We are delighted to announce the Keynote Speakers for this year’s Floodplain Management Australia National Conference:

Brendan Moon, Coordinator-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). Mr Moon was appointed in 2022 to oversee the operations of the newly created NEMA which was established following the widespread disastrous flooding earlier that year.

Bhiamie Williamson, a Euahlayi man from north-west NSW. Bhiamie is proud to lead the National Indigenous Disaster Resilience Program. A geographer, Bhiamie has studied and worked with Indigenous communities throughout Australia, Canada, and the United States. 

We are also pleased to announce that two more state agencies have come on board as major sponsors:
 

Victorian Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action – Gold Sponsor

NSW State Emergency Service – Silver Sponsor

The Conference program is close to being finalised, and will feature more than 100 presentation choices over four specialised streams. 

For those involved with hydrologic modelling a pre-conference training session will be available. Dr Chris Ryan, from Catchment Simulation Systems, will be facilitating a workshop: A hands-on introduction to a simple Monte Carlo engine compatible with all major Australian hydrologic models.

If your interests are less technical there is a Workshop on Implementing flood research from Victoria and South Australia, with Natural Hazards Research Australia, RMIT University and Macquarie University.

A special treat is in store for Wednesday evening with the Casual Dinner confirmed at the Australian Sports Museum, Melbourne Cricket Ground, just a short walk from the Conference venue.

Mayors and Councillors will benefit from this Conference – it’s not just for technical people. Anyone with responsibilities in flood risk management will benefit from the case studies of recent flood events. This is a great opportunity to learn what happened, what worked, what didn’t work, and how to plan better for the next flood.

Early registration discounts are available until 28 March.

Details are at: floodplainconference.com

The 2025 Excellence Awards are open again for another year, and now is the time to submit your entries.

The FMA Excellence Awards publicly recognise the outstanding contribution of our organisations and individuals in Australia and/or New Zealand towards promoting wise land use planning, reducing flood impacts, managing flood incidents or restoring communities after a flood event.

The FMA Excellence Awards are the highlight of our National Conference each year, and they offer the invaluable opportunity to showcase the incredible work professionals in the field of flood risk management have undertaken in the past 12 months.

The Excellence Awards are split into three categories:
 

FMA-IAG Flood Risk Management Project of the Year Award

Prize - $10,000 towards your flood work + Crystal Trophy + Luxury Hamper

FMA-Allan Ezzy Flood Risk Manager of the Year Award 

Prize – Full Registration to the 2026 FMA Conference + Crystal Trophy + Luxury Hamper

FMA-IAG Young Floodplain Manager of the Year Award

Prize – Full Registration to the 2026 FMA Conference + Crystal Trophy + Luxury Hamper

The winners of the 2025 Excellence Awards will be announced at the FMA National Conference at Melbourne on the 15th May.

Information Sheets and Nomination Forms are available at floods.asn.au/ea.

Nominations close Midnight Friday 21 March.

Pictured: FMA President Sue Ribbons in Melbourne.

In the lead up to the FMA 2025 National Conference in Melbourne in May, FMA and Stormwater Victoria partnered our first joint technical and networking event on the 2024 Climate Change Update to ARR on Tuesday 25 February at the BECA Event Space in Melbourne. With more than 100 people registered for the event, it was a sell out! 

The release of ARR v4.2 marks a significant shift in how climate change impacts are modelled, particularly in relation to rainfall and losses. 

Queensland’s City of Moreton Bay has completed a major update to its Flood Database, and launched a new city-wide education campaign to help residents understand what this means for them.

This project is part of ongoing work that began in 2012 under the previously named Regional Floodplain Database to continuously update flood information. Queensland Members may recall an FMA Workshop in February 2016, where Moreton Bay’s impressive disaster dashboard and flood report generating system were discussed.

Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said “The 2022 floods are still firmly in the minds of many residents who experienced devastating losses and damage to their homes in Moreton Bay.

“Data from rainfall events like this, as well as upgrades to technology and new professional guidelines, have allowed us to improve our City Flood Database using industry-leading methods for greater accuracy.

“This means that some areas are now classed as higher risk when compared to the previously available information.

“Approximately 9,300 properties will receive letters over the coming days notifying them that their risk has increased and what their next steps should be.

“A city-wide campaign has also been launched to build awareness of flood risk for all residents. Some 1,400 properties show reduced risk based on the new data, so we encourage all residents to familiarise themselves with the changes.”

FMA President Sue Ribbons has publicly praised the project, saying “I am delighted to hear that City of Moreton Bay has released updated and more accurate flood mapping for rivers and creeks across its Local Government Area.

“Ready access to this type of information by council, residents and businesses is vital for better understanding of flood risk.”

Further information is at: City of Moreton Bay’s website.

Image: Maitland City Council

Maitland City Council is marking the 70th anniversary of the historic 1955 Hunter Valley flood with a string of initiatives designed to honour the resilience and recovery of the Maitland community.

The 1955 flood, which inundated all but two hectares of land in Maitland, was one of Australia’s first natural disasters to be broadcast globally, leaving an enduring legacy on the city and its people. 

A commemorative event was held at the Maitland Administration Centre on Saturday 22 February, with an official remembrance ceremony, an SES rescue and DUKW aquatic military vehicle display, community BBQ, and the official opening of FLOOD LEVEL 1955 – A Historical Exhibition. 

The three-week exhibition will feature equipment used during flood responses, a refurbished flood boat and a range of fashion, historical images, video footage, and displays dedicated to flood education. 

Maitland City Council has also unveiled Beyond the Flood Levels, a self-guided walking tour that explores Maitland’s flood history through immersive, interactive experiences using augmented reality and digital storytelling. 

Maitland Mayor Philip Penfold said “The 1955 flood is a defining chapter in Maitland’s history. It reminds us of the challenges we’ve faced and celebrates the strength and unity that helped us rebuild. 

“This anniversary honours the resilience and spirit of Maitland’s people while remembering the profound impact of that historic event.” 

The 1955 Hunter Valley flood caused massive damage to homes, businesses and farms, and the loss of 14 lives, but also resulted in the establishment of the NSW State Emergency Service and the first coordinated efforts to reduce future flood risks in New South Wales.

The Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme comprises of over 170 kilometres of levees and flood control structures designed to reduce, but not eliminate, the risk of another 1955 type disaster occurring. 

Read about the Hunter Valley Flood Mitigation Scheme at: https://water.dpie.nsw.gov.au/our-work/floodplain-management/hunter-valley-mitigation-scheme

More on the Maitland 1955 Flood Commemoration at: https://www.maitland.nsw.gov.au/news/how-maitland-will-mark-70-years-since-the-historic-1955-hunter-valley-flood

For a collection of newspaper articles relating to the 1955 Maitland flood see: https://collections.maitland.nsw.gov.au/objects/7754/collection-of-newspaper-articles-relating-to-the-1955-maitland-flood

The Insurance Council of Australia has released a policy document calling for a comprehensive range of initiatives that will protect hundreds of thousands of Australians living in harm’s way from natural disasters, as well as improve insurance affordability outcomes for homeowners and businesses.

The policy document, Advancing Australia’s Resilience, is a call for a Flood Defence Fund – a $30.15 billion investment over 10 years to protect the country’s most at-risk catchments in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.

Policy recommendations for the next Australian Government include: 

• Strengthen the Disaster Ready Fund
• Enhance data and flood mapping
• Improve disaster response and funding arrangements
• Improve land use planning
• Enhance building resilience.

Read more at: https://insurancecouncil.com.au/resource/insurers-call-for-flood-defence-fund-to-future-proof-australia/

The NSW Government has released its response to the Report of the Inquiry 'Planning system and the impacts of climate change on the environment and communities'.

Land Use Planning Director Paul Grech and then Communications Director Sue Ribbons represented FMA at a hearing of the Inquiry in March 2024, speaking in support of FMA’s 2023 submission to the Inquiry.  They spoke on a range of issues including determining and communicating risk, tolerable and intolerable risk, and strategic planning.

The Report of the Inquiry contained no meaningful flood risk management recommendations.

The Report and Government Response to the 18 recommendations are available on the Inquiry website along with submissions and transcripts

FMA Members Cabonne Council, NSW State Emergency Service and Bluemont recently held a training day deploying Boxwall Mobile Flood Barriers in Molong, in the NSW Central West region.

Large parts of Cabonne Shire, including Molong and Eugowra, were devastated by flash flooding in November 2022. Cabonne Council subsequently purchased the relocatable flood barriers after successfully applying for a Disaster Ready Fund Grant.

A Channel 7 local news clip shows 450 metres of barrier being installed in the Molong CBD in two hours: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1180190550195124

Sharyn Westlake, from Greater Wellington Regional Council in New Zealand, has alerted us to the following upcoming events:

Auckland floods 2023: Assessing risk to life from flooding at the property level

Webinar 4 March 2025 

Extreme weather events of early 2023 caused widespread flooding in the Auckland region. In response, Auckland Council initiated a rapidly evolving programme of work to quantify and understand the magnitude of the events and their impacts on the community, support and shape the wider recovery effort, and to develop the frameworks and tools that would be needed to enable the assessment of affected properties for potential buyout or risk mitigation works.

The presentation discusses how these, and other challenges were addressed in the development and application of the Property-level Risk Assessment Framework.

Presenter Fiona MacDonald. To register: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_0HnRJoVPTueuUOG01r8ASA#/registration

Ex Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle Hawkes Bay Land Categorisation

Webinar 25 March 2025 

In February 2023 the east coast of Te Ika-a-Māui/ the North Island of Aotearoa New Zealand was severely impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Gabrielle (ETC Gabrielle), leaving a trail of destruction and 9 fatalities. In the weeks following that event central Government instructed local councils to categorise the risk of continued occupation of impacted residential properties, with the highest risk subject to a voluntary Crown ‘buy-out’. 

Information at: https://www.resilientrivers.nz/development-programme

Strategic Overview of Rivers & Catchments: Geomorphology & River Management

20 - 21 October 2025 Wellington

Familiarity with key principles in fluvial geomorphology and their application to various river management situations (e.g., catchment (and regional) planning, sediment flux issues, and relation to flood hazards). Build familiarity with key principles in fluvial geomorphology and their application to various river management situations.

Cost: $950.00 plus GST for 2-day course. 

For more information check out https://www.resilientrivers.nz/development-programme

New Zealand Rivers Group Conference February 2026

The next Manatiaki Kōawa | New Zealand Rivers Group Conference will be held in conjunction with the 11th International Conference on Geomorphology, from 2 to 6 February 2026, at Christchurch.

Registration covers the entire conference so that attendees can benefit from sessions that explore other rivers-related sessions, as well as the diversity of the science and management of geomorphology - from mountains to coasts, landslides to glaciers.

Abstracts are open now and close 31 May 2025. More information at https://www.confer.co.nz/icg2026/catchment-processes-and-management/

This month, after the Queensland Chapter Meeting, the QLD Young Floodplain Managers organised a productive and enjoyable networking session at the Stone and Wood Brewery in Brisbane. We look forward to getting to know more of you at the upcoming FMA Conference in May.