Communities fight back against coastal hazards

Published 07 October 2025

• In and Queensland first, City of Moreton Bay has partnered with several communities to develop their own Local Resilience Plans
• The plans identify actions to reduce the risks from natural hazards and rising sea levels to people, properties and community infrastructure
• The progress comes as City of Moreton Bay joins forces with the Queensland Government for Get Ready Week - an annual statewide call to action that helps communities prepare for extreme weather and disasters

A City of Moreton Bay initiative is helping communities fight back and boost their resilience against coastal hazards that are costing tens of millions of dollars every year.

Community taskforces in Scarborough, Donnybrook and Dohles Rocks have each drafted a Local Resilience Plan (LRP) – a Queensland first initiative designed to improve a community's ability to prepare for, respond to and recover from natural hazards.

Council estimates coastal hazards are already costing City of Moreton Bay an average of $42 million per year in damages to buildings and facilities, transport infrastructure, natural assets and more.

That figure could climb to as high as $468 million by the year 2100 if steps are not taken to mitigate risks.

Developed out of Council’s Living Coast Plan, the specific resilience plans identify actions to reduce the risks from natural hazards and rising sea levels to people, properties and community infrastructure.

Supported by Council, residents are empowered to identify tailored solutions, from flood-proofing homes to improving emergency preparedness.

Mayor Peter Flannery said it was critical Council continued to work closely with coastal communities to help them withstand, adapt to, and recover from natural hazard impacts over long periods of time.

“City of Moreton Bay's coastal location makes it vulnerable to climate-related hazards like sea level rise, storm surge and flooding. But through strong partnerships and forward-thinking planning, the community is taking action,” he said.

“Council and the community are working together to address the impacts of projected sea level rises to 2050 and 2100, ensuring decisions reflect local knowledge and lived experience.”

Mayor Flannery said the development of local resilience plans allowed communities to work with council to identify their priority infrastructure needs, ensuring funding was directed towards solutions that mitigated future risk.

“It’s rewarding to see coastal communities like those at Scarborough, Donnybrook and Dohles Rocks finalising their resilience plans with more communities are getting on board too,” he said.

Council is currently engaging with residents in Beachmere and Toorbul to develop their plans in an effort to continue building resilience in communities most at risk of tidal inundation.

The progress comes as City of Moreton Bay joins forces with the Queensland Government for Get Ready Week, an annual statewide call to action that helps communities prepare for extreme weather and disasters.

From Monday 6 October to Sunday 12 October, councils and local organisations across Queensland will be rolling out a huge range of activities, from community expos, school workshops and emergency services displays, to local media campaigns, markets and preparedness giveaways.

Mayor Flannery said planning and preparation was the key to managing any disaster.

 “We often say prepare for the worst and hope for the best and that is the mindset our communities need to have as the weather events become more unpredictable,” he said.

“I’d also encourage community members to speak with their neighbours, and make sure they know and understand the risks so they can take steps to protect their family and property.

“Most importantly, residents should refer to the Disaster Dashboard for local updates on severe weather, road closures, power outages, evacuation centres and more, as well as sign up to MoretonAlert - a free SMS, email and voice alerting system.”

For more information on how to prepare your home for a natural disaster, head to https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Disaster-Management/Before-a-Disaster

City of Moreton Bay’s Emergency Service Expo will be held at Bribie Island on Sunday 12 October from 9am to 1pm.

For more information, head to https://www.whatsonmoretonbay.com/events/moreton-bay-emergency-services-expo-bribie-island