An ABC investigation has reviewed Queensland's flood maps, emergency zones, changes to town planning, and property records to examine how natural disasters are impacting the housing crisis.
The state government has been selling off land for new housing smack-bang in the middle of Townsville 's " black zone ", which was evacuated during flooding in February.
An ABC investigation reviewed emergency zones, town planning changes, property records and flood maps, and interviewed key figures to examine the problem. Among black zone areas was a large parcel of state-owned land that was formerly a cattle research station, and now features chunks of green scrub. One home's rental advertisement highlighted its design for disabled people; the tenant uses an NDIS-support service.Homes are being built on stilts in Townsville, which can be prone to flooding.The office for the new LNP minister for state development, Jarrod Bleijie, did not answer questions about land sales, which occurred under the previous administration.
Bernie Hartmann owns a home in Rosslea, in Tonwsville blackzon, and was happy with how council handled the flooding situation.He likes his home — it boasts a freshly mowed backyard and garage with pristine cars — and he was happy with how council had managed events in the latest flood. Some locals also maintained a chain of events had caused 2019's local flooding, and sounded reassured this would not happen again.
"They should never have let anyone build here," he said. "Who's to say — six, seven years time if we don't get another extraordinary downpour?" "Why are we building a property that's not designed for the wet weather we have up here?" she told the ABC.
Queensland Townsville Flooding Ross River Flooding Black Zone High Flood Risk Townsville City Council Jarrod Bleijie Anna Bligh David Crisafulli Stantec Insurance Council Of Australia
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