Brisbane City Council Archives

New Creek Flood Study Changes Risk Profile For Jindalee Homes

A number of homes in the Jindalee flood catchment area would be among thousands across Brisbane to be added to a revised flood risk map after new creek catchment studies reshaped hazard zones.

Focus On Creeks, Not The River

Thousands of residents will soon see their properties listed on Brisbane City Council’s updated flood risk map after new studies identified more homes at risk from creek and waterway flooding. Some households will appear on the overlay for the first time, while others will have their risk category changed.

The update, based on studies of the Jindalee, Breakfast Creek, and Lota Creek catchments, will be added to the City Plan on 19 September 2025. Citywide, 17,246 properties are affected, with 10,129 newly listed, about 2,000 upgraded to higher risk, and more than 400 removed.

The Jindalee flood catchment includes the suburbs of Jindalee, Sinnamon Park, and sections of Middle Park. These suburbs are prone to flooding because they sit within the Brisbane River catchment and its tributaries.

What This Means For Property Owners

The updated flood overlay covers only creek and waterway flooding, not Brisbane River or overland flow. In the Jindalee catchment, it reflects local creek systems rather than past river flood events, with scenarios ranging from common floods to rare 1-in-2,000-year events.

*Photo Credit: Jason Ng Photography/Facebook*

Council will notify affected property owners before the changes, detailing whether their property is new to the map, has a revised risk, or has been removed. Once live, the online Flood Awareness Map will let residents view their risk and plan for preparation, renovations, or development.

Calls For Fair Treatment From Insurers

Council has urged insurers not to increase premiums unfairly as a result of the updated mapping, especially in cases where the flood event probability is very low.

In previous updates, some residents in other suburbs saw sharp rises in premiums, prompting concern in the community. The city’s message to insurers is to consider the context of the data and apply changes reasonably.

Part Of A Broader Flood Preparedness Program

The Jindalee study is part of a rolling program that has delivered 29 flood studies across Brisbane over the past decade.

Each study feeds into Council’s planning scheme to improve community awareness and resilience. The aim is to provide accurate, location-specific flood risk information so residents can better prepare for the future.

Updated 28-November-2025

Centenary Community Clubs Set For Solar Energy Upgrades

Centenary area clubs in Darra and Wacol are confirmed for new rooftop solar and efficiency upgrades to help reduce electricity costs.

Centenary Sites Confirmed For Upgrades

The program was announced in early October 2025 and will be delivered across the 2025–26 financial year. Confirmed recipients include the Scouts Association – West Centenary site in Darra, the Western Districts Baseball Club at Atthows Park on Sumners Road in Darra, and the Taringa Rovers facility operating from a Wacol address on Grindle Road.

*Photo Credit: Taringa Rovers/Google Maps*

Each will receive new solar infrastructure ranging from around 6 kW to more than 18 kW in size. These upgrades are part of a wider rollout across 26 Brisbane community facilities in the current stage.

Program Aims To Lower Costs For Local Families

Brisbane City Council has stated the initiative is focused on easing cost pressures for families and volunteer-run community groups. Savings generated from lower power bills are expected to be redirected to programs, facility maintenance, and member services.

Photo Credit: *Western Districts Baseball Club*/Google Maps

Brisbane Sustainability Agency provided statements supporting the program, which aligns with Council’s emissions reduction strategy.

Part Of A Broader Clean Energy Rollout

Council has already installed more than seven megawatts of solar capacity across its facilities, with the total set to reach 7.5 megawatts after this stage is complete. The city has a target of cutting its carbon emissions by 30 per cent by 2031–32.

*Photo Credit: Canva / For Illustration Purpose Only*

Council has framed the initiative as both an environmental and community cost-of-living measure rather than a political announcement.

Direct Local Relevance To Centenary Residents

With Darra and Wacol sites in the rollout, Centenary-area clubs such as Scouts and local sports will see neighbourhood-level benefits.

These organisations are expected to see immediate improvements in operating costs once the systems are switched on, reinforcing Council’s focus on helping grassroots clubs remain sustainable.

Published 20-October-2025

Centenary Memorial Gardens in Sumner Proposes Expansion for Enhanced Facilities

Photo Credit: MID-0924-0875

Centenary Memorial Gardens (CMG) in Sumner is seeking approval for a major expansion, including new facilities and burial zones, as part of its long-term development plan. The proposal, currently in the pre-lodgement consultation phase, has raised both community support and concerns, particularly regarding potential flood risks.

CMG, one of Brisbane’s largest privately owned cemeteries, has been serving the community for over 22 years. In response to increasing demand for burial and cremation spaces, CMG has submitted a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) application (MID-0924-0875) to the Department of State Development.

The proposal outlines plans for a new chapel, café, a catering area, and a dedicated Asian lotus garden incorporating feng shui principles. Additionally, an open-air pavilion with a 200-person capacity is planned to provide enhanced spaces for services and memorial gatherings.

The Pavillion — *Photo Credit: Centenary Memorial Gardens*

Flood Risk and Environmental Considerations

One of the most debated aspects of the expansion is CMG’s request to extend burial sites into lower-lying areas of its 16.5-hectare property on Wacol Station Road. The existing burial zone sits at 8.8 metres above sea level, above the flood-prone Wolston Creek. The Planning and Environment Court had previously set this limit in 2000 to prevent potential environmental risks, including leaching of contaminants and coffin buoyancy during severe flooding.

However, CMG’s commissioned studies suggest that burials could be safely conducted at 5.16 metres, with reports from Core Consultants indicating no contamination risks from current burial grounds. The proposal also accounts for triple burials, where caskets are stacked, and compensatory earthworks to manage site elevation.

Lotus Garden — *Photo Credit: Centenary Memorial Gardens*

BCC’s Position and Approval Process

The BCC has expressed concerns over CMG’s attempt to bypass standard town planning approvals by seeking state-level designation. BCC wants conditions placed on aspects such as noise levels, lighting, traffic impact, and biodiversity protection. CMG has responded by noting that only 17 native trees, including 11 classified as koala habitat, would be removed under the proposed changes.

Currently, CMG is in the pre-lodgement consultation phase of the MID process, where stakeholders, including city officials and local community members, can provide feedback before the official proposal is lodged. The public consultation period for this proposal began on 19 December 2024 and will conclude on 26 February 2025.

MAKE A SUBMISSION

Community Response: Mixed Reactions

Local residents have voiced both support and opposition to the expansion. Many families who have loved ones buried at CMG welcome the improved facilities and additional burial options. However, others have raised concerns about potential disturbances from events hosted at the cemetery, such as Christmas fireworks and memorial services featuring amplified music.

CMG director James McKay has assured the community that fireworks occur only once a year as part of a Christmas memorial service, aimed at providing solace to grieving families. He emphasised that the expansion focuses on enhancing existing facilities rather than increasing large-scale celebrations.

*Photo Credit: Centenary Memorial Gardens*

Next Steps in the Approval Process

Following the pre-lodgement consultation phase, CMG will submit its proposal for ministerial assessment. Adjustments based on public feedback may also be required before the project receives full approval.

As Brisbane’s population grows and cemetery space becomes increasingly limited, the outcome of CMG’s expansion request will have long-term implications for burial and cremation services in the region.

Published 13-Feb-2025