Logan City Council released their updated flood mapping plans last week and residents are up in arms.
The new plans show the ‘predicted’ flood levels within the Logan and Albert Rivers and Slacks and Scrubby Creek catchment areas, putting many peoples’ homes in the flood plain that have not seen a drop of water on their property in the past.
Concerned Cedar Grove resident, Jamie Lee is urging Logan residents to check their new flood status after being shocked to find out her home is now in a flood zone.
“This affects everyone in Logan City,” she said.
“My property has never had flood water recorded and now according to the new flood mapping it’s completely under.
“Why are we in a 1 in 100-year event flood zone, yet Brisbane flood areas are listed at 1 in 500 and 1 in 2000-year event zones?”
The new modelling was based on a hydrological model developed by engineering company WRM Water and Environment, which was accepted by the council in May.
According to Logan City Council the “new modelling takes into account the latest rainfall data for the whole of Australia, climate change considerations and recent aerial surveys of ground levels.”
It “depicts a weather event that has a 1 per cent chance of happening, or a 1 in 100 chance, in any year,” a council spokesperson said.
“It could mean that some homes, businesses, or parcels of land may have a higher flood risk than previously considered. That includes people who have never experienced a major flood event.”
According to council, the 2017 flood event on the Albert River – which was larger than the 1974 floods in some areas – was considered closer to the 1% event and the 2022 flood event, which was the largest event for parts of the Logan River since 1974, was roughly between a 1 in 50 and 1 in 20 chance event.
Councillor Scott Bannan said the new flood mapping plan was one of the biggest decisions in the history of Logan and it was poorly executed.
“I want people to know that I didn’t support this, and I don’t agree with it,” he said.
“I have lived in this area for 48 and a half years and I know what this community feels, and as council we need to make better choices and look after our people, and I don’t think council has done this.
“People’s homes and livelihoods are affected, as well as their financial assets, they busted they’re arses off to pay for their homes and now everyone is up in limbo worried about what is going to happen.”
Mr Bannan said the decision to release the new flood mapping now, comes from state government.
“Unfortunately, this has come from state government and council are copping the blame, but council should have done a better job managing it,” he said.
“There should have been more community input and councillors should have been included in the planning.
“If government would have gone with the risk category model first it would have been much better than just a ‘predicted’ mapping system based off ‘predicted’ rainfall. As it stands, it just looks like a big blue map and people are freaking out.”
According to Logan City Council, the risk category model is still under development.
Ms Lee said she wants residents and councillors to speak up and fight against this issue.
“Your insurance for home, contents and vehicles will increase dramatically if not limit future cover, and property values and future resale will be worth very little, because of this computer-generated outlook,” she said.
“Logan City Council need to see and hear the disgust in this decision they’ve made.
“We need to fight this and get other councillors, like Scott Bannan on board.”
The council spokesperson said further updates for other catchments including Henderson Creek, Days, Quinzeh, Windaroo, Belivah, Chambers and Upper Oxley to be made in 2023 and 2024.
To view your property, visit Logan City Council’s online Logan PD Hub.
