Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program
Find answers to your most frequently asked questions here.
Program information
What is the Brisbane City Council Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program?
The Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program, is an initiative of Brisbane City Council, delivered by Brisbane Sustainability Agency and Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA). The program is designed to help qualifying businesses prepare for, respond to, and recover quickly from flood events.
This Program has two options. Businesses can choose to partake in one of:
1. A Business Flood Resilience Assessment and receive a Flood Resilience Recommendations Report or,
2. Business Flood Continuity Planning Support.
If you choose to partake in option one (Business Flood Resilience Assessment and Flood Resilience Recommendations Report), your business will work with Brisbane Sustainability Agency. If you choose option two, your Business Flood Continuity Planning Support will be delivered by Brisbane Economic Development Agency. Both agencies are subsidiaries of Brisbane City Council.
Flood-affected Brisbane-based businesses or business property owners can register their expression of interest until 30 April 2023 (subject to program availability) via Brisbane City Council’s website at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au. You can select a Program option at registration. After registration, your eligibility will be checked and if you are eligible, either Brisbane Sustainability Agency or Brisbane Economic Development Agency will contact you. Currently, the Program is being offered to businesses that are located within the Brisbane City Local Government Area and have a high likelihood of flood each year (as identified by the Flood Awareness Map or Floodwise property Report) or were impacted by the February 2022 flood event. Flooding refers to creek, overland flow, river or storm tide flooding. If you are not eligible, your details will be added to a customer enquiries database, and should the eligibility criteria for the Program change, you may be invited to receive additional assistance in the future. You do not need to know your flood risk prior to registering.
This Program has two options. Businesses can choose to partake in one of:
1. A Business Flood Resilience Assessment and receive a Flood Resilience Recommendations Report or,
2. Business Flood Continuity Planning Support.
If you choose to partake in option one (Business Flood Resilience Assessment and Flood Resilience Recommendations Report), your business will work with Brisbane Sustainability Agency. If you choose option two, your Business Flood Continuity Planning Support will be delivered by Brisbane Economic Development Agency. Both agencies are subsidiaries of Brisbane City Council.
Flood-affected Brisbane-based businesses or business property owners can register their expression of interest until 30 April 2023 (subject to program availability) via Brisbane City Council’s website at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au. You can select a Program option at registration. After registration, your eligibility will be checked and if you are eligible, either Brisbane Sustainability Agency or Brisbane Economic Development Agency will contact you. Currently, the Program is being offered to businesses that are located within the Brisbane City Local Government Area and have a high likelihood of flood each year (as identified by the Flood Awareness Map or Floodwise property Report) or were impacted by the February 2022 flood event. Flooding refers to creek, overland flow, river or storm tide flooding. If you are not eligible, your details will be added to a customer enquiries database, and should the eligibility criteria for the Program change, you may be invited to receive additional assistance in the future. You do not need to know your flood risk prior to registering.
Program eligibility and outputs
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Eligibility | (1) Business is located within the Brisbane City Local Government Area, and (2) building footprint used for business activities has a high likelihood of flood each year (as identified by the Flood Awareness Map or Floodwise property Report) or was impacted by the February 2022 flood event. |
| Brisbane City Council partners’ provided services (choose one option). | Brisbane Sustainability Agency and Brisbane Economic Development Agency. Option one (Brisbane Sustainability Agency): · Business Flood Resilience Assessment and · Flood Resilience Recommendations Report Option two (Brisbane Economic Development Agency): · Business Flood Continuity Planning Support |
Who can participate in the Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program (the Program)?
Businesses are eligible to participate in the Program if they:
· are located within the Brisbane City Local Government Area, and
· have a high likelihood of flood each year (as identified by the Flood Awareness Map or Floodwise property Report) or were impacted by the February 2022 flood event.
· are located within the Brisbane City Local Government Area, and
· have a high likelihood of flood each year (as identified by the Flood Awareness Map or Floodwise property Report) or were impacted by the February 2022 flood event.
How do I find out if I have a high likelihood of flooding?
You can check your flood risk using the Flood Awareness Map. Use the Brisbane City Council Flood Awareness Map to download a FloodWise Property Report for your address, which will detail your property’s likelihood of flooding.
Please note that you do not need to know whether you meet the flood risk eligibility criteria prior to registering. This will be assessed by Brisbane City Council when you register for the Program. Any business based in the Brisbane Local Government Area can register for the Program via Brisbane City Council’s website at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
You do not need to know whether you meet the flood risk eligibility criteria prior to registering.
Please note that you do not need to know whether you meet the flood risk eligibility criteria prior to registering. This will be assessed by Brisbane City Council when you register for the Program. Any business based in the Brisbane Local Government Area can register for the Program via Brisbane City Council’s website at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
You do not need to know whether you meet the flood risk eligibility criteria prior to registering.
What type of businesses can register for the Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program?
All businesses based in the Brisbane City Local Government Area are encouraged to register their interest in the Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program. This includes but is not limited to professional offices (e.g., real estate), medical offices (e.g., doctors’ surgeries), hospitality (e.g., cafes and restaurants), retail (e.g., clothing shops), services (e.g., hairdressers and childcare centres), industrial (e.g., mechanics), and warehouse or large sites (e.g., car yards and distributions centres).
How do I register for the Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program?
If you have not been contacted by Brisbane City Council, you can register your interest to participate in the Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program via Brisbane City Council’s website at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
Where do I find more information on the Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program?
Register for Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program via Brisbane City Council’s website at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
More information on the Program can be found on Brisbane Economic Development Agency’s website or on Brisbane Sustainability Agency’s website.
You can contact Brisbane Economic Development Agency via their website.
Brisbane Sustainability Agency can be contacted by calling (07) 3007 7013 or emailing floodwise@sustainablebrisbane.com.au
More information on the Program can be found on Brisbane Economic Development Agency’s website or on Brisbane Sustainability Agency’s website.
You can contact Brisbane Economic Development Agency via their website.
Brisbane Sustainability Agency can be contacted by calling (07) 3007 7013 or emailing floodwise@sustainablebrisbane.com.au
Who is Brisbane Economic Development Agency?
Brisbane Economic Development Agency is a subsidiary of Brisbane City Council, dedicated to growing Brisbane’s economy, driving demand for Brisbane and creating growth and trade opportunities for Brisbane businesses. Brisbane Economic Development Agency and Brisbane Sustainability Agency are delivering the Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program on behalf of Council.
Who is Brisbane Sustainability Agency?
Brisbane Sustainability Agency is a subsidiary of Brisbane City Council, dedicated to delivering sustainable programs, projects and events for the City. Brisbane Sustainability Agency will partner with Brisbane Economic Development Agency to deliver the Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program, on behalf of Council.
What is flood resilience?
Flood resilience is the ability to plan, prepare, respond, and return to normal life with minimal disruption following flooding. The Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program will not stop flood waters. Flooding is a natural process and can occur anywhere. Brisbane’s location on a floodplain, along with its sub-tropical climate and unique land features mean that residents may experience flooding in their lifetime. When flooding occurs, a flood-resilient business should experience less disruption to their business operations. A flood-resilient business is physically resilient to flooding and has a business continuity plan which explains the actions that they can take before, during and after flood events. Improving flood resilience can assist businesses to adapt and prepare for future flood events and to recover quickly with minimal disruption.
What is flood-resilient design?
Flood-resilient design prepares buildings to withstand and recover from flood events, while supporting everyday liveability and quality of life. It considers the use of materials, construction methods and the style of the building. By implementing flood-resilient design measures, businesses can actively mitigate or minimise the effects of flooding, including disruption to business operations and damage to business assets. Flood-resilient design empowers businesses to easily clean flood-affected areas, allowing business operations to re-start, with minimal long-term disruption. Flood-resilient design is one way businesses can be better prepared for flooding.
View more information on flood resilience for businesses or view a list of flood resilience techniques used in homes that are also applicable to many businesses.
View more information on flood resilience for businesses or view a list of flood resilience techniques used in homes that are also applicable to many businesses.
What are flood-resilient materials?
Flood-resilient materials are non-porous, water-resistant and easy to clean following an inundation. See here for a list of flood-resilience strategies and visit our interactive video of a flood-resilient home which explains the materials chosen.
Will implementing the resilience recommendations flood-proof my property?
No. Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program will not stop flooding, but rather aims to reduce the effects of flooding and to minimise disruption to a building’s functionality. Business Flood Continuity Planning Support and strategies included in the Flood Resilience Recommendations Report should help businesses to return to normal more quickly after a flood event.
Flood information
What is overland flow flooding?
Overland flow is excess rainfall runoff from homes, driveways, and other surfaces. Overland flow flooding is water that runs across the land after rain, either before it enters a creek or waterway, or after rising to the surface naturally from underground. Overland flow flooding tends to affect localised areas rather than the whole city at once.
What is creek flooding?
Creek flooding happens when intense rain falls over a creek catchment. Run-off from houses and streets also contributes to creek flooding. The combination of the existing water flowing through the creek, heavy rainfall and run-off causes creek levels to rise.
What is river flooding?
River flooding happens when widespread, prolonged rain falls over the catchment of a river. As the river channel reaches capacity, excess water flows over its banks causing flooding. River flooding downstream can occur hours or days after the rainfall has finished. River flooding may coincide or exacerbate flooding in adjacent creeks and tributaries and may itself be exacerbated by higher than normal high tide conditions.
What is storm tide/high tide flooding?
Storm tide flooding happens when a storm surge creates higher than normal sea levels. A storm surge is caused when a low-pressure system or strong onshore winds force sea levels to rise above normal levels. The impact of a storm tide or storm surge is increased during high tides and king tides and can affect low-lying areas close to tidal waterways and foreshores.
Tidal flooding is the temporary inundation of low-lying areas and streets during high tide events, such as at full and new moons. The highest tides of the year may be known as king tides. Areas connected to the foreshore and tide-affected areas of the river, tidal creeks and other waterways are susceptible.
Tidal flooding is the temporary inundation of low-lying areas and streets during high tide events, such as at full and new moons. The highest tides of the year may be known as king tides. Areas connected to the foreshore and tide-affected areas of the river, tidal creeks and other waterways are susceptible.
What is the Flood Awareness Map?
The Flood Awareness Map is a free online interactive mapping tool accessible via: https://fam.brisbane.qld.gov.au
The Flood Awareness Map provides general flood levels (including historic flood events) and flood maps for the Brisbane Local Government Area. The Flood Awareness Map can be used to locate the FloodWise Property Report for your property.
The Flood Awareness Map provides general flood levels (including historic flood events) and flood maps for the Brisbane Local Government Area. The Flood Awareness Map can be used to locate the FloodWise Property Report for your property.
What is the FloodWise Property Report?
Brisbane City Council’s FloodWise Property Report is a technical report to guide planning and building in Brisbane. It will help you understand flooding risk on a property as well as applicable historic flood levels and survey levels so that you can build in accordance with Brisbane City Council’s planning requirements in CityPlan.
These reports are publicly available and provide property-specific information on estimated flood levels, habitable floor level requirements and more technical information and development flags on the sources of flooding applicable to your property.
To access a FloodWise Property Report, go to the main page of Council’s Flood Information Online.
These reports are publicly available and provide property-specific information on estimated flood levels, habitable floor level requirements and more technical information and development flags on the sources of flooding applicable to your property.
To access a FloodWise Property Report, go to the main page of Council’s Flood Information Online.
Further program information
I have a home-based business; can I register for the Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program?
A home-based business is a dwelling used for a business activity that is secondary to the residential use. A home-based business can operate from a townhouse, apartment or house. If you have a home-based business, and your home was impacted by the severe weather event in February 2022, we encourage you to register for the Queensland State Government’s Flood Resilient Homes Fund on their website.
Is it compulsory to participate in the Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program?
The program aims to promote and support the benefits of flood resilience strategies and business continuity planning for flood-affected businesses. As a free service, Council strongly encourages businesses to consider their relevant flood resilience options. Participation in the Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program, is however, voluntary.
I have registered my interest in the program. What happens next?
After registering, your eligibility to participate in the program will be checked by Brisbane City Council. If you are eligible, you will be contacted by Brisbane Economic Development Agency or Brisbane Sustainability Agency depending on the service you chose to receive. Any registrations considered not immediately eligible under the current program eligibility criteria will have their details recorded and may be contacted in the future should the eligibility criteria expand.
I have registered for the Program and selected to participate in the Business Flood Continuity Planning Support option. What happens next?
Your eligibility will be confirmed, and Brisbane Economic Development Agency will contact you to arrange a meeting with you. They deliver your personalised Business Flood Continuity Planning Support. More information on the Business Flood Continuity Planning Support option can be found on Brisbane Economic Development Agency’s website.
I have registered for the Program and selected to participate in the Business Flood Resilience Assessment option. What happens next?
After you register for the Program and Brisbane Sustainability Agency has confirmed your eligibility, the next steps are:
1. Brisbane Sustainability Agency will contact you to book your Business Flood Resilience Assessment with the assessor. You will be asked to sign a consent form and provide some key information prior to the booking. Business owners will also be asked to complete a pre-assessment survey (not applicable to business property owners).
2. The assessor will conduct the Business Flood Resilience Assessment, at the appointed time. They may need to book an additional session if further investigations are required. This will be discussed with you.
3. After the Business Flood Resilience Assessment, Brisbane Sustainability Agency will send a post-assessment survey to business owners (not applicable to business property owners).
4. Your personalised Flood Resilience Recommendations report will be sent to you 4-6 weeks later.
Brisbane Sustainability Agency may need to contact you to book a surveyor to assess your property levels. If this occurs, we may need somebody to provide the surveyor with access to the premises. This will be discussed with you in advance.
1. Brisbane Sustainability Agency will contact you to book your Business Flood Resilience Assessment with the assessor. You will be asked to sign a consent form and provide some key information prior to the booking. Business owners will also be asked to complete a pre-assessment survey (not applicable to business property owners).
2. The assessor will conduct the Business Flood Resilience Assessment, at the appointed time. They may need to book an additional session if further investigations are required. This will be discussed with you.
3. After the Business Flood Resilience Assessment, Brisbane Sustainability Agency will send a post-assessment survey to business owners (not applicable to business property owners).
4. Your personalised Flood Resilience Recommendations report will be sent to you 4-6 weeks later.
Brisbane Sustainability Agency may need to contact you to book a surveyor to assess your property levels. If this occurs, we may need somebody to provide the surveyor with access to the premises. This will be discussed with you in advance.
What is the difference between the ‘surveyor’ and the ‘assessor’?
A surveyor:
· The surveyor will survey your property levels, including the street(s) around your business.
· The surveyor may need someone to provide access to the premises.
· The person who provides access to the property does not need to know about your property’s flood history and there are no surveys to complete.
· You can nominate a representative to meet with the surveyor by supplying their full name, email address and phone number, to Brisbane Sustainability Agency, at least 48 hours prior to the booking.
· You can nominate more than one person to meet with the surveyor.
An assessor:
· The assessor will evaluate the flood resilience of your business premises.
· Business owners will be asked to complete a pre-assessment survey prior to meeting with the assessor. To get the most out of this Program, this should be completed by someone who knows the flood history of your premises and can attend the Business Flood Resilience Assessment.
· After the Business Flood Resilience Assessment, business owners will be asked to complete a post-assessment survey. This should be completed by the person who attended the assessment.
· You can nominate a representative to meet with the assessor by supplying their full name, email address and phone number, to Brisbane Sustainability Agency, at least 48 hours prior to the booking.
· You can nominate more than one person to meet with the assessor.
· The surveyor will survey your property levels, including the street(s) around your business.
· The surveyor may need someone to provide access to the premises.
· The person who provides access to the property does not need to know about your property’s flood history and there are no surveys to complete.
· You can nominate a representative to meet with the surveyor by supplying their full name, email address and phone number, to Brisbane Sustainability Agency, at least 48 hours prior to the booking.
· You can nominate more than one person to meet with the surveyor.
An assessor:
· The assessor will evaluate the flood resilience of your business premises.
· Business owners will be asked to complete a pre-assessment survey prior to meeting with the assessor. To get the most out of this Program, this should be completed by someone who knows the flood history of your premises and can attend the Business Flood Resilience Assessment.
· After the Business Flood Resilience Assessment, business owners will be asked to complete a post-assessment survey. This should be completed by the person who attended the assessment.
· You can nominate a representative to meet with the assessor by supplying their full name, email address and phone number, to Brisbane Sustainability Agency, at least 48 hours prior to the booking.
· You can nominate more than one person to meet with the assessor.
Why do I need to sign a consent form for the Business Flood Resilience Assessment?
The consent form allows you to participate in the Business Flood Resilience Assessment. The consent form gives permission for:
· The surveyor and assessor(s) to enter your property with your accompaniment (or with your nominated representative), to undertake the Business Flood Resilience Assessment.
· Your nominated representative to meet with the surveyor and/or the assessor(s). An example of this representative could be an employee or trusted individual.
· The surveyor, assessor(s), Brisbane Sustainability Agency and Council to collect, store and use data relating only to the Program, such as photos and digital recordings of actual or potential flood-related areas and structures (optional);
· Brisbane Sustainability Agency, or Council, to contact you or your nominated representative by phone or email, to gather information on the usefulness and effectiveness of the Program; and
· Queensland Urban Utilities, consultants and subcontractors of Brisbane Sustainability Agency, or Council to contact you for the purpose of providing further services; and
· Council to note the completion of Flood Resilience Recommendations Report for your property as an update on Council’s FloodWise Property Report.
· The surveyor and assessor(s) to enter your property with your accompaniment (or with your nominated representative), to undertake the Business Flood Resilience Assessment.
· Your nominated representative to meet with the surveyor and/or the assessor(s). An example of this representative could be an employee or trusted individual.
· The surveyor, assessor(s), Brisbane Sustainability Agency and Council to collect, store and use data relating only to the Program, such as photos and digital recordings of actual or potential flood-related areas and structures (optional);
· Brisbane Sustainability Agency, or Council, to contact you or your nominated representative by phone or email, to gather information on the usefulness and effectiveness of the Program; and
· Queensland Urban Utilities, consultants and subcontractors of Brisbane Sustainability Agency, or Council to contact you for the purpose of providing further services; and
· Council to note the completion of Flood Resilience Recommendations Report for your property as an update on Council’s FloodWise Property Report.
I am a business owner and lease my premises, do I need permission from the Business Property Owner to participate in the Business Flood Resilience Assessment?
As a business owner on leased premises, you will need permission from the business property owner for the Business Flood Resilience Assessment to take place. In this instance, Brisbane Sustainability Agency will provide two consent forms – one for the business owner (you) and one for the business property owner (them). Consent must be provided by both the business owner and the business property owner for either party to participate in the Program. Provided that the business owner can provide access to the entire property (internal and external areas), the business property owner does not need to attend the Business Flood Resilience Assessment. We encourage you to discuss who will attend the Business Flood Resilience Assessment with the business property owner. After the Business Flood Resilience Assessment, the business owner will be provided with a Flood Resilience Recommendations Report. The business owner can choose whether to share this with the business property owner.
I own commercial premises, and a business owner leases my premises, do I need permission from the business owner to participate in the Business Flood Resilience Assessment?
As the owner of commercial premises (i.e., the ‘business property owner’), you will need permission from the business owner for the Business Flood Resilience Assessment to take place. In this instance, Brisbane Sustainability Agency will provide two consent forms – one for the business owner (them) and one for the business property owner (you). Consent must be provided by both the business owner and the business property owner for either party to participate in the Program. Provided that the business owner can provide access to the entire property (internal and external areas), the business property owner does not need to attend the Business Flood Resilience Assessment. We encourage you to discuss who will attend the Business Flood Resilience Assessment with the business owner.
If multiple businesses operate out of your commercial premises, the owner of each business must complete their own consent form for Brisbane Sustainability Agency to complete the Business Flood Resilience Assessment at each business.
If the internal area of your commercial premises is inaccessible, it may be possible to modify the Business Flood Resilience Assessment to assess external areas only. Please contact the Brisbane Sustainability Agency to discuss options for your property, by calling (07) 3007 7013 or emailing floodwise@sustainablebrisbane.com.au
If multiple businesses operate out of your commercial premises, the owner of each business must complete their own consent form for Brisbane Sustainability Agency to complete the Business Flood Resilience Assessment at each business.
If the internal area of your commercial premises is inaccessible, it may be possible to modify the Business Flood Resilience Assessment to assess external areas only. Please contact the Brisbane Sustainability Agency to discuss options for your property, by calling (07) 3007 7013 or emailing floodwise@sustainablebrisbane.com.au
What is the Business Flood Resilience Assessment?
The Business Flood Resilience Assessment is a free personalised service to help you learn and understand how to improve the flood resilience of your business. A suitably qualified assessor will visit your business to:
· provide guidance on understanding your flood risk.
· provide guidance on how to prepare for flooding.
· provide guidance on what to do during a flood.
· provide guidance on how to quickly recover and return the premises to a functional condition.
· evaluate the premises’ existing flood resilience.
· provide building and design recommendations to improve flood resilience.
· provide guidance on understanding your flood risk.
· provide guidance on how to prepare for flooding.
· provide guidance on what to do during a flood.
· provide guidance on how to quickly recover and return the premises to a functional condition.
· evaluate the premises’ existing flood resilience.
· provide building and design recommendations to improve flood resilience.
What do I need to do before the Business Flood Resilience Assessment?
Brisbane Sustainability Agency will contact you before your Building Resilience Assessment to confirm your booking details and ask you to:
1. Complete the necessary consent form(s).
2. Tell us who will attend the Business Flood Resilience Assessment.
3. Complete a pre-assessment survey (business owners only)
Please let us know who will attend the Business Flood Resilience Assessment. If you are nominating someone to attend the assessment on your behalf, please provide their full name, email address, and contact number to Brisbane Sustainability Agency at least 48 hours prior to the assessment. To get the most out of this Program, please nominate someone who understands the flood history of the premises and who can engage in discussion with our assessors. You can nominate more than one person to attend the assessment.
Brisbane Sustainability Agency will ask business owners to complete an online pre-assessment survey. The survey will provide the assessor(s) with the information that they need to tailor the on-site visit. Ideally, the survey should be completed by someone who understands the flood history of the premises and can attend the Business Flood Resilience Assessment.
1. Complete the necessary consent form(s).
2. Tell us who will attend the Business Flood Resilience Assessment.
3. Complete a pre-assessment survey (business owners only)
Please let us know who will attend the Business Flood Resilience Assessment. If you are nominating someone to attend the assessment on your behalf, please provide their full name, email address, and contact number to Brisbane Sustainability Agency at least 48 hours prior to the assessment. To get the most out of this Program, please nominate someone who understands the flood history of the premises and who can engage in discussion with our assessors. You can nominate more than one person to attend the assessment.
Brisbane Sustainability Agency will ask business owners to complete an online pre-assessment survey. The survey will provide the assessor(s) with the information that they need to tailor the on-site visit. Ideally, the survey should be completed by someone who understands the flood history of the premises and can attend the Business Flood Resilience Assessment.
What happens during the Business Flood Resilience Assessment?
On the day of your booked Business Flood Resilience Assessment, you will receive a visit from our assessor(s). The assessor(s) will provide you with the Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program letter of authority to verify their involvement in the Program and details of the visit. The assessor(s) will walk with you through flood-impacted areas of your premises and discuss flood levels and flood history. They will identify existing resilient strategies and recommend additional measures which could improve your business’s flood resilience.
The assessors may be accompanied by a team member who will take a 3D scan or property-level survey of your premises during the visit. These scans provide exact measurements of your property which are used to provide key data to complement the recommended resilience strategies. This scan will usually be done during the appointment to avoid needing a second visit.
During an assessment, it may be identified that additional further specialised expertise may be required to complete the assessment and a second visit may be required. This will be discussed with you and a subsequent visit may be arranged at a suitable time.
The assessors may be accompanied by a team member who will take a 3D scan or property-level survey of your premises during the visit. These scans provide exact measurements of your property which are used to provide key data to complement the recommended resilience strategies. This scan will usually be done during the appointment to avoid needing a second visit.
During an assessment, it may be identified that additional further specialised expertise may be required to complete the assessment and a second visit may be required. This will be discussed with you and a subsequent visit may be arranged at a suitable time.
What do I need to do after the Business Flood Resilience Assessment?
Brisbane Sustainability Agency will contact the business owner (or their representative) after the Business Flood Resilience Assessment to ask them to complete an online post-assessment survey. The survey should be completed by the same person who attended the Business Flood Resilience Assessment.
Brisbane Sustainability Agency will send you your personalised Flood Resilience Recommendations Report four to six weeks after your Business Flood Resilience Assessment.
Brisbane Sustainability Agency will send you your personalised Flood Resilience Recommendations Report four to six weeks after your Business Flood Resilience Assessment.
What is the Flood Resilience Recommendations Report?
Within four to six weeks after your Business Flood Resilience Assessment, the business owner will be sent a free Flood Resilience Recommendations Report to help improve their business’s flood resilience. This may include building or design recommendations to minimise flood damage to your business. It may include information about actions to take when your business is flooded and advice to help your business return to normal as quickly as possible after a flood. The uptake of these recommendations could help your business prepare, respond, and recover quickly after a flood.
Whilst we encourage you to implement the recommendations, uptake is at your discretion. The Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program encourages the use of QBCC-licensed tradespeople.
Whilst we encourage you to implement the recommendations, uptake is at your discretion. The Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program encourages the use of QBCC-licensed tradespeople.
What type of resilience recommendations will be made?
Retrofit – examples of retrofits include:
· Raise services above a defined flood level (e.g., general power outlets, air conditioning units, hot water systems, security cameras, solar inverters, fridges, freezers, etc.).
· Installing or upgrading backup generators
· Installing flood-resilient flooring
· Installing flood-resilient walls (e.g., install water-resistant wall linings, replace cavity walls with non-cavity walls, etc.).
· Waterproof the junction between the walls and flooring
· Install flood-resilient cabinetry
· Install flood-resilient doors (e.g., solid core doors).
Building management and preparation – examples can include:
· Scheduling of routine maintenance (e.g., routine clearing of stormwater drains, routine checks of non-return valves etc.)
· Creating a list of actions to take immediately prior to or during a flood (e.g., lock up waste containers, move chemicals above the flood level, activate flood barriers etc.).
Other recommendations as proposed by the assessor.
No recommendations – You have been assessed as flood resilient.
· Raise services above a defined flood level (e.g., general power outlets, air conditioning units, hot water systems, security cameras, solar inverters, fridges, freezers, etc.).
· Installing or upgrading backup generators
· Installing flood-resilient flooring
· Installing flood-resilient walls (e.g., install water-resistant wall linings, replace cavity walls with non-cavity walls, etc.).
· Waterproof the junction between the walls and flooring
· Install flood-resilient cabinetry
· Install flood-resilient doors (e.g., solid core doors).
Building management and preparation – examples can include:
· Scheduling of routine maintenance (e.g., routine clearing of stormwater drains, routine checks of non-return valves etc.)
· Creating a list of actions to take immediately prior to or during a flood (e.g., lock up waste containers, move chemicals above the flood level, activate flood barriers etc.).
Other recommendations as proposed by the assessor.
No recommendations – You have been assessed as flood resilient.
Will my insurance premiums be reduced by participating?
The Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program, has no influence over insurance companies and premiums. Insurance premiums consider a range of factors, one of which is the likelihood of flooding. We recommend you contact your insurer, or other insurance companies before undertaking resilience works on your property, to see if they are open to adjusting premiums based upon proposed flood-resilient works.
Following a flood, can my insurance offer a build-back better/flood-resilient option?
Insurance companies are required by the State Government to build back according to the Queensland Building Code. At this stage, the building code has not specifically accounted for the use of flood-resilient materials for buildings in known flood-prone areas. However, if you have recently experienced a flood, are in the process of making a claim and wish to rebuild using flood-resilient materials, please contact your insurer to discuss the options available to you.
I work at a non-profit organisation; can I register for the Flood Resilient Suburbs – Business Resilience Program?
Non-profit organisations which are not owned or leased through Brisbane City Council, or any other government agency can register for the Program. Non-profits which are owned or leased through Brisbane City Council, or other government agencies are not eligible for the Program as they are eligible for the Rebuild and Recover Flood Resilient Communities program. Community-leased facilities in Brisbane are encouraged to view the resources on the Rebuild and Recover Flood Resilient Communities webpage. Please note that the Rebuild and Recover Flood Resilient Communities Program is currently closed to new entrants, but you can express your interest in the program, by contacting the Community Facilities Team on communityfacilities@brisbane.qld.gov.au
Be prepared for flooding
Brisbane City Council is committed to creating a more resilient city by ensuring residents, businesses and organisations are better prepared to endure future severe weather events. The free tools and information accessed through the below links can help Brisbane residents, businesses and organisations understand their property’s flood risk and how to prepare for future flood events:
Flood Awareness Map – To identify the likelihood and sources of flooding that may affect your property, sourced from the latest flood studies and models.
FloodWise Property Report – Download a FloodWise Property Report to understand the risk and type of flooding at a specific property to enable you to plan and build new habitable floor levels in accordance with Brisbane City Council’s requirements.
Brisbane Severe Weather Alert Service – Sign up to receive free alert notices of severe thunderstorms, destructive winds and potential flooding.
Visit Council’s be prepared web page for more information on how you can prepare yourself and your property for severe weather events.
Flood preparation, recovery and emergency phone numbers
Life-threatening emergencies: 000
Brisbane City Council: 07 3403 8888
State Emergency Service (SES): 132 500
Energex (power lines): 13 19 62
Queensland Urban Utilities: 13 26 57 (13 23 64 for emergencies)
Community Recovery Hotline: 1800 173 349
Lifeline: 13 11 14
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