Flood resilience and adaptation: strategic approaches for future planning

Addressing global warming challenges through effective risk management

As we confront the increasing impact of global warming, the challenges our customers face are evolving. 
Insights from Yaz Majrouh, our commercial partner, highlight how innovation in infrastructure projects, urban planning, and flood disaster management can mitigate the impacts of global warming and encourage adaptation.

Increased flooding in urban areas

Global warming is fundamentally changing our industry and influencing customer decisions. I have noticed a recent shift in focus to renewable energy sources and disruptions in project planning due to rising sea levels.  
Our involvement in flooding reports and flood analysis allows us to gather valuable data on the impact of climate change on water bodies and urban areas. This data helps us understand the specific vulnerabilities of different cities around the globe.

In 2023, we conducted the Middle Harbour Southern Catchments Flood Study for the Ku-ring-gai Council. The study involved hydrologic and TUFLOW hydraulic modelling of the catchment area to determine how floods behave under different conditions, such as historical, existing, and future scenarios, taking into account the potential impacts of climate change. The study results will help the Council manage flood risk in the area, including regulating land use and development, planning for emergencies, and responding to flood events.

Mitigating risk in future planning

Urban planning has become more complex, we now need to incorporate measures to mitigate the impact of flooding and ensure the long-term resilience of infrastructure and communities.

We are deeply involved in local projects that address the impacts of global warming. These projects help us paint a comprehensive picture of the real-time effects of climate change so we can work with our customers to develop strategies to address flooding risks.

We recently supported Cairns Regional Council with the delivery of its Fit for Purpose Flood Risk Assessment (FFPRA). The risk assessment is holistic and complex, building on the findings of flood modelling undertaken by us and the Council in 2022/2023 and drawing together flood risk factors to inform future growth and land use planning. It provides an important risk-based foundation for both the Cairns 2050 Growth Strategy and the new Cairns Planning Scheme. 

Flood disaster planning

We are at the forefront of incorporating emerging technologies in our projects. We utilise our industry-leading software, TUFLOW, to deliver precision and real-time data to support pre-planning, hazard identification and risk assessment.  
This technology supports our work to minimise flood damage and enable effective evacuation planning, ensuring comprehensive emergency management planning.

In 2021, we collaborated with our partner under the guidance of the Department of Transport Main Roads (Queensland) to deliver the State Guideline: Flood Evacuation Route Improvements. The purpose of this initiative was to help decision makers understand options for improving evacuation routes in response to identified flood evacuation and funding constraints. The guideline explains how to identify and assess potential improvement options and provides tools and templates for preparing an implementation plan and business case.

Sustainable solutions to environmental challenges 

We believe that innovation and technological advancements play a crucial role in finding sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.
By harnessing the power of data analytics, artificial intelligence, and predictive modelling, we can better understand the intricate dynamics of climate change and develop effective strategies to mitigate its effects.
However, as technology evolves, we are also mindful of its risks, especially in replacing traditional consultancy roles. We focus on leveraging these technologies to enhance our expertise and offer superior solutions to our customers rather than being replaced by them. 

Our experts consistently leverage innovations in technology to enhance their expertise so that we can offer superior solutions to our customers.