CONCERNS about building in flood-prone areas have been raised by both local community advocates and the insurance industry as consultation on Queensland’s proposed State Planning Policy (SPP) overhaul draws to a close.

The State Government is reviewing the policy, which helps determine how and where development occurs, with proposed changes aimed at increasing housing supply, encouraging higher-density development and simplifying planning rules.

However, following last week’s heavy rain and flooding across the Sunshine Coast, questions about future development in areas vulnerable to natural disasters are particularly relevant.

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has warned that building new homes in areas exposed to floods, cyclones and storms will only compound Queensland’s housing problems.

In its submission, the ICA called for stronger consideration of natural hazards, consistent flood mapping and planning decisions that account for climate change projections through to 2075–2100.

Between 2022 and 2026, insurers received more than 214,000 claims in Queensland relating to declared extreme weather events – more than half the national total.

ICA Deputy CEO Kylie Macfarlane said planning decisions made today would have lasting consequences.

“Queensland needs more homes, and it needs them in the right places. Every home damaged by extreme weather competes for the same tradespeople and materials needed to build new ones, so getting location right helps housing supply as well as safety.”

Locally, community advocacy group Development Watch Inc has formally opposed the draft policy, raising concerns about its approach to flooding and climate change.

“We hold severe concerns regarding the proposed framework for natural hazards and safety. Our primary ground for objection is that the draft SPP fundamentally fails to advance the overarching statutory purpose of the Planning Act 2016.”

The group argues that relying on historical flood data rather than future climate projections could underestimate risks in vulnerable areas.

“Evaluating flood plain hazards using historical data rather than forward-looking climate projections directly violates Section 3 of the Act. In sensitive flood catchments such as the lower Maroochy River around Coolum, relying on static data will inevitably result in severe underestimation of flood heights and frequencies.”

The proposed SPP will influence local council planning schemes, making its final provisions particularly important for growing coastal communities.

While both organisations recognise the need to address housing demand, their submissions highlight concerns that increasing supply must not come at the expense of community safety and a homeowner’s ability to protect and insure their greatest asset.

Public consultation on the draft SPP closed yesterday and will now be reviewed.

Read the draft state planning policy here.

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