Flood risk and stormwater management
The effects of rainfall run-off vary depending on factors such as the extent and intensity of rainfall, catchment topography, and land use. Large amounts of run-off can cause damaging flood flows, while smaller amounts in towns and cities must be managed to meet safety and convenience expectations, as well as protecting the environment.
The department’s activities in flood risk and stormwater management include:
- publishing and maintaining the Queensland Urban Drainage Manual
- developing policy
- providing technical support for flood mitigation subsidy programs
- participating on flood study steering committees
- assisting with the administration of the State Planning Policy on mitigating the adverse impacts of flood, bushfire and landslide (SPP 1/03)
- safety of flood mitigation structures (such as dams and detention basins) where failure could endanger lives or property (refer Dam Safety).
Stormwater management
The Queensland Urban Drainage Manual is a guideline for engineers and designers planning and designing urban stormwater systems in Queensland.
The manual considers:
- hydrologic and hydraulic procedures
- environmental and legal issues
- technical and regulatory aspects
- appropriate design methods
- computational procedures.
Flood management
Assessing flood damage
Guidance on the assessment of tangible flood damages (PDF, 121K)* published in September 2002 to provide information to help applicants to the Regional Flood Mitigation Program (RFMP) assess tangible flood damages (i.e. those that can be estimated in dollars).
The RFMP ceased in June 2007, however this document remains relevant to the economic assessment of flood mitigation options.
The guide focuses on estimating the value of potential physical damage that flood inundation may cause to property and infrastructure in an urban environment. It also explains the common methods and approaches used for estimating this damage, and converting the result to an average annual damage figure, which is necessary to calculate costs and benefits.
This guide is consistent with broadly accepted methods, including those described in Report 73 of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Resource Management (SCARM) Series, Floodplain Management in Australia: Best Practice Principles and Guidelines (CSIRO Publishing 2000).
For further information email: OWSR enquiries with the subject line, Guidance on the Assessment of Tangible Flood Damages; or phone (07) 3239 3226.
Best practice principles
Floodplain management in Australia: best practice principles and guidelines (2000) defines the context of floodplain management and includes guidelines for develop the best practice principles further. It also deals with practical issues that should be considered as part of the floodplain management process.
Contact CSIRO Publishing to obtain a copy of this publication.
Contact us
If you have problems downloading any of the above documents please contact:
Office of the Water Supply Regulator
GPO Box 2454
Brisbane 4001
Email: Office of the Water Supply Regulator
* Requires Adobe Reader
Last updated 18 October 2011