Queensland's Persistent Flood Woes: A Call for Resilient Rebuilding
Queensland's Persistent Flood Woes: A Call for Resilient Rebuilding
Although Townsville was spared the worst, the situation in Ingham remains grim, with the Herbert River experiencing major flooding. The waters rose to 14.94 meters at the Ingham Pump Station, surpassing the major flood threshold of 12 meters. Emergency services are on high alert as risk of further flooding persists, though river levels are expected to recede in the coming days.
State Premier David Crisafulli remarked positively on Townsville’s fortune, acknowledging, “There is no doubt that the city has dodged a bullet.” However, he emphasized the ongoing challenges in Ingham, recalling the devastating floods of 1967 as the town grapples with a similar disaster.
Meteorologist Miriam Bradbury from the Bureau of Meteorology reported scattered rains replacing the earlier deluge, easing some pressure but keeping vigilant watch over river systems. She cautioned that riverine flooding risks remain as water moves through the catchments.
The Premier highlighted the extensive damage across Ingham, noting the severely affected homes, businesses, and farms. “There have been people who have been inundated at home, at their businesses and in their farms,” he shared. In a decisive move towards resilience, he announced plans to rebuild critical infrastructure with disaster prevention in mind. “We are determined to build betterment into all that we do,” Crisafulli stated, underscoring the need to learn and improve from each disaster.
Insurance firms are mobilizing to support affected communities. IAG has processed around 100 claims and deployed additional staff to the region, with Suncorp and RACQ joining efforts to assist claims handling locally.
The floodwaters pose risks beyond immediate physical damage. Brodie West, President of the Restoration Industry Association, advised caution when dealing with contaminated floodwaters, which contain a myriad of hazards like soil bacteria, industrial waste, and heavy metals. She emphasized the importance of taking “the right approach… in particular drying and hazard removal” to mitigate health risks associated with floods.
While the insurance adjustments and government resolution provide some hope, the scale of recovery underscores the need for strategic rebuilding. Repurposing traditional infrastructure models towards ones that withstand future climate-driven challenges is crucial. As Premier Crisafulli mentioned: “Disasters will strike and communities understand that, but there’s no point continuing to do the same thing and expecting a different result.”
The source for this report was derived from Insurance News, capturing the ongoing developments and responses in the face of Queensland’s challenging flood conditions.
Published:Wednesday, 5th Feb 2025
Source: Paige Estritori
Share this news item:
| Queensland Integrates Heavy Vehicle Compliance with National Regulator 12 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori In a significant move towards regulatory uniformity, Queensland has transitioned its heavy vehicle compliance responsibilities to the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator (NHVR). This change, effective from February 19, 2024, positions Queensland alongside New South Wales, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, and the Australian Capital Territory in adopting a cohesive approach to heavy vehicle oversight. - read more |
| Elevated Road Risks Amid Holiday Freight and Travel Surge 12 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori As the Australian summer school holidays approach, a convergence of increased holiday travel and peak freight activity is raising concerns among insurers and transport specialists about heightened road risks. This period sees a significant uptick in both passenger vehicles and heavy trucks on the roads, amplifying the potential for accidents and necessitating heightened vigilance among all road users. - read more |
| Growing Collision Risks Challenge Australian Fleet Operators 12 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori Australia's transport and haulage sector is currently navigating a period of heightened operational risk, marked by an uptick in both the frequency and severity of motor collision claims. This trend underscores the pressing need for fleet operators to adopt proactive risk management strategies and leverage advanced insurance solutions to safeguard their operations. - read more |
| Calls for Super Funds to Accelerate Mental Health Insurance Claims Processing 11 Jan 2026: Paige Estritori Consumer advocates are raising concerns over significant delays in processing mental health-related insurance claims by Australian superannuation funds. As mental health conditions become a leading cause of total and permanent disability (TPD) claims, the efficiency of claim processing has come under scrutiny. - read more |
| The Single Parent’s Guide to Securing Your Child’s Financial Future Single parenting brings with it a mosaic of responsibilities and challenges, not least of which is securing a stable financial future for your child. The rollercoaster of raising a child alone often means that planning for the future can take a back seat to the day-to-day demands of parenting. Unexpected illnesses and injuries can compound these challenges, causing stress to multiply and plans to go awry. - read more
|
| Securing Your Family's Future: How Life Insurance Offers Peace of Mind Life is a tapestry of precious moments, each framed by the inevitable uncertainty that the future holds. The awareness that our paths are peppered with unpredictability can often cast a shadow of concern, affecting how we cherish the present. For many, the well-being of family remains the cornerstone of life's purpose, driving the need for a foundation that offers stability and reassurance in the face of life's unexpected challenges. - read more
|
| How to Determine the Right Income Protection Coverage for Your Needs Income protection insurance is a type of coverage designed to replace a portion of your income if you're unable to work due to illness or injury. - read more
|
| Income Protection Insurance: A Must-Have for Australian Adults Insurance is a crucial component of financial planning. While many Australians understand the importance of life insurance, there's another vital type of coverage that often gets overlooked: income protection insurance. - read more
|
The amount paid for an insurance policy, usually on a regular basis, to maintain coverage.