| FLYER ISSUE 3: MARCH
2021
| READ IN BROWSER https://archive.aweber.com/newsletter/awlist3776483/MzcwMjA5OA==/fma-flyer-3-march.htm
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NEXT FMA MEETING: 27 MAY 2021 AT FMA ONLINE NATIONAL CONFERENCE
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
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It’s not just about money!
We all know that floods cost more than any other natural disaster and that Australia spends 97% of flood related expenditure on recovery and clean up with only 3% on mitigation and prevention.
Whilst that must change, there are other questions we should also ask following the recent major flooding in NSW and Queensland.
Question 1: Why do people drive through flood waters?
Is it because they have pressing needs such as rescuing their children from school or checking on an elderly mother? What must we do to stop it?
I’m not aware of any research into the reasons so forgive me but perhaps we need to further research the reasons so we can better target our warnings and messages.
Question 2: Why don’t people evacuate until it’s too late?
Up to 40% of people fail to evacuate, why is that and what can we do about that?
We can’t just accept it as inevitable so do we require PMF refuges and/or improvements to evacuation routes?
Question 3: How did we come to allow this much residential development in such a high flood risk areas as the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley in NSW?
This is beyond me and more a question for our government Planning Ministers.
Question 4: Where do we go from here, and what do we tell the 55,000 people on the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley who may be affected when a future flood event reaches the 1% AEP flood or higher?
Another question for our Planning Ministers.
So it’s not only about money as there are many other questions we need to ask. The impact of flooding is not only property damage costs but there is also a huge social impact to be considered when people have lost everything, are living with in-laws for extended periods, losing their businesses, fighting insurance companies, and facing divorce and even suicide. The people affected by these recent major floods
in NSW and Queensland will be left with the heartache and repairs now that the TV cameras and politicians have moved on.
I hope one day we can find answers to all of these questions.
ID
Ian Dinham | FMA President
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EXCELLENCE AWARDS EXTENDED
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We have exciting news – it’s not too late!
Due to the recent severe weather, we will be extending the FMA Excellence Awards nominations period until 11.59pm Tuesday 6 April.
Nominations are open for:
FMA NRMA 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 Three Day Registration to the 2022 FMA National Conference at Toowoomba + Crystal Trophy + Luxury Hamper
FMA YFM Young Floodplain Manager of the Year Award
Prize – Full Three Day Registration to the 2022 FMA National Conference at Toowoomba + Crystal Trophy + Luxury Hamper
As we were unable to hold the Awards last year due to the pandemic, we have expanded the eligibility timeline for Projects – now, any projects that you have worked on in the past 24 months (not 12 months as in previous years) will be eligible for nomination (provided they align with the other eligibility criteria outlined in the Information Sheet).
We want, more than anything, to showcase your great work and inspire our Members to create the most resilient nation possible. (Plus, $10k can go a long way towards your flood work…)
So, take this opportunity to fill out your submission (it only takes 10 minutes), and celebrate your excellent work or a colleague who inspires you.
You can find your Information and Nomination forms online at floods.org.au/ea.
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2021 ONLINE NATIONAL CONFERENCE UPDATE
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Registrations are now open for the 2021 Online Floodplain Management Australia Conference with Early Registrations Rates available until 5pm on Friday 16 April.
This year’s theme is “Essential Knowledge for a Flood Resilient Future”, will focus on the latest developments and achievements in flood and emergency management to assist in identifying, planning for, and managing flood risks, and building disaster resilient communities.
Attendees will hear motivational and innovative presentations from outstanding keynote speakers and industry professionals and can take part in interactive Q&As with each of the presenters.
NEW KEYNOTE SPEAKER
FMA is pleased to announce the latest Keynote Speaker for the 2021 Online Conference - Chad Berginnis.
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Mr Berginnis is the Executive Director for the Association of State Floodplain Managers (ASFPM) in the United States, and has 28 years of experience in various aspects of natural hazard management, flood loss reduction, and land use planning / programs at the state, local and private sector level.
Chad is a recognised national expert in floodplain management and hazard mitigation, having participated on national research / focus groups, providing agency (FEMA, USACE, OMB, CRS, IG, CBO, various states) and Congressional testimony, and was selected to participate on an advisory panel to the Chinese Government on the development of a national floodplain management strategy.
He recently served on a National Academies of Science committee on urban flooding. Chad is also currently an advisory board member for the Coastal Resilience Center at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill and for the Natural Hazards Center at the University of Colorado-Boulder. He is also past Insurance Committee Chair, Mitigation Policy Committees’ Coordinator, Vice Chair, and Chair of
ASFPM Mr. Berginnis holds a Bachelor of Science in natural resources from Ohio State University and is a Certified Floodplain Manager.
To register for the Online Conference, visit floodplainconference.com.
Media Release: How Long Must We Wait for Effective Flood Protection?
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22 March 2021
As the NSW flood crisis continues to unfold Floodplain Management Australia President Ian Dinham has praised the efforts of the NSW State Emergency Service, assisted by NSW Rural Fire Service members.
“With over 8,000 calls for assistance and more than 800 flood rescues from the mid-north coast to the Illawarra since the weather system started and more rain to fall in coming days, the emergency services volunteers will be exhausted, but still dedicated until of all this is over”, Mr Dinham said.
“Every time we have a natural disaster we rely on the SES to solve our problems instead of preparing for such events with better investment in preventative measures as recommended in last year’s Royal Commission into Natural Disasters report.”
“And each time the disaster subsides it is then up to the local councils to deal with the recovery and clean up at the expense of our local communities. Then we find our insurance premiums increase and the mums and dads pay for it again.”
Deloitte Access Economics estimates that natural disasters currently cost over $560 million per year and are forecast to rise to more than $39 billion per year in real terms by 2050.
Mr Dinham said for the past 60 years FMA has been advocating for government policies and strategies to focus on reducing future flood losses, rather than encouraging repeated repair and replacement of damaged buildings and infrastructure after floods.
“But governments come and go without seriously addressing the problem. The Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley in western Sydney, where evacuations are presently underway, is one such example. It has been described as Australia’s largest untreated flood exposure.
“With 60,000 people living on the floodplain below Warragamba Dam, which is currently spilling over, one has to ask how long must we wait for effective flood protection for the Hawkesbury-Nepean community?
“Australia needs a whole of government response to flooding as recommended in the 2014 Productivity Commission report on Natural Disaster Funding Arrangements.
“However, as we watch this current crisis we can only hope the SES and other emergency service personnel can continue to help people until it’s over and the television coverage goes back to normal. Then FMA will again seek to work with all levels of government to plan ahead for the next big flood disaster.”
To read more FMA Media Releases at floods.org.au/site/releases
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MEDIA RELEASE: FINANCIAL SUPPORT ESSENTIAL TO IMPLEMENT FLOOD PLANS
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25 March 2021
The serious flooding underway across Queensland provides a timely reminder that flooding has become an annual event - floods will happen somewhere in Queensland every year.
Queensland has jumped to the front in terms of economic cost of natural disasters in Australia, averaging $11 billion per year between 2007 and 2017.
This equates to 60% of the national cost over this period. Flood events account for 66% of this cost. Add to this the further massive flooding since then, such as in Townsville in 2019, and we can expect this trend to continue to get worse.
Floodplain Management Australia (FMA) President, Ian Dinham, said that the Queensland Reconstruction Authority has done a fantastic job getting things done since the 2011 floods but continuing financial support and stewardship are crucial if we are to ever get on top of flood risk.
“Continued financial support is needed for Councils to roll out catchment resilience planning and flood risk management plans beyond the Brisbane River catchments and see them completed state wide”, Mr Dinham said.
FMA Queensland Director, William Prentice, said there needs to be an urgency on finalising the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry recommendations and providing continued support for local governments to implement risk-based planning schemes.
“With COVID-19 taking up most of our attention in the last year, it would be easy to let floodplain management fall off the radar but, whether we like it or not, the reality is that flooding is happening all across Queensland year after year”, Mr Prentice said.
To read more FMA Media Releases at floods.org.au/site/releases
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BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL SEEKING 'SOFTWARE AS A SERVICE'
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FMA Member Brisbane City Council is currently seeking suppliers who are able to provide a complete “Software as a Service” for their online flood information.
If you are interested in finding out more, you can visit the QTenders page here.
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FMA would like to welcome its latest Members. This month has seen Logan City Council from Queensland and an individual Member from the United States join our Membership.
Logan City Council
Logan City is situated between the City of Brisbane to the north and the City of Gold Coast to the south, and also borders the Scenic Rim Region, the City of Ipswich, and Redland City LGAs. The City has two major rivers - the Logan River and the Albert River, and in addition
there are 54 creeks and a further 30 floodplain areas. Logan City Council is committed to maintaining its knowledge of best-practise floodplain management by being an active industry participant.
You can find out more about Logan City Council at https://www.logan.qld.gov.au/
David Powers, P.E., PH, D.WRE, CFM
David Powers serves as one of two co-chairs of the US Association of State Floodplain Managers’ (ASFPM} International Committee. He is interested in better understanding flood risk management practices in Australia, and in seeing where emerging and established practices in Australia could inform FRM in the US, and elsewhere. FMA Deputy President Allan Gear and Mr Powers, together with Mark Forest from US Member HDR, have been holding discussions concerning improved collaboration and knowledge sharing between the US and FMA.
If you are interested in joining Floodplain Management Australia's ever-expanding network of flood professionals from around the nation and the world, please visit floods.org.au/membership.
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FLOOD COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE EVENT 27 APRIL
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This April, the Flood Community of Practice will be holding an interactive two hour face-to-face seminar focusing on Where Have Influences on Building Flood Resilience in Queensland Come From?
The event will run from 3.30pm – 6pm at QUT in Queensland on April 27, and will investigate what has influenced the way various professionals have thought and gone about their roles over the past 10 years.
Was it:
Past approaches and what you learnt at University?
Experiences and ideas from overseas?
National directions?
Local adaptation and home grown thinking?
What were:
The areas of influences,
The frameworks or principles underpinned the thinking and
Who were the types of other practitioners that have influenced our thinking and practices?
Online registration and further information is available at https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/where-have-influences-on-building-flood-resilience-in-queensland-come-from-tickets-148691651733
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The QLD Chapter of Young Floodplain Managers are hosting an online webinar and networking session on the 14 April 12:00PM – 1:00PM AEST. Dwayne Honor will join us to tell us about his career, how it has been shaped by flooding in Bundaberg and some of his lessons-learnt. Dwayne is an accomplished floodplain manager with experience in response and recovery and also has
led a number of flood studies and floodplain risk management studies.
As part of this session, we are incorporating a networking component where attendees are able to separate into small groups and discuss key points and any questions from Dwayne’s presentation before re-joining for the Question and Answer session. For more information about the event and about Dwayne, please see the EventBrite page via the link below. It should be a really good session, so don’t forget to
register.
https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/dont-wait-for-the-next-flood-3-lessons-youll-wish-youd-known-tickets-146692963603
To find out more about the network of Young Floodplain Managers and how to join, visit floods.org.au/yfm.
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UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS
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TRAVELLING CAPS AND BEANIES
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Do you have an FMA Cap or Beanie photo you'd like to share with Flyer readers?
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