Environmental disaster recovery

• Recovering from a disaster event
• Previous disaster events

Australian landscapes and ecosystems have been shaped by adaptation and evolution through millennia of natural phenomena including flood, drought, fire and cyclones.

Unlike any other time in history, Queensland’s terrestrial, aquatic and marine environments are subject to a complex array of human-caused threatening processes (such as invasive species, land clearing, urbanisation and natural resource use), which have reduced the state’s natural resilience to large-scale natural events and man-made disasters. 

This, coupled with the anticipated escalation in extreme events in future years, means that components of Queensland’s environment and natural resources are more vulnerable to disaster than ever before.    

Disaster events that can affect the environment may include a cyclone, flood, storm, storm tide, tsunami, or other natural happening; an explosion or fire, a chemical, fuel or oil spill, or a gas leak; or, an infestation, plague or epidemic.

In Queensland, the most recent disaster events include flooding in western Queensland in 2012 and the floods and cyclones of 2010-2011.

The below table lists some of the potential environmental impacts from different types of disaster events:

Type of disaster	Associated environmental impact
Cyclone/severe storm	Loss of vegetation cover and wildlife habitat Short-term heavy rains and flooding inland Mud slides and soil erosion Saltwater intrusion to underground fresh water reservoirs Soil contamination from saline water Damage to offshore coral reefs and natural coastal defence mechanisms Waste (some of which may be hazardous) and debris accumulation Secondary impacts by temporarily displaced people Impacts associated with reconstruction and repair to damaged infrastructure (e.g. deforestation, quarrying, waste pollution)
Flood	Ground water pollution through sewage overflow Loss of crops, livestock and livelihood security Excessive siltation may affect certain fish stocks River bank damage from erosion Water and soil contamination fertilizers used Secondary impacts by temporarily displaced people Beneficial sedimentation in floodplains or close to river banks
Drought	Loss of surface vegetation Loss of biodiversity Forced human displacement Loss of livestock and other productive systems
Bushfires	Loss of forest and wildlife habitat Loss of biodiversity Loss of ecosystem services Loss of productive crops Soil erosion Secondary encroachment for settlement or agriculture

Sourced from UNEP (2008) Environmental Needs Assessment in Post-Disaster Situations: A Practical Guide for Implementation.

Recovering from a disaster event

Environmental recovery is defined by Queensland’s State Disaster Management Plan (PDF)* as including the restoration and regeneration of:

• biodiversity (species and plants) and ecosystems
• natural resources
• environmental infrastructure
• amenity/aesthetics (e.g. scenic lookouts), and
• culturally significant sites and heritage structures.

It also includes the management of environmental health, waste, contamination and pollution and hazardous materials.

Recovering the environment involves the coordinated process of supporting affected communities in:

• identifying and advising on environmental and cultural heritage impacts and risks. This may include air quality, water quality, soil and groundwater, landscapes, ecosystems and wildlife, heritage places and indigenous cultural heritage
• rehabilitating, conserving and supporting the natural recovery of impacted (or at risk) terrestrial, aquatic and marine ecosystems, wildlife, landscapes and natural resources
• restoring and conserving impacted (or at risk) cultural heritage values and places 
• supporting long-term community sustainability needs. This may include reinstating environmental protections and ecosystem services, and advancing Ecologically Sustainable Development principles in built environment recovery, economic recovery and waste management
• ensuring environmental bodies, affected communities and interest groups are involved in the decision making process.

Previous disaster events

Some of the events that have impacted Queensland’s environment in recent years include:

• Western Queensland floods 2012
• Statewide floods and cyclones 2010-2011 
• Shen Neng oil spill 2010 
• North Queensland’s Cyclone Ului 2010
• Central Queensland flooding 2008
• North Queensland’s Cyclone Larry 2006

For more about disaster management:

• www.disaster.qld.gov.au
• State Disaster Management Plan (PDF)*

* Requires Adobe Reader

Last updated 5 March 2012

Environmental disaster recovery

• Western Queensland floods 2012
• 2010-2011 disasters
• 2010 oil spill
• Resources and information