Flood Resilience Archives - Over The Walter Taylor Bridge

Background of Flooding and Site History

The Brisbane River has risen over the Sherwood property in several major events, including the floods of 1974, 2011 and 2022. The original home was affected in 2011, and the land was again inundated in 2022. During that 2022 event, a long stretch of the riverbank collapsed, causing parts of the block to sink by up to a metre. This resulted in earlier building approvals being withdrawn and required a complete redesign.

Richard and Janette Rowles returned to the Sherwood property after inheriting it in 2015. The couple had lived nearby for many years before deciding to rebuild on the riverfront despite its flood history.

Photo Caption: A still from “Sherwood River,” capturing Richard Rowles and the team. Watch the full episode on Grand Designs Australia.
Photo Credit: ABC iview

Flood-Resilient Construction in Sherwood

The build took nearly two and a half years and cost more than $2 million. The new structure sits 11 metres from the river and almost half a metre above the council’s assessed flood level. It is supported by 26 piers embedded 13.5 metres into the ground, a measure intended to limit movement in any future landslip.

The lower level was intentionally designed to be submersible, with raised electrical points and switches. Living spaces were built on the upper floor, using water-resistant materials such as removable melamine wall panels, epoxy-painted steel framing and ironbark floorboards. A concrete staircase links the undercroft to a central courtyard and upper rooms.

Expert Insights and Design Principles

Flood-resilience specialist James Davidson notes that while the Sherwood example is a high-cost project, the principles applied can be used for new builds or retrofits at lower budgets. He highlights measures such as identifying projected flood levels, raising homes where possible, using resilient materials and positioning services above likely flood points.

He also recommends avoiding cavity construction, using concrete and tiled surfaces, treating pine framing and removing plasterboard in high-risk areas. He maintains that no house can be fully flood-proof, but these steps can reduce damage and recovery time.

*Photo Caption: A map showing the boundaries of Sherwood beside the Brisbane River.*
*Photo Credit: Wikipedia*

Community Perspectives and Comparisons

Online discussion has shown mixed responses, with some residents pointing to similar raised designs and hose-out ground levels used in other flood-affected regions. Others reference the wide variation in past flood heights and the limits of designing for extreme events. Some discussions also mention floating structures and high-stilt housing as alternative approaches.

Future Implications for Riverfront Living

Although the Sherwood home incorporates extensive flood-resilience measures, expert commentary notes that increasing flood levels will continue to shape building decisions along the river. Some specialists indicate that relocating away from high-risk areas remains the only complete safeguard, though many homeowners are instead adopting resilience-based strategies.

Published 24-Nov-2025

Walking through Graceville, a local resident noticed vacant lots blocked off by wooden stumps and yellow booms, overgrown with grass, and wondered aloud: “What’s the story here?” The unusual sight sparked curiosity, leading others to ponder the history behind these empty spaces.

Discussions revealed a deeply rooted connection between Queensland’s devastating floods and a buyback program to transform flood-prone areas into green spaces.

Understanding the Buyback Program

Locals shared observations of similar sites in Graceville and other Brisbane suburbs on a popular online forum. One post noted how several properties had been demolished and cordoned off, leaving only driveways leading to nowhere. Many speculated these vacant lots were linked to the 2011 floods that wreaked havoc on the suburb. Others confirmed the connection, explaining that these properties were part of Queensland’s voluntary flood buyback scheme.

Queensland’s Resilient Homes Fund, introduced after the 2022 floods, is the latest iteration of the buyback scheme. Under this, eligible homeowners in flood-affected areas can sell their properties to Queensland. The process involves property valuations, legal and conveyancing support, and eventual demolition of structures on the land.

Residents familiar with the program explained how the buybacks helped homeowners move away from flood-prone areas by purchasing their properties, often leaving the land vacant to serve as a buffer against future floods. Some shared personal stories of neighbours who had opted into the program, citing it as a difficult but necessary step to ensure long-term safety and flood resilience.

Why the Buybacks Were Necessary

Graceville, like many other Brisbane suburbs, has a history of severe flooding, including the catastrophic events of 2011 and 2022. Floodwaters devastated homes, forcing many families to rebuild, relocate, or seek assistance through programs like the buyback initiative.

The buyback scheme addresses flood risk by acquiring high-risk properties, demolishing structures, and rezoning the land for non-habitable uses such as green spaces. This protects the environment and ensures that flood-prone areas are no longer developed, reducing risks for future residents and minimising the financial impact of repeated flood disasters.

The program also ensures that purchased properties are rezoned as non-habitable, safeguarding them against future development. Local councils oversee land rehabilitation efforts, often laying turf, planting trees, and adding features like picnic tables and playgrounds where possible.

Vacant lots, such as those in Graceville, often remain overgrown while awaiting rehabilitation or repurposing. In many cases, they are being converted into parklands or community spaces, providing both flood mitigation and new recreational opportunities for locals.

Across Brisbane, 285 properties spanning over 20 hectares have been acquired and are being converted into parks and open spaces. Some locations, such as Fauna Parade Park and Strickland Terrace Park, have already been expanded, while others remain in planning stages.

Your Path to a Safer, Flood-Free Future

For homeowners still living in flood-affected properties, the Resilient Homes Fund provides options to improve safety and resilience. These include retrofitting homes with flood-resistant materials, raising homes to higher elevations, or participating in the voluntary buyback program. To learn more, interested residents can visit the Queensland Government’s Resilient Homes Fund website or call the 13 QGOV hotline (13 74 68) for assistance.

Published 6-Jan-2024

Tag: Flood Resilience

Flood Design Strategies Demonstrated in Sherwood