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| FLYER ISSUE 10: OCTOBER 2025 | |
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Welcome to the October edition of the Floodplain Management Australia (FMA) Monthly Flyer. FMA President Sue Ribbons is on
leave this month, but you can catch up with her online at this month’s FMA Queensland Chapter Quarterly Meeting on 5 November, and in-person at the FMA NSW/ACT Chapter Quarterly Meeting on 13 November, more details later in this Flyer.
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FMA2026 FROM RISK TO RESILIENCE: ADVANCING FLOOD MANAGEMENT - CALL FOR ABSTRACTS CLOSES 9 DECEMBER
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The theme for the April 2026 FMA National Conference has been set: “From Risk to Resilience: Advancing Flood Management”. In an era of escalating uncertainty, this Conference will explore the development and implementation of flood risk management - moving from the reactive repair and recovery cycle towards informed,
resilience-driven strategies, policies and mitigation projects. We invite papers that navigate this transition by integrating strategic planning, proactive management, and innovation. FMA2026 is being hosted by the City of Gold Coast, and will be held at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre, Gold Coast’s premier event venue. The Call for Abstracts is now open, and the content can be technical or non-technical to suit our varied audience. You don’t need to be a “flood expert” to provide a presentation! We really value the practical experiences of Councillors, flood committee members and community representatives. Just be sure that your abstract aligns with one or more of the 12 topic areas provided on the Conference website. The closing date for abstracts is Tuesday 9 December 2025, so please start planning your presentation now. For the latest FMA Conference information see: floodplainconference.com, and reserve 21 to 24 April 2026 for the FMA National Conference in your calendar, diary and budget
now.
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THE OVERLAND FLOW FACT SHEET IS HERE!
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FMA has published a new Fact Sheet about Overland Flow, which can be downloaded at floods.asn.au/fact-sheets. This resource has been developed following requests from numerous FMA Members for a fact sheet to accompany Overland Flow Flood Studies going on Public Exhibition, and to help Members communicate with Councillors, Council officers, ratepayers and the general public. This is a plain-English, two-page explainer about what overland flow is and the types of impacts it can have. The Fact Sheet also addresses questions people may have about property values and insurance premiums in relation to overland flow. The Fact Sheet was developed by Communications Director Catherine Walker and Technical Director Will Prentice, and reviewed by over 10 FMA Members plus the Insurance Council of Australia. The FMA Executive Committee wishes to thank all contributors and reviewers for their input.
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BRISBANE FMA QUEENSLAND CHAPTER MEETING AND WORKSHOP
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Date: Wednesday 5 November, 2025 Place: AECOM Level 8, 540 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, Brisbane + Online Time: 12:00 Light Lunch 12:45 Meeting, updates from FMA and agencies 2:45 Workshop - Bridging the Gap: Enhancing Flood Risk Communication for Safer Communities The expert panel will include: - Daniel Sheehy (WRM) – re-presenting his Harold Sternback Medal winning presentation, Floodways and flooded roads – are we sending mixed messages to drivers?
- Sally Mills Murray (QRA) – discussing the ‘If its flooded, forget it’ campaign, its effectiveness and where to from here.
- Prof Amisha Mehta (QUT) – providing an overview of organisational and community perspectives on flood planning and warning materials in terms of language, terminology, and colours.
Please Note: AECOM’s policy and firm commitment to workplace hazards require that you do not attend the event on the day if you are feeling ill or subject to any government isolation order. To ensure we have space for you and to assist with
catering, please reserve your place at fma-novqld.eventbrite.com.au
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SYDNEY FMA NSW/ACT CHAPTER MEETING AND WORKSHOP
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Date: Thursday 13 November, 2025 Place: Mercure Hotel, 818-820 George Street, Sydney + Online Time: 10:00 Morning Tea for 10:30 Meeting. A light lunch will be available at the conclusion of the meeting Afternoon Workshop: Updates to the Implementation of Climate Change Guidance since the Release of ARR Version 4.2 - Presented by Leanne Haupt and Dr Angela Maharaj, from the National Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water.
The Workshop will provide an update on the work DCCEEW has been undertaking since the release of Australian Rainfall and Runoff (ARR) Version 4.2. In particular, we will hear about work to develop a tool to assist Councils and practitioners apply climate change estimates, as well as work currently being undertaken to develop guidance about selecting an appropriate climate change scenario / Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP).
Please register your
proposed attendance onsite or by Teams, at fma-novnsw.eventbrite.com.au
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CATASTROPHE REPORT SHOWS EACH DECADE COSTLIER THAN THE LAST
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The Insurance Council of Australia’s annual Insurance Catastrophe Resilience Report 2024/25 shows that each decade since 1980 has been costlier than the last, with Australians bearing an outsized burden in both insurance claims and economic losses compared to other developed nations – ranking second globally for more than four
decades. The report shows that there are 242,000 residential dwellings with the highest flood risk across Australia, and 77% do not have flood cover. The report states “As an industry that prices risk, insurers recognise that sustainable solutions require addressing root causes. This means investing in targeted mitigation infrastructure, funding programs and subsidies for retrofitting and house-raising, strengthening building codes for more resilient homes, and better land-use planning to prevent development in high-risk areas.” The report is available at: https://insurancecouncil.com.au/resource/insurance-catastrophe-resilience-report-2024-25/
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BUILDING A FLOOD RESILIENT CITY: GREATER MELBOURNE FLOOD INFORMATION PROGRAM
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The following article has been provided by FMA Member Melbourne Water: Melbourne Water, in
partnership with local councils, is updating flood data across Greater Melbourne through a multi-year program – the Greater Melbourne Flood Information Program. This program uses modelling to better understand current and future flood risks - helping to build a safer, more resilient city. For the first time, a whole-of-catchment approach integrates local council drainage systems with Melbourne Water’s regional network. Over 1,000 existing models are being replaced with 250 new catchment models, covering both waterways and stormwater systems. Flood information now includes the current day flood scenario as well as the projected 2100 flood scenario, factoring in climate change, which will allow for better planning and help to build long-term flood resilience across Melbourne. The updated flood maps also now include hazard classifications, rating each location from H1 to H6 based on floodwater depth and speed. Higher ratings indicate greater potential for damage, helping residents, developers and planners make safer, more informed decisions on future development. These hazard classifications follow the Australian Rainfall and Runoff Guidelines. To support the rollout, Melbourne Water is leading a community engagement program. Flood awareness can be a challenging topic, but it’s vital. Through online maps and community events, the program aims to raise awareness and help communities understand their flood risk and prepare effectively. Learn more: Greater Melbourne Flood Information Program | Melbourne Water
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PROPERTY VALUE FLOOD RISK REPORT
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The Climate Council has partnered with PropTrack to analyse what flood risk means for the individual and collective value of residential properties. They found flood risk has cost Australians $42.2 billion overall, with one in six homes at risk of flooding today. The report analyses more than 20 years of historical property data alongside flood risk. It finds that today, flood-prone homes in Australia are worth $42.2 billion less than they could have been without the risk of flood. The bulk of these properties are in Queensland, where flood risk has cost homeowners $19 billion as at April, 2025. The Gold Coast ranks highest within the state, with a collective $4.5 billion in value foregone across the region. NSW follows closely behind, with more than $14 billion foregone in flood-related value. The report is available at: PropTrack-Climate-Council-Property-Value-Flood-Risk-Report.pdf
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RESILIENT AUSTRALIA AWARDS NATIONAL CEREMONY LIVESTREAM
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The Resilient Australia Awards National Ceremony will be livestreamed via Zoom on 24 November. The Awards celebrate and promote
initiatives that build whole of community resilience to disasters and emergencies around Australia. The Awards recognise collaboration and innovative thinking across a broad range of sectors, and initiatives that strengthen disaster resilience with communities, institutions, and the private sector. Winners from each state and territory are considered for the National Awards, which are in 10 categories. Finalists will be announced shortly. The Resilient Australia Awards are sponsored by the Australian Government in partnership with the Australian
Institute for Disaster Resilience and the states and territories. For more information about the awards program, visit the website here.
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FROM OUR NZ CORRESPONDENT
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Sharyn Westlake, from Greater Wellington Regional Council, has advised us of the following webinars which may be of interest: Improving Flood Warning and Response 5 November, 10:00 AEDT Since 2019 FMA Member Greater Wellington has been improving its flood warning and response capability to improve its ability to respond to severe weather events. The objectives of the improvements program are to: - Reduce
the risk to life and damage to property from flooding through proactive emergency management.
- Establish a clear, consistent, cross agency response procedure to prepare, respond and recovery from flood events.
- Establish a warning system that
allows for proactive flood risk management by communities and emergency management.
- Build awareness in communities at risk of flooding to the risk they face and the actions they can take to protect themselves and their property.
This webinar will cover the flood risk in the Wellington Region, the structure and role of the flood incident management team, the improvements journey so far, and what’s to come next. The presenter is Andy Brown, Risk Management and Resilience Leader, Greater Wellington Regional Council. To register https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_XbOQxhzjS6Gp-Ukrz4N1lQ Nature-based Solutions
Feasibility Study – Multi-benefit Approaches to Building Westport’s Flood Resilience 11 November, 8:00am AEDT The West Coast Regional Council has been investigating how Nature-based Solutions (NbS) could complement traditional flood defences and enhance flood resilience for the greater Westport area. The project explored how working with natural processes - such as wetland restoration, riparian revegetation, dune replenishment, urban raingardens, and flood flow velocity reduction - could help address the multiple flood hazards
facing the region, including riverine, coastal, and pluvial flooding, while providing ecological and community co-benefits. The project leads and a technical specialist will share insights from the feasibility study, discuss lessons learned from modelling and design, and outline how
green and grey infrastructure can be integrated to build multi-benefit flood resilience for Westport. Presenters - Diana Rossiter – Project
Manager, Dextera Ltd
- Glenn Irving – Project Manager, Alternity Concepts Ltd
- Emma Content - Senior Landscape Architect, BECA
To register https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_fim1wSnCRxGFPYpfeLEoVA
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YFM MONTHLY FEATURE
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The FMA Young Floodplain Managers (YFM) network exists to represent, engage, and inspire young floodplain management professionals across Australia.
The objectives of the YFM are to: - collaborate and share knowledge through networking opportunities, mentorships with industry leaders, professional development workshops and events, and social media platforms and forums where YFMs can discuss key issues and share innovative ideas
- inspire and empower YFMs to share new ideas and engage in
industry discussions
- connect YFMs from across the public and private sectors as well as other young professional groups; and
- promote gender equality and diversity in all YFM activities and the broader industry.
Any floodplain manager is welcome to apply if committed to the objectives of the YFM. Whilst the YFM's mission is to represent, engage, support and inspire young floodplain management professionals across the nation, anyone who supports this objective is welcome to apply for membership of the YFM and engage in the group's actions, irrespective of their age or level of
experience. Find out more about YFM and upcoming YFM events at the YFM Linkedin page here.
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POSITIONS VACANT
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No current vacancies.
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TRAVELLING CONFERENCE SWAG
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Have you got a photo of your FMA Swag?
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