Logan City Council has resolved to formally seek changes from the Queensland Government on how rare and extreme flood events are used in local flood mapping, following consideration of an independent review into the Logan and Albert Rivers Flood Study.
The decision was made at a recent Special Council meeting, where councillors examined findings from the review and community feedback gathered during consultation on the draft Logan Plan.
Logan Mayor Jon Raven said the review supported community concerns that including very rare flood scenarios, such as the Probable Maximum Flood (PMF), in planning maps could be alarming and of limited practical use in development decisions.
“The review backs up what the community told us… that the inclusion of rare and extreme events in flood mapping creates alarm and isn’t practical,” Mayor Raven said.
He said he would seek urgent discussions with the Queensland Government to advocate for a more balanced approach, while still retaining extreme flood modelling for emergency management purposes.
The review found the study was undertaken using accepted national standards and industry practice. It also identified technical considerations, including whether older historical flood events from 1887 and 1947, predating gauged records, should be incorporated into modelling. It noted that doing so could potentially alter flood level outcomes in some areas, though further assessment would be required alongside updated climate data and modern guidelines.
The report also highlighted that reliable gauged records for the catchment are limited to post-1969 data, with significant urban development having since changed catchment behaviour.
Council will now consider the review alongside legislative requirements before any changes are progressed.
A dedicated webpage provides updates, timelines, FAQs and background information at: logan.qld.gov.au/Floodmaps.
A second Special Council meeting will be held on 4 June at 9am to consider and decide potential changes relating to flood mapping and policy.
Image source: logan.qld.gov.au