Queensland has introduced a long-term flood resilience plan, building on work undertaken since the 2011 Brisbane floods.

The Brisbane River Strategic Floodplain Management Plan covers current and expected risk, disaster management, mitigation infrastructure, community resilience, building guidelines, land use planning and landscape management. It features 52 measures to strengthen the resilience of communities on the Brisbane River floodplain.

“This plan will guide future investment to build our resilience and reduce the impact and cost of floods,” Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick said.

The state’s Flood Resilient Building Guidance for homes – a project that has involved insurers and other stakeholders – was also introduced at last week’s launch.

“Queensland is the most flood-prone state in Australia, and the new guide identifies simple measures such as wet-proofing the lower level of a home, which can significantly reduce clean-up and recovery efforts following floods,” Mr Dick said.

The Insurance Council of Australia says the guide will help home and small business owners understand how to reduce flood exposure.

“This is a practical resource that will lead to an increase in flood-resilient properties in communities with a known flood risk,” GM Risk and Disaster Planning Karl Sullivan said.

“The guide offers many retrofit measures that will strengthen homes against floodwater and make clean-up and recovery post-flood faster and easier, assisting communities to rebuild.

“It is compelling reading not just for the residents of the Brisbane River floodplain, but anyone who lives in flood-prone communities.”