps.
But the goal of the ratepayers’ association is to stop the review and start again.
One option would be for the state government to take ownership of the project following its own potential review of the process, Mr Raguse said.
Ms Taylor, who will present at Wednesday night’s meeting, said the meeting was about ensuring residents were informed and heard.
“Many property owners have expressed uncertainty and concern about the impact of flood mapping decisions on their homes and livelihoods,” she said.
“Our aim is to provide information, transparency and a constructive way forward.”
Mr Raguse said Cr Raven was openly talking to insurance companies.
“What for?” he said.
“Insurance companies use information provided to them by councils, and there doesn’t seem to be a problem with other councils. It’s just Logan. “We’re clearly providing them the wrong information.”
Logan Ratepayers Association has been accused in some circles of political bias, and wanting to bring Logan council into disrepute.
Mr Raguse says flood mapping was at the top of the agenda for ratepayers.
“We intend to have about four meetings like this every year, and this is just the first as it is top of mind for many residents of the city,” he said.
The meeting starts at 7.15pm.
