The Big Flood - Project overview

Introduction

Understanding the frequency and causes of extreme flood events is crucial for social and economic planning and environmental protection. SEQ has one of the fastest growing populations in Australia; currently around 2.8 million people, and expected to increase to ~4.4 million by 2031. The associated expenditure on infrastructure is expected to exceed $100 billion. This overall goal of this project was to contribute to the improved understanding, prediction and management of extreme flood events in the Lockyer Valley and broader SEQ region.

Project overview

This project came about as a direct appeal from Industry in the recognition that current understanding of flood magnitude and frequency, geomorphic impact and catchment management is inadequate to safe guard key human and natural resources.

Major aims

Reconstruct a time series of major flood events for Lockyer Creek extending back more than 1000 years.
Predict river channel and floodplain geomorphic susceptibility to floods in the Lockyer Valley and locate areas of high risk.
Incorporate research findings into climate change predictions, water quality protection and river management in Australia.

Project team

Chief Investigators

Assoc Prof Jacky Croke
(University of Queensland)

Dr Chris Thompson
(University of Queensland)

Assoc Prof Kirstie Fryirs
(Macquarie University)

Prof Mark Macklin
(University of Lincoln, UK)

Dr Tim Cohen
(University of Wollongong)

Prof Jon Olley
(Griffith University)

Dr Tim Pietsch
(Australian Rivers Institute
Griffith University)

Mr Ashneel Sharma
(DSITI)

Dr Kate Smolders
(Seqwater)

Dr Ramona Dalla Pozza
(DSITI)

Postgraduate Training

PhD

Jack Coates-Marnane
(Griffith University)

James Daley
(University of Queensland)

Heather Haines
(Griffith University)

Daryl Lam
(University of Queensland)

Peyton Lisenby
(Macquarie University)

Honours

Mr Marcus Baggs-Sargood
(University of Wollongong)

Ms Bronte Smith
(University of Wollongong)

International Interns (Department of Soil Physics and Land Management, Wageningen University)

Mr Corne Lugtenburg

Mr Robert Valkenberg

Mr Wout Pulles

Mr Pim van den Berg

Partner organisations

The partner organisations of Queensland Government's Department of Science Information Technology and Innovation, Seqwater and Lockyer Valley Regional Council represent leading agencies in natural resource management, water quality and ecosystem protection, reflecting the need for a comprehensive and effective approach to the prediction of flood risk and geomorphic response.

The Project engaged leading scientists from five major Universities: the University of Queensland; Griffith University; Macquarie University; The University of Wollongong and University of Lincoln in the UK.

Funding

This project was funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Linkage Project (ARC LP 120200093 2013-2016).

Acknowledgements

A great many people assisted us on this project and we are very grateful for their input and expertise. Thanks to; James Grove (Uni. Melb), Robert Denham (DSITI), Annegret Larsen (UQ), Giri Kinhal (DSITI), Peter Todd (DNRM), Paul Lawrence (DSITI), Ken Brook (DSITI), Fiona Watson (DSITI), Dan Tindall (DSITI), Cate Dent (DSITI), Rob Dehayr (DSITI), Morag Stewart (Seqwater) Sonya Monk (DSITI), Kate Dolan (DSITI), Michael O’Loughlin (DSITI), Loraine Smith (DSITI), Dan Brough (DSITI), Jeremy Manders (DSITI), Bernie Powell (DSITI), Ian Hall (DSITI), Don Malcolm (DSITI), Taka Furichi (DSITI), Joanne Burton (DSITI), Justine Kemp (GU), Jerry Maroulis (WUR); Arnaud Temme (KU); Richard Collins (LVRC), Belinda Whelband (LVRC), Quinten Underwood (LVRC), Kate Hughes (UQ), Rebecca Bartley (CSIRO) and the Sippel Families and property owners in the Lockyer Valley.