8-2-6FloodHazardOverlayCode_77_23-Mar-2026 · MCU26/0097

8.2.6	Flood Hazard Overlay Code
8.2.6.1	Application
This code applies to assessable development: in the Flood Hazard Overlay shown on the overlay maps contained within Schedule 2 Mapping; and identified as requiring assessment against the Flood Hazard overlay code by the tables of assessment in Part 5 (Tables of Assessment). All provisions of the code are assessment benchmarks for applicable assessable development.
Editor's Note—The Flood Hazard Overlay Maps in Schedule 2 (Mapping) identify flooding and inundation areas where flooding and storm tide modelling has been undertaken by Council. Other areas not identified by the Flood Hazard Overlay may also be subject to flooding or storm tide inundation. Maximum flow velocity mapping is also available from Council.
Editor’s Note—Planning scheme policy 9 for Assessment of Natural Hazards provides guidance for achieving certain outcomes of this code, including for the preparation of a flood hazard assessment and mitigation report.
8.2.6.2	Purpose and overall outcomes
The purpose of the Flood Hazard overlay code is to: provide for the assessment of the compatibility of development in the flood hazard overlay to flood and storm tide inundation risk, taking into account the predicted effects of climate change; ensure that risk to life, property, community, economic activity and the environment during flood and storm tide inundation events is avoided or mitigated; and ensure that development does not increase potential for flood damage on-site or to other property. The overall outcomes sought for the Flood Hazard overlay code are: Development in areas at risk from flood and storm tide inundation is compatible with the nature of the defined flood event or defined storm tide event. Development protects floodplains and the flood conveyance capacity of waterways. Development is resilient to flood and storm tide events by ensuring siting and design responds to and minimises potential risks of flood and storm tide inundation to people and property. Development directly, indirectly and cumulatively avoids an unacceptable increase in the extent or severity of flood or storm tide inundation and does not significantly increase the potential for damage on the site or to other properties. Development supports and does not unduly burden disaster management response or recovery capacity and capabilities. Development avoids the release of hazardous materials as a result of a flood event. Natural processes and the protective function of landforms and vegetation are maintained in flooding and inundation areas.
8.2.6.3	Assessment Criteria
Table 8.2.6.3.1 - Criteria for assessment
	 Performance outcomes	Acceptable outcomes	Comments  Floodplain protection, immunity and safety - for development areas	 	 PO1 Development provides that for all flood events up to and including the DFE : the safety of people on the site is protected; and the risk of damage to property on the site is avoided or minimised as far as practicable.	AO1 The finished flood level is not less than the minimum design levels specified in Table 8.2.6.4	Complies - The proposed shed and caretakers dwelling are located outside of the identified flood area. 	 PO2 All lots have sufficient area that is above the DFE flood level or where modelling is not available, the highest recorded flood level, to safely and adequately accommodate the intended use.	AO2 The minimum area above flood level (flood free area) for each lot, is in accordance with Table 8.2.6.5.	 	 PO3 For reconfiguring a lot or operational works, development is undertaken in a manner that ensures: natural hydrological systems are protected from erosion, scour or flood damage on the premises or other premises; natural landforms and drainage lines are maintained to protect the hydraulic performance of waterways and flood plain; and development integrates with the natural landform rather than modifying the landform to suit the development as far as practicable.	AO3 Development areas are not filled to reduce flood risk.	 	 PO4 For reconfiguring a lot, development does not compromise the safety of people resulting from the flood risk associated with events exceeding the DFE.	AO4.1 Development provides an effective evacuation route that remains passable, with sufficient flood warning time, to enable people to progressively evacuate to safe areas above the PMF in the face of advancing flood or waters for events that exceed the DFE. OR AO4.2 Development provides for an area of sufficient size and dimensions on site above the PMF that allows for safe congregation and refuge. AO4.3 Where the existing roads servicing a development provide a specific flood immunity (as determined by the Qld Transport Road and Drainage Design Manual, Queensland Urban Drainage Manual and the Australian Rainfall and Runoff Guide), all lots have access to the flood free area identified in Table 8.2.6.5 that matches the road immunity.	 	 PO5 For reconfiguring a lot or operational works, development does not directly, indirectly or cumulatively alter the flood characteristics external to the development site for all flooding and inundation events up to and including the DFE or DSTE based on: current climate conditions; and incorporating an appropriate allowance for the predicted impacts of climate change.	AO5 In the Flood Hazard Overlay, or in areas otherwise determined to be subject to the DFE or DSTE, development ensures: there is no loss of on-site flood storage capacity; all changes to level, depth, duration and velocity of floodwaters are contained within the site for all flood events up to and including the DFE based on current climate and predicted impacts of climate change at 2100; there is no acceleration or retardation of flows, or any retardation in flood warning times, elsewhere on the floodplain and to any overland flow paths; and there is no increased stormwater ponding on sites upstream, downstream or in the general vicinity of the site.	  Resilient building design and form	 	 PO6 Development ensures that building design and building form: accounts for potential flood risk; is resilient to flood events; and maintains a functional and attractive street address appropriate to the intended use.	AO6.1 Buildings are designed to integrate well with the street level and the levels of adjoining properties to facilitate pedestrian flows and visual and physical connectivity between the footpath and ground floors. AO6.2 Buildings incorporate appropriate screening to ensure that any under-storey is not visible from the street, where such screening does not impede flood water flows. AO6.3 Residential buildings minimise risk from flooding by providing parking and other low intensive, non-habitable uses at ground level, rather than habitable uses. AO6.4 Non-residential buildings and structures are oriented to the street by activating the street frontage with appropriate uses and urban design treatments such as recessed wall treatments, screening or landscaping, whilst allowing for flow through of flood waters on the ground floor. Editor's Note— The use of flood resilient building materials is also encouraged for building works up to the probable maximum flood to reduce the consequences of flooding. AO6.5 Basements and underground car parking areas are designed to drain and function safely during a flood event and power failure. Editor's note—Basements should have flood immunity above the 1%AEP defined flood event with alternative means to mechanical pumping used to achieve such immunity.	  Disaster management	 	 PO7 Development supports, and does not unduly burden, disaster management response or recovery capacity or capabilities.	AO7.1 Development is located to support self-evacuation of people and ensure sufficient warning time for the nature of the use. AO7.2 Development does not: increase the number of people calculated to be at risk from flooding; increase the number of people likely to need evacuation; shorten flood warning times for other uses in the floodplain; or impact on the ability of traffic to use evacuation routes, or unreasonably increase traffic volumes on evacuation routes. AO7.3 Materials stored on site: are readily able to be moved in a flood event to a flood free area; or are contained in order to minimise movement in times of flood. Editor's Note— Businesses should ensure that necessary emergency and continuity plans are in place to account for the potential need to evacuate personnel and to relocate property prior to a flood event.	na  Essential network infrastructure	 	 PO8 Essential network infrastructure maintains effective function during and immediately after flood and storm tide inundation events.	AO8 Essential network infrastructure that is likely to fail to function or may result in contamination when inundated by flood water (e.g. water supply pipeline air valves and the like) is located above the DFE level (or where the DFE has not been modelled for the area, above the highest recorded flood level for the area).	na  Essential community infrastructure	 	 PO9 Essential community infrastructure is able to function effectively during and immediately after flood events.	AO9.1 Essential community infrastructure is sited and constructed to ensure that flood levels comply with flood immunity requirements specified in Table 8.2.6.4. AO9.2 Essential community infrastructure which is located below the specified flood immunity requirements: is designed and constructed to function effectively during and immediately after the recommended flood level event; and has direct access to low hazard evacuation routes or an emergency rescue area above the PMF, if it is for emergency services (including emergency shelters, police facilities, hospitals and associated facilities).	na  Earthworks	 	 PO10 Excavation and filling for operational works only occur where they: result in the protection, rehabilitation and repair of ecologically important areas, watercourses, drainage lines and wetlands; do not adversely impact on the overall hydrology, hydraulics and flood capacity of a waterway; do not directly, indirectly or cumulatively cause adverse impacts external to the site; do not cause increased flooding, which adversely affects the safety or use of any land upstream or downstream; do not cause ponding of water on the site or nearby land; do not result in a reduction in flood storage capacity; do not adversely affect the flow of water in any overland flow path; and do not adversely affect the privacy or visual amenity of surrounding property. Editor’s Note— The Earthworks Code sets out further requirements for earthworks.	AO10 Filling, other than accessways: does not extend more than the equivalent of 3 metres around the main building, measured from the outer walls of the building; is limited to a maximum of 500m2; and does not impact on the local drainage of adjoining properties.	na  Hazardous materials	 	 PO11 Development ensures that public safety and the environment are not adversely affected by avoiding the release of hazardous materials into flood waters and the environment.	AO11.1 Materials manufactured or stored on site are not hazardous or noxious, or do not comprise materials that may cause a detrimental effect on the environment if discharged in a flood event. OR AO11.2 If a DFE is adopted, structures used for the manufacture or storage of hazardous material are located above the DFE level. Editor’s Note— Refer to the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 and associated Regulation and Guidelines, the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and the relevant building assessment provisions under the Building Act 1975 for requirements relating to the manufacture and storage of hazardous substances. Information is provided by Business Queensland on the requirements for storing and transporting hazardous chemical.	na
Table 8.2.6.4 - Flood Levels and Flood Immunity Requirements
			 Type of development	Flood Level (Defined Flood Event) for a 2100 planning period	Minimum design level — surface level	Minimum finished floor level  General 			 Business Activities	1% AEP	DFE/DSTE or Historical flood level	DFE + 0.3m or Historical flood level + 0.6m 			 Industrial Activities	1% AEP	DFE/DSTE + 0.3m or Historical flood level + 0.6m	DFE + 0.3m or Historical flood level + 0.6m 			 Accommodation Activities (excluding residential care facility)	1% AEP	DFE/DSTE + 0.3m or Historical flood level + 0.6m	DFE + 0.3m or Historical flood level + 0.6m 			 Residential care facility	0.2% AEP	DFE/DSTE or Historical flood level	DFE + 0.3m or Historical flood level + 1m 			 Community Activities (education establishment, childcare centre)	0.2% AEP	DFE/DSTE or Historical flood level	DFE+ 0.3m or Historical flood level + 1m  Essential community infrastructure (recommended flood level) Editor's note- Some emergency services and police facilities (e.g. water police and search and rescue operations) are dependent on direct water access. The flood levels do not apply to these aspects but other operational areas should be located above the recommended flood level to the greatest extent feasible. 			 Emergency services , other than police station	0.2% AEP	DFE/DSTE or Historical flood level	DFE + 0.3m or Historical flood level + 1m 			 Police facilities	0.2% AEP	DFE/DSTE or Historical flood level	DFE + 0.3m or Historical flood level + 1m 			 Hospital and associated facilities	0.2% AEP	DFE/DSTE or Historical flood level	DFE + 0.3m or Historical flood level + 1m 			 Stores of valuable records or items of historical or cultural significance	0.5% AEP	DFE/DSTE or Historical flood level	DFE + 0.3m or Historical flood level + 1m  Essential infrastructure (recommended flood level) Editor's note- The recommended flood level only applies to electrical and other equipment that, if damaged by flood water or debris, would prevent the plant from functioning. This equipment should either be protected from damage or designed to withstand inundation. 			 Major switch yard and substation	0.5% AEP	DFE/DSTE or Historical flood level	DFE + 0.3m or Historical flood level + 1m 			 Power facilities	0.2% AEP	DFE/DSTE or Historical flood level	DFE + 0.3m or Historical flood level + 1m 			 Sewerage treatment plant equipment	0.1% AEP	DFE/DSTE or Historical flood level	DFE + 0.3m or Historical flood level + 1m 			 Water cycle management infrastructure (water treatment plant)	0.5% AEP	DFE/DSTE or Historical flood level	DFE+ 0.3m or Historical flood level + 1m  Other Editor's note- Minimum design levels for infrastructure apply to standalone infrastructure only. Where infrastructure is proposed as part of development, the minimum design levels nominated for that development category also apply to the associated infrastructure. 			 Manufacture and storage of hazardous materials in bulk	1% AEP	DFE/DSTE + 0.3m or Historical flood level +1m	DFE+ 0.3m or Historical flood level + 1m 			 Access roads and car parking	10% AEP	DFE/DSTE + maximum inundation depth of 250mm during 1%AEP event at 2100	n/a 			 Collector roads and above	1% AEP	DFE/DSTE	n/a 			 Infrastructure other than specified above	1% AEP	DFE/DSFE or Historical flood level	DFE + 0.3m or Historical flood level + 1m
Table 8.2.6.5 - Minimum Size of Flood Free House Site Areas or Development Areas for Lots
	 Zone	Modelled DFE or DSTE level or where not modelled, above the highest known flood level 	 Low Density Residential	100% of the lot 	 Medium Density Residential	100% of the lot 	 High Density Residential	100% of the lot 	 Tourist Accommodation	100% of the lot 	 Major Centre	100% of the lot 	 District Centre	100% of the lot 	 Neighbourhood Centre	100% of the lot 	 Local Centre	100% of the lot 	 Innovation	100% of the lot 	 Low Impact Industry	1000m2 	 Medium Impact Industry	1000m2 	 Community Facilities	450m2 	 Rural Residential	1000m2 plus additional area of effluent disposal 	 Rural	1000m2 plus additional area of effluent disposal 	 Recreation and Open Space	1000m2 or 10% of the total site area, whichever is the greater 	 Environmental Management and Conversation	n/a

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Print Date: 23/03/2026
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Noosa Plan 2020: Amendment 3
Part 8 Overlays \ 8.2 Overlay codes \ 8.2.6 Flood Hazard Overlay Code