The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has welcomed the Queensland Government’s new flood-mapping initiative following months of talks about floodplain vulnerabilities.

Premier Anna Bligh announced the changes at the weekend, saying it will help councils to strengthen the connection between land use planning and floodplain management.

“This is a new broader approach to floodplain mapping developed on a whole-of-catchment view rather than council by council,” she said. “Our river systems do not stop at local government boundaries.

“The maps do not show a defined flood event, but rather areas where, based on geological evidence, we know there has previously been inundation or there is a probable chance of inundation,” Ms Bligh said.

“These are the areas where the state and councils need to focus in their assessment of future developments and types of development.”

She says this is just the first step in standardising floodplain management and mapping across the state.

ICA’s GM Risk and Disaster Planning Karl Sullivan says the council has been working with the Queensland Government for months on the issues surrounding in its current floodplain management program.

“We give the Government kudos for recognising those issues and stepping forward with a more comprehensive program and for recognising and linking the flood mapping to high-level development controls,” he told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“This is exactly what ICA has been campaigning for, and it’s very welcome.”

Local Government Association of Queensland Acting CEO Greg Hoffman says insurers shouldn’t use the data to determine which customers will receive cover or pay increased premiums.

The guideline and maps will be open for submissions until November 11.