REAL STATE - REAL STATE

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For many Sunshine Coast locals, water is a big part of what makes our region such a beautiful place to live. We have an enviable 65 kilometres of coastline, five major waterways and dozens of creeks. But living near water also brings risk.

As rainfall events become more intense and coastal hazards increase, homeowners, designers, and builders are being challenged to think differently about the way homes are planned, built, and renovated.

To help meet that challenge, Sunshine Coast Council has released the Flooding and Coastal Resilience Design Guide (the Guide), developed in partnership with resilience specialists JDA Co.

The Guide provides practical design advice, helping homeowners and industry professionals create homes that are safer, more adaptable, and better prepared for flood and storm events.

Sunshine Coast Council’s Principal Engineer and the Guide’s co-author, Nadia Guterres, says flood resilience should not just be considered after a disaster.

“Flood resilience is about planning rather than reacting afterwards. Every design decision you make before a flood or storm event can reduce the damage, disruption and recovery costs that follow,” Ms Guterres said.

“Many of us often assume flood risk only applies to waterfront properties, but numerous affected properties aren’t located next to waterways.

“Drainage issues and overland flow can impact homes right across our region.

Understanding your property's particular risks is always the first step in choosing the right flood resilience strategy for your property.”