FLOOD FACT SHEET - Bundaberg Regional Council

FLOOD FACT SHEETInfrastructure & Planning Services(as at 25 March 2013)Temporary Local Planning Instrument 2013 (TLPI) and Natural Hazard Management Area (NHMA)Bundaberg Regional Council was hit with its highest flood in recorded history with the Burnett River peaking on the29 January 2013 at 9.53m at the Bundaberg City gauge.Council has prepared a Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) to facilitate short term planning requirementsregarding management of land use issues immediately following the 2013 Flood event. Council recognises thatthe 2013 event affected catchments outside the Burnett River and is reviewing the data from these events toformulate an appropriate flood response for these localities. As approximately 80% of the flood damage occurredwithin the Burnett River catchment, Council has given priority to this locality for the most immediate floodresponse.The TLPI has been developed to guide building and development in flood affected parts of Bundaberg RegionalCouncil affected by the January 2013 Burnett River Flood.What is a Temporary Local Planning Instrument(TLPI)?A TLPI is a land use planning instrument that isintroduced generally as a temporary measure tomanage impacts from issues such as flood. The TLPIapplies to development in the areas identified in therelevant maps and must comply with the new BurnettRiver Flood Hazard Code as outlined in the TLPI.Is my property affected by the TLPI and NHMA?The TLPI and NHMA applies to all land wholly orpartially affected by the January 2013 Burnett RiverFlood event.To view the TLPI Maps, please visit the Building &Planning Flood Recovery Team page on Council’swebsite at: www.bundaberg.qld.gov.auHow does the TLPI affect my property?The TLPI assists in achieving an improved floodresilience of properties by:1. Confirming the Habitable Floor Level adopted bythe Natural Hazard Management Area;2. Allowing houses to be raised higher than the2013 event to a maximum overall height of 9.5mabove natural ground level on standardresidential lots;3. Changing the level of assessment for newdwellings requiring a town planning application forthose dwellings that are proposed less than theDefined Flood level and those dwellings thatexceed 9.5m overall height and4. Introducing additional requirements for filling anexcavation including additional technicalstandards and requirements for propertiesaffected by a creek, waterway and Burnett Riverflooding.What is a Natural Hazard Management Area(NHMA)?The purpose and general effect of the Natural HazardManagement Area (flood) and declared flood levels isto provide minimum flood immunity for housing andother development within areas affected by floodingfrom the Burnett River.The Natural Hazard Management Area will requireBuilding Certifiers to assess any building approvalsagainst MP 3.5 of the Queensland DevelopmentCode, which outlines requirements for construction ofbuildings in flood hazard areas. This includes buildingto a habitable floor height above the Defined FloodLevel and using flood resistant building materials.This mapping with the TLPI also identifies areas offlood waters with high velocities. Dwellingsconstructed within areas of water velocities greaterthan 1.5m/sec will require a structural engineer tocertify the dwelling.What does the Burnett River Defined Flood Levelmean?The Defined Flood Level (DFL) is the based upon theJanuary 2013 Flood Event of a peak flood height of9.53m at the Bundaberg gauge. The mapping thatPO Box 3130, Bundaberg QLD 4670 190 Bourbong Street, Bundaberg QLD 4670T 1300 883 699 F 4150 5410 E ceo@bundaberg.qld.gov.au W www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au ABN 72 427 835 198

forms part of the TLPI has heights for individualproperties.Does the TLPI impose minimum floor levels?Yes – minimum floor levels are required for habitablespaces of new dwellings or dwellings being raised toimprove flood resilience.The minimum habitable floor level is the Burnett RiverDefined Flood Event plus 300mm. The minimum nonhabitablefloor level will remain unchanged (whichincludes non-residential properties). If repairing ahouse like for like, the standard in the TLPI does notapply.However, Council is strongly encouraging residents toadopt this standard as this will provide better floodresilience in the future.How do I determine the habitable floor level on myproperty?To determine the minimum habitable floor levels ofyour property, please contact Council’s Building &Planning Flood Recovery Team on 1300 883 699.Council can provide a report on the 2013 flood levelfor the property, ground levels and a calculatedminimum habitable floor level upon request.My house has been identified as structurallyunsound and needs to be demolished. Can Irebuild on the site?This is dependant on the underlying zoning of theland. Please contact Council’s Building & PlanningFlood Recovery Team for further advice about yourland.If I need a development approval under the TLPI,what will it cost?Council will be providing free pre-lodgement advice forflood affected properties where these proposalsinclude improved flood resilience. During the twelvemonth operating period of this TLPI, Council will notbe charging application fees for any applications thatare assessable only against the Burnett River FloodHazard Area Code.How long will it take for my application to beapproved?Council will fast track flood related applications.Approval times will depend upon the complexity andtype of applications. Proposed timeframes can beprovided as part of the pre-lodgement advice.FOR MORE INFORMATION please visit Council’swebsite at www.bundaberg.qld.gov.au or contactCouncil’s Building & Planning Flood RecoveryTeam on:Telephone:1300 883 699; orEmail: floodrecoveryteam@bundaberg.qld.gov.auDFL – Defined Flood Level HFL – Habitable Floor LevelDo I have to raise the height of my home?No - but Council is strongly encouraging residents toraise dwellings where possible to the Burnett RiverDefined Flood Height as this will provide better floodresilience into the future.