Logan City Council’s updated flood risk mapping has triggered an insurance crisis affecting 20,000 residents, with some facing premium increases that could render their homes uninsurable.
Corrie Chabau received notification last week that his property had been reclassified under the council’s new flood mapping system. His home insurance premium has already jumped by $1,200 this year, reaching more than $5,000 annually – nearly double Queensland’s average of $2,735, according to Canstar data.
“They’ve just destroyed everyone’s livelihoods,” Chabau told 9News. “All the houses are basically worth nothing now, and we can’t insure them.”
The council issued approximately 20,000 letters in late August to residents in moderate- and high-flood-risk areas as part of a draft town plan required by the Queensland government. Logan City, crossed by two rivers and almost 90 creeks, experienced severe flooding as recently as 2022.
Mayor Jon Raven said the mapping “considers a range of floods, from common to extremely rare, and their potential impact.” He emphasised that the council has “no control” over insurance premiums, stating: “We can’t stop floods but we can better understand and plan for them.”
However, residents dispute the accuracy of the new classifications. Chabau, who has lived in Logan for more than 13 years, said the mapping fails to reflect actual flood experiences in his area.
“Even through Cyclone Debbie, when we had 400mm in 20 hours, by the next day, you would not even know we had the rain,” he said. “All the water’s gone.”
Some Logan residents report receiving insurance quotes between $17,000 and $30,000 based on the updated mapping, while others fear their properties will become completely uninsurable for flood damage.
The crisis reflects a broader national trend. A 2024 Climate Valuation report found more than half a million Australian homes face a high risk of becoming uninsurable for flood damage by 2030. Thirteen suburbs were identified as “black zones” where more than 80% of homes risk becoming uninsurable, including Tweed Heads South and Chinderah, located less than two hours from Logan.
Public consultation on the draft town plan runs until October 31, with more than 50 engagement events planned. Council will review submissions before providing the updated plan to the Queensland government next year.
At a packed community meeting held Monday night, residents expressed anger over the potential insurance implications. Chabau said he heard an elderly couple say: “We are going to lose everything because of this.”
If premiums reach five digits, Chabau said he may risk going uninsured, as he simply cannot afford the cost.
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