Why Brisbane has such a problem with flooding, and what can be done about it
Despite First Nations peoples’ knowledge of local flooding, Brisbane was established on a floodplain in 1824, creating a long-term and growing hazard. Efforts to reduce the risk have included construction of Somerset and Wivenhoe dams, reflecting a reliance on engineering to manage floods rather than planning, building controls and legislation to limit development on flood-prone land.
The floods of 1974, 2011 and 2022 have exposed the limits of this approach. And as climate change brings more extreme weather, Brisbane needs to rethink how it adapts to living with flooding.
Historian, Dr Margaret Cook, author of A River with a City Problem, will explore Brisbane’s flood history and open a discussion about how we might adapt to make our communities more resilient.
Join us at this free event sponsored by the Yeerongpilly and South-West Brisbane branches of the Qld Greens and the Oxley Creek Catchment Association.
Date & Time
Feb 18th, 2026 06:00 PM through toFeb 18th, 2026 09:00 PM
Location
The Archerfield Wetlands Community Hub 455 Bowhill Rd DurackBRISBANE Queensland 4077
Contact
- Phone:
- 0417 717 358
- Email:
- bennhw@gmail.com