Flood maps

We need to understand and manage flood risk to:

• keep people safe
• protect property and assets
• support our emergency response in times of disaster
• help make better decisions about where future houses and infrastructure can go
• build community resilience to reduce future impact.

Logan lives with flooding. We have 2 major rivers (Logan and Albert) and around 90 creeks. Flood studies for each river catchment tell us:

• what may happen in floods of different sizes and likelihoods, from a small/frequent flood up to a very extreme/rare flood
• how deep and fast floodwaters may be in different areas by simulating floods using computer models.

• The Queensland Government has mandated a risk-based approach in response to the findings of the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry.
• A risk-based approach considers both likelihood and impact for all natural hazards including floods.
• The likelihood and impact of floods varies in different areas of our city. Different types of flooding also behave differently (e.g. river compared to creek compared to stormwater run-off). A risk-based approach allows us to tailor the policy so that we don't apply a 'one size fits all' restriction and can more appropriately guide future development to protect people and property.

• A specialist consultant will begin an independent review of the Logan and Albert Rivers Flood Study in February, as endorsed at a Special Council meeting in November 2025. The review is being delivered in response to community concerns about the accuracy of Council’s flood studies to determine if the methods are fit for purpose and what areas can be improved.
• We are investigating a number of key elements of the flood risk mapping and policy following community feedback on Logan Plan. These include:
  • Low flood risk areas: investigate changes to the Low Flood Risk Area to better communicate its purpose and regulatory role in the planning scheme
  • High flow areas: investigate allowing open structures, such as carports, where safely designed and the floodplain function is protected
  • Small-scale house extensions: investigate an increase in area for the small scale threshold without requiring an assessment against the Flood Overlay Code
  • Isolation and evacuation: review and investigate an increase in the shelter-in-place allowance for new homes or additional bedrooms on existing residential lots
  • Dry (ephemeral) creeks and minor gullies: investigate alternate options for communicating and managing risk in ephemeral creeks and minor gullies
  • Flood Portal: explore improvements to the Logan Flood Portal and Property Flood Report to achieve a more user-friendly experience for the community, while preserving the portal’s use for industry customers
• A report will come back to a future Special Council meeting with the outcomes of the investigations and recommended changes.

• Council is focusing on its flood risk policy as a priority because the majority of submissions related to this. We have heard the message loud and clear. We are also reviewing all other submissions received. Each step will take time, as Council needs to consult with technical experts, the Queensland Government and other stakeholders, and seek legal review of proposed changes.
• Council will update the community as milestones are reached as we know people are interested in the outcomes.

Flood mapping gives important information that lets you understand potential flood risk on your property. For most properties in the mapped area, development is still possible. If you'd like specific advice please contact Council.

• Each step will take time. Council needs to consult with technical experts, the Queensland Government and other stakeholders, and seek legal review of any proposed changes to the draft planning scheme.
• Council is reviewing more than 4,000 submissions received during public consultation in September and October 2025. Many of these submissions include multiple points, each of which may relate to different matters. We need to review, consider and respond to every individual point made in the submissions.
• We're also reviewing the timeline for Logan Plan as a result of the significant volume of submissions received and our work to prioritise flood risk policy.
• This flood risk policy work is likely to delay the implementation of Logan Plan, but Council is committed to working with the community and other key stakeholders (including the Queensland Government) to ensure our policies are appropriate and meet legislative requirements.

We are not making any decisions about, or changes to, Logan Plan at this stage. It's important that we review all submissions to ensure we identify, understand and carefully consider all of the matters raised.

It was very clear, in relation to the proposed flood overlay, that some of the same key issues were being raised by a lot of people. We are prioritising the investigation of those issues but won't be making any changes to the draft planning scheme until we've got a clear picture of all the issues raised.

As part of the consultation process, a Consultation Report will be published on Council’s website. Given the volume of submissions, and the legal process involved, this will be later in 2026.

We have mapped out a proposed schedule of milestones and how we will communicate progress at those points to affected residents and the wider community. Some of the timing may change due to the requirement for Queensland Government approvals and legal reviews. We'll do our best to communicate changes to the proposed schedule as soon as we can. We’ll continue to be open and transparent with the community and share information as we progress with Logan Plan. Refer to the Communication timeline above.

You should speak with your insurer in the first instance. If you feel your property insurance has been unfairly impacted, please share the details with Mayor Jon Raven via mayor@logan.qld.gov.au. The Mayor is meeting with insurance companies to discuss this issue.