Flood Resilient Building Guidance for Queensland Homes
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Design Guidance for Flood Resilient Homes
Flooding is one of Queensland’s most frequent disaster events. Adopting a flood-resilient design approach involves adapting the design, construction, and building materials used to minimise damage caused by floodwaters.
With the increasing frequency and severity of flooding, considering new approaches to home design, infrastructure and urban planning is essential.
Flood-resilient building design offers practical solutions that help communities better prepare for, withstand, and recover from flood events.
This approach focuses on simple but effective measures such as raising floor levels, using water-resistant materials, elevating essential services (like electrical systems), and designing homes so they can be quickly cleaned and safely reoccupied after a flood.
While flood-resilient design cannot stop flooding from occurring, it can significantly reduce damage, disruption, and recovery costs, helping homeowners and communities return home sooner.
Read the guide
Project partners
This design guidance has been developed by the Queensland Government Department of Housing and Public Works in collaboration with the Office of the Queensland Government Architect, the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and JDA Co. We acknowledge the valuable insights, expertise, and shared commitment of all partners in supporting more flood-resilient
homes and communities across Queensland.
Funding acknowledgement
The Design Guidance for Flood Resilient Homes is a deliverable under Resilient Homes Fund jointly funded (50:50) by the Queensland and Australian Governments under Category D of the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA) following the 2021-22 Rainfall and Flooding events.
QRA Reference: QRA4259 & DOC/26/33031. Last updated: 16 June 2026.