Logan Flood Map Updates Prompt Review and Community Concern
Logan City Council in Queensland has updated its flood maps, reclassifying some properties as high flood risk and imposing new planning restrictions. The changes, implemented through temporary local planning instruments, have affected development plans for some residents and led to increased insurance costs. The council has engaged an advisory service to review the maps, a process expected to take three months.
Map Updates and Implementation
Logan City Council updated its flood maps for the area, with the maps being revised twice since 2023. The updated classifications designate some properties as being at high risk of flooding.
The council used temporary local planning instruments (TLPIs) to implement the changes. This mechanism allows for rapid amendments while the council works on permanent revisions to the city plan.
Impact on Property Owners
The updated maps impose stricter planning restrictions on properties classified as high flood risk. This has affected development plans for some landholders.
- Natalie and Jake Taylor purchased a rural property in Logan Village in March 2025. After the map updates, part of their land was classified as high flood risk. The Taylors had planned to build additional housing on the property to accommodate their three children with disabilities and state the new restrictions have affected these plans.
- Some property owners have reported increased insurance premiums, with some citing annual increases of thousands of dollars. Other owners reported having their insurance coverage canceled.
- Flood engineer Martin Roushani-Zarmehri stated that council-required flood modeling and engineering assessments for development can cost up to $5,000.
Council Response and Review Process
A Logan City Council spokesperson stated the council is working to ease the burden on landholders affected by the flood maps, particularly for small developments.
The flood maps have been reviewed twice previously by companies involved in the mapping process. The council has now engaged the advisory service Restore Blue to conduct another review. This investigation began in February and is expected to take approximately three months.
Mayor Jon Raven stated he considers the flood mapping issue frequently.
Technical and Broader Context
Flood engineer Martin Roushani-Zarmehri provided analysis of the updated maps. He stated the new maps are more risk-averse, which provides flood risk awareness to the public. Roushani-Zarmehri also noted the maps can be prohibitive to development on flood-prone land and said the current application of flood mapping in planning can be inflexible or illogical in some situations.
Regarding the evolving nature of flood planning, Roushani-Zarmehri stated:
"Flood mapping is constantly changing as governments account for climate change effects and the potential for larger, faster floods. With current flood model data, some residential properties might not be zoned as they currently are."
Community and Political Reaction
The flood map issue has become a topic of significant discussion in the Logan community, including within local online groups.
Some residents have formed action groups related to the flood maps. These groups are linked to the Logan Ratepayers Association and former mayor John Freeman. A former mayor and a former federal MP have accused the council of illegally uploading the maps, a claim included in community discussions.