Residents at a flood-affected unit complex in Redcliffe are demanding immediate intervention after repeated inundation has left their homes uninhabitable and at risk of becoming uninsurable.
Renewed Flooding Sparks Public Outcry in Redcliffe
Residents of a unit block at 20 Grant Street in Redcliffe are calling for urgent assistance after being inundated by floodwaters for the third time in three years. The most recent event in April 2025 has intensified concerns over the lack of visible infrastructure upgrades and the growing impact of repeated storm events.
Residents Still Paying for Past Disasters
The complex was previously flooded twice in one day in 2022, with water levels rising above 1.2 metres. The April 2025 flooding caused further extensive damage. Residents now face a $100,000 insurance excess for repairs and have been warned that their building will become uninsurable by 24 May 2025.
Since the 2022 floods, residents report continued financial pressure from lost belongings, inflated premiums, and difficulty securing insurance. While some recall earlier assurances of future flood mitigation, no specific changes to stormwater systems have been confirmed.
Stormwater System Again Under Scrutiny
Residents believe that stormwater infrastructure failed again in April, as water appeared to back up through drains during heavy rainfall and high tide. There are concerns that existing drainage cannot handle the combined effects of weather and ongoing urban development.
The City of Moreton Bay stated that 47mm of rain fell within 30 minutes, a level exceeding the 1 per cent Annual Exceedance Probability. The affected site sits at one of the street’s lowest points and has been identified as flood-prone in studies dating back to 2000.
Council maintains that increased population density has limited impact on the drainage network and that routine maintenance, including culvert clearing, is conducted in the area.
Community Raises Concerns Over Council Response
Some residents say they received strong assistance after the 2022 floods, which occurred close to election time. One resident described early support such as clean-up services and skip bin provision, followed by years of what they viewed as inaction.
Comments posted publicly by affected locals express disappointment with the council’s continued handling of the issue. Multiple residents claim they raised concerns after the first flood but received responses indicating no further action would be taken.
Vulnerable Residents Impacted
During the April 2025 flood, an 80-year-old resident required emergency assistance to leave her unit. Her family reported that nearby stormwater drains were obstructed by debris from recent tree removal. She is now seeking alternative accommodation.
Limited Avenues for Relief Remain
Council confirmed that it continues to correspond with affected residents but noted that the Voluntary Home Buy-Back scheme ended in June 2023. Insurance arrangements remain at the discretion of private providers.
Residents are now exploring legal options to pursue structural mitigation or compensation. Calls for further government involvement continue, as many in the Redcliffe area report ongoing uncertainty over flood resilience.
Published 7-May-2025
