Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) Commissioner Anissa Levy says there are a few common-sense safety measures to limit the risk.

“In order to help avoid injury, damage and costs associated with storms and cyclones, it’s important to keep your site clean, says Commissioner Levy.

“Removing loose material and rubbish is a great first step, as strong winds could cause problems by potentially turning materials into missiles.

“When a storm hits, strong winds can result in major damage if items such as roofing sheets and scaffolding are not secured properly.”

Commissioner Levy says rising flood waters as a result of high tides or storm surges also pose a threat to building sites.

“Raising and securing all material above known flood levels will give your site the best protection against the elements, while another tip to avoid flooding is to ensure your site has adequate and compliant drainage.

“Temporary structures need to be secured too, including site offices and shipping containers.

“Contractors should also use this time to check that their insurance policies and coverage are fully up to date and sites and values are accurate.”

In the event of wild weather, the QBCC Commissioner stresses the importance of only returning to site when it is safe to do so.

“When it is safe and practical to return to site, you should secure and address any dangerous or failed areas.”

More information about how to prepare for natural disasters can be found on the QBCC website.

7 Top Tips

1. A clean site is a safer site
2. Raise your materials and lower your flood risk
3. Brace your fencing so temporary barricades last longer
4. Dig some trenches so rainwater can run off
5. Keep site offices secure to keep the books dry
6. Check the insurance policy to dodge future headaches
7. When the storm passes get back on site asap

Queensland home owners who experienced damage to their residential property due to flooding in 2021–22 can now register their interest for the $741 million Resilient Homes Fund. 

The Queensland Government and the Australian Government are working with local councils and communities to support home owners affected by the recent floods – helping them improve their homes’ flood resilience.  

The program includes opportunities for home owners to: 

• retrofit their home with flood-resilient designs 
• raise their home out of harm’s way 
• explore voluntary buybacks. 

It’s all about improving safety within our communities and protecting Queenslanders and their homes when disaster strikes.  

Register your interest  

The opportunity to register your interest will be ongoing and the flood events covered include:  

• Rainfall and flooding within Central, Southern, Western Queensland (10 November-3 December 2021) 
• Rainfall and flooding as a result of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth (29 December 2021-10 January 2022) 
• Rainfall and flooding within SEQ (22 February-7 March 2022) 

Read more about the Resilient Homes Fund

This assistance is made available through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. 

Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) staff are visiting homeowners this week, providing flood recovery advice and urging them to only use licensed tradespeople for their important building work.

QBCC Commissioner, Anissa Levy, says it is understandable that affected owners want to start work as soon as possible but it is equally important that they ensure the work is done correctly, legally and to all appropriate standards.

"I know that owners urgently want their homes repaired but if the work isn’t done properly the first time, it could potentially create further problems down the track," Ms Levy says.

"It’s also important that owners speak to their insurer before attempting or authorising any building work, including emergency repairs, as unauthorised work may not be covered by an
insurance policy."

The QBCC website features a 'Find a Local Contractor' search function to help those owners who need to locate and contact qualified, licensed local tradespeople.

Owners are also encouraged to use contracts to help safeguard all parties in case of potential future disputes. Contracts are available to download for free from the QBCC website. 

"When the important rebuilding work starts in flood-affected areas, the QBCC will be there to check licences and inspect work, to protect owners and ensure a level playing field for licensed contractors," Ms Levy says.

For licensees

For property owners

QBCC Commissioner Richard Cassidy said there was a range of information and resources online for people and businesses affected by floods or seeking flooding assistance.

“Events like this have a huge impact on the community and we're here to help,” he said.

“We encourage anyone affected by the floods to take extra steps to stay safe during the clean-up and know there are a number of helpful guides and tips on how to start the clean-up, and how to do it safely.

“There is a flood cleaning checklist which looks at where to start with general cleaning as well as what to do with cavity walls, concrete floors, plaster board and fixtures and fittings, to name a few.

“A floods health and safety checklist looks at initial post-flood safety and awareness around electricity and gas supply, as well as strip-out and clean procedures for insulation, water damaged furniture, carpets and any other absorbent items.”

Mr Cassidy said it was important people followed these simple steps to stop any further damage to their properties, as well as keep them and their families safe.

“We know this can be an emotional time and having these checklists on hand helps take the guess work out of what needs to be done next,” he said.

Further fact sheets and checklists are available on the QBCC website.

If you don’t have internet access, please phone QBCC on 13 93 33.

Many homes in both areas suffered flood damage and needed repairs after the waters receded. Regardless of whether the damage needed minor or major repair work, the QBCC was involved to ensure building standards were upheld, giving residents peace of mind.

After Inglewood flooded late last year staff from the QBCC Toowoomba office were quickly on hand at the Inglewood Recovery Hub to centre to reassure residence and provide information and guidance about compliant and safe building work. Tiffany Barber and Kaitlyn Healy (pictured below) gave residents information about licence registers and advice on mould awareness, asbestos management and the impacts of flood waters on plumbing.

Ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth also caused major flooding on the Fraser Coast earlier this year, resulting in many homes and buildings needing significant and ongoing repairs. A team from the QBCC was put together to support recovery efforts and provide help and information about flood-related home repairs and rebuilding.  

The major building and construction related concerns people were looking for following the floods included information on repairs to damaged plasterboard, timber and timber homes and using plumbing and water in flood and cyclone-affected areas.

In both areas the QBCC’s skills and experience assisted by reminding property owners that if repair work or rebuilding was needed to always use a licensed contractor, and if the building work was valued over $3,300 to ensure a contract was in place for the work.

The QBCC’s social media channels also gave timely advice to people in the affected areas by advising that the QBCC website has a free search tool to help identify and contact local licensees and a variety of building contracts for free download, including a Natural Disaster Repairs Contract.

Extensive information for home owners and contractors about rebuilding after a natural disaster, including flood events, can be found all year round on the QBCC website.  

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QBCC Commissioner, Richard Cassidy, said the QBCC had always stepped up to help Queenslanders following natural disasters, and the QBCC’s skills and experience would now assist residents affected by ex-Tropical Cyclone Seth.

He said anyone seeking information about building-related work should visit the QBCC website, and anyone with questions should submit a general enquiry online, or phone the QBCC on 139 333.

“This is a difficult time for many people, including our local staff but the QBCC is here to help provide reassurance and guidance about compliant, safe building work,” Mr Cassidy said.

He urged property owners to only ever use licensed contractors, and to use contracts for any building work valued over $3,300.

The QBCC website has a free search tool to help identify and contact local licensees and a variety of building contracts for free download, including a Natural Disaster Repairs Contract.

The QBCC website also has extensive information for home owners and contractors about rebuilding after flood events, including information on repairs to damaged plasterboard, timber, and timber homes.

In addition to these services, the QBCC office at 302 Alice Street, Maryborough, is open 9am-5pm weekdays.

We have a range of online resources that may help you if you have been affected.

• Rebuilding after a natural disaster

Home owner

• Tips for rebuilding after a flood
• Home owner’s guide to rebuilding after a flood
• Find a local contractor

Contractor

• Contractor’s guide to rebuilding after a flood

If you need to get in touch with us, you can:

• call us on 139 333
• submit a general enquiry