DESIGN GUIDANCE FOR

FLOOD RESILIENT HOMES

August 2022
 Flood Resilience in Queensland Understanding your flood risk
Resilient Homes Fund Refer to your LGA council website to access flood risk
This guidance can help you information about your property.
understand how homes Queensland homeowners who experienced damage to
their residential property as a result of flooding in 2021–22 It is important to note, there are three common types of
may be improved to achieve can now register their interest for the $741 million Resilient flooding:
greater flood resilience. Homes Fund. Local overland flow flooding is water that runs across
Flood risks, flood resilient The Resilient Homes Fund was developed following the the ground after heavy rain and occurs very quickly during
2021–22 disaster season and applies to flood-affected storm events.
building design approaches
and resilience strategies for residential properties within 39 local government areas (LGA) Creek flooding is caused by heavy rainfall in the local
activated for Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for catchments. It often flows quickly and can cause flash
different house types are all recent flooding. flooding within an hour of areas around creeks and
explained. Helpful design The program recognises there is not a ‘one size fits all’ waterways.
checklists are also provided. approach. Funding will be used to repair, retrofit, raise or River flooding is caused when widespread, prolonged
buy-back eligible properties. rain falls over the river catchment area (e.g. Brisbane river
Strategies that may be catchment, Burnett river catchment) causing high flows of
Different options for homeowners will be considered on a
eligible for funding are clearly water to rise and flow over our river’s banks. River flooding
case-by-case basis, which will be specific to their level of
identified while others that fall flood damage, future flood risk, property type and personal downstream can occur days after the rain has stopped.
outside the funding program circumstance.
are included for education Resilient Retrofit Program What is Flood Resilient Building Design?
purposes only. Funding is available to incorporate flood resilient design The use of materials, construction systems and house
and materials in liveable rooms or areas and to raise or design types that can withstand substantial and multiple
For more information email inundations by actively mitigating the effects of, and
relocate services essential to the continued liveability of the
[email protected]. home. Funding is available to both insured and uninsured decreasing the consequences of flooding.
au or call 13 QGOV (13 74 68). homeowners. Funding does not cover the yard, other Flood resilient building design enables homeowners to safely
ancillary structures or any common property areas. remove and store belongings prior to a flood event and
Home Raising Program easily clean, repair and quickly resume normal life after the
flood waters recede, with minimal long term disruption to
Funding is available to both insured and uninsured family and finances.
homeowners to raise their home to reduce the impact of
future flood events. The habitable floor of the home is to be
raised to meet or exceed the Flood Hazard Level (minimum The Benefits of a Flood Resilient Home
habitable floor level), as defined by the relevant local
A flood resilient home may help:
government planning scheme.
• Minimise the chance of flood damage to your property.
Voluntary Home Buy-back Program
• Minimise the costs and inconveniences of getting your life
Homes in areas of known high flood risk areas which are
back to normal after flood events.
determined not be suitable for retrofit or raising, will be
considered for Voluntary Home Buy-back. This program will • Save you in the long-term from having to pay for repetitive
be delivered on a case by case basis, taking into account repairs to your home following flood events.
owner preferences, flood risk and economic viability.
• Prepare your home for changing flood conditions in the
future, particularly from climate change.

This guidance aims to

minimise the impact of
flooding for existing flood
affected homes through the
use of flood resilient materials
and construction methods. All
works should be undertaken
in accordance with your local
planning scheme’s flood
hazard overlay code and
relevant building codes and
A home retrofitted for flood resilience standards.

1 Design guidance for flood resilient homes August 2022 2

Flood Resilient Building Design Flood Resilient Building Design and
Approaches Insurance
You can consider a combination of wet proofing and Homes at a higher risk of flooding may face increasingly Resilient Retrofit
elevation design approaches to improve your home’s higher insurance premiums. The insurance industry Program
resilience. recognises that the use of flood resilient design principles is
effective in reducing damage costs. The following sections illustrate a
Wet proofing range of flood-resilient strategies
Homeowners are encouraged to speak with their insurance covered by the Resilient Retrofit
Wet proofing involves using provider about the resilient building works undertaken on
flood resilient materials and Program, and how four common
their property. house types in Queensland could
construction techniques to allow
flood waters to enter the house apply these strategies to become
with a minimised chance of flood resilient.
damage and moisture problems Though not a comprehensive list
afterwards. By accepting a level of house types, the flood resilient
of risk through wet proofing, and strategies shown are common for
creating space for water to flow, Common problems from flooding many types of buildings and can
you can be better prepared for help reduce the impact of flooding
the next time a flood happens. on your home.
This means working with water Some parts of the home are more vulnerable
rather than against it. to flooding. Look at your house type and
find the strategies that may help
improve the resilience of your home.
Elevation
Raising the level of the house
and its services is effective at
mitigating flood damage to your
home. Footings, posts, slabs
and other structures all need to
withstand flood water flowing
across the site. Services such
as external air conditioning
condenser units, hot water units
and electrical meter boards can
be raised to minimise the chance
of important utilities failing. Mould and rot Disintegration
Elevation does not guarantee of linings
the property won’t flood again
in the future. Homeowners are
encouraged to consider the
future flood levels projected for
their property when elevating
their home.
For detailed flood information specific to your property you
should contact your local council or seek advice from a
suitably qualified engineer.
There are other design approaches, such as dry proofing,
which may be appropriate in specific circumstances. Dry
proofing of houses is not covered by the Resilient Homes
Fund.
Swelling of Malfunctioning
cabinetry services

A home retrofitted for flood resilience

Photo credit: Scott Burrows Photographer

3 Design guidance for flood resilient homes August 2022 4

Resilient Retrofit Program Walls (continued) Floors
Expert Assessments Eligible Strategies
The Resilient Homes Fund provides support to homeowners The Resilient Retrofit Program helps
who experienced damage from Queensland’s major flood events homeowners with a wide range of
in 2021 and 2022. This support includes a Home Assessment flood resilient retrofitting strategies to
where our expert assessors help affected homeowners suit the many different house types in
understand their flood risks and identify opportunities to improve Queensland. Throughout the document,
the resilience of the home. An assessment includes identifying strategies that may be covered by the
which resilient retrofit strategies are suitable and can be covered fund are circled green, while others are
by the Resilient Retrofit Program and providing preliminary advice provided for educational purposes only. Add additional weep Replace non-resilient Replace non-resilient Use flood resilient grout Surface control on
on suitability for the House-raising Program or the Voluntary holes to help dry out mouldings and flooring and skirting and apply flood resilient sub-floor ground to
Home Buy-back Program. the wall cavity or skirtings with water with flood resilient sealant when tiling or increase resilience
sub-floor impervious mouldings flooring and skirting re-tiling wet areas
Under the Resilient Retrofit Program funding is available for
covered resilient retrofit strategies (as shown on this page) in Stairs Openings
rooms or areas of the home assessed as being affected by
flooding. The illustrations of house types on the following pages
show all the strategies covered by the Resilient Homes Fund,
along with other strategies that may be suitable for your home but
are not covered by the funding program (for example raising the
pool pump is not covered by the program). Look at your house
type and find the strategies that may help improve the resilience
of your home.
Homeowners are advised to consider the structural condition
of their home, property levels, building code compliance and Make the bottom Replace closed riser Replace hollow core Install flush door Replace cavity sliding Door changes to Retrofit garage doors
planning scheme requirements before agreeing to any works. riser of stairs stairs with open doors with solid core sills to ensure easy doors with a swing maximise the existing with permeable
removable for easy riser stairs made doors cleaning after a flood or face-of-wall sliding opening doors to allow water
cleaning and drying from flood resilient event doors to flow through
out materials
Services Cabinetry, bathrooms and laundry

Raise air conditioning Raise the electrical Raise storage Raise the water tank Install separate Replace non-resilient Allow cabinetry Install raised Raise kitchen Raise storage
condenser units switchboard hot water unit or pump and electrical circuits (with cabinetry with flood kickboards to be cabinetry appliances shelves
replace with a raised systems breakers) on the resilient cabinetry removable
instantaneous gas lower and upper
Walls hot water unit levels Cabinetry, bathrooms and laundry Fixtures

Where possible, Use flood resilient Paint existing pine Replace loose-fill Replace wall linings Install a removable Install wall hung Raise the washing Raise data and Install corrosion-
replace cavity walls wall framing to frame cavity walls insulation with rigid with flood resilient panel or replace cabinetry, or install wall machine and dryer electrical points resistant door and
with non-cavity walls minimise the chance to assist in future cell insulation in wall linings the built-in bathtub hung vanity bench with window hardware
to minimise the of mould or damage, cleaning and prevent cavity walls with a freestanding no cabinetry
chance of mould mould growth bathtub or a shower

5 Design guidance for flood resilient homes August 2022 6

 Legend Replace existing
fences with permeable
Double storey, ground May be covered by Resilient Homes Fund fencing components
Not covered by the Resilient Homes Fund that allow water to
floor double brick walls, flow through
slab on ground
House types help contextualise options on
your property. The strategies outlined are
not exclusive for this type and could be
applied to many situations.

Garden beds with

deep friable soils can
help to slow, filter and
collect water

Replace existing Raise the electrical Raise air conditioning Raise window sills to Raise the hot
ground cover with switchboard condenser units minimise chance of water unit
permeable materials water entry
to absorb and slow
the flow of water

7 Design guidance for flood resilient homes August 2022 8

 Legend

Double storey, ground May be covered by Resilient Homes Fund

floor double brick walls, Not covered by the Resilient Homes Fund

slab on ground Make the bottom

Replace non- Add additional weep
Replace wall linings resilient flooring holes to help dry out
riser of stairs
with flood resilient with flood resilient the wall cavity
removable for easy
wall linings flooring
cleaning and drying
out

Locate
habitable areas
on the upper
floor of the
home

Locate non-
habitable areas
such as utility
rooms on the
lower level of
the home

Install separate circuits Raise the washing Replace loose-fill Where possible, Use flood resilient Raise data and
(with breakers) on the machine and dryer insulation with rigid replace cavity walls wall framing to electrical points
lower and upper levels cell insulation in with non-cavity walls minimise the chance
cavity walls of mould or damage

9 Design guidance for flood resilient homes August 2022 10

 Legend

May be covered by Resilient Homes Fund

Single storey, timber framed Not covered by the Resilient Homes Fund
walls, slab on ground

Raise the pool

pump and electrical
systems

Replace existing
fences with
permeable fences
that allow water to
flow through
Where possible,
replace cavity walls
with non-cavity walls
to minimise the
chance of mould

Raise window sills to Install water tanks Replace existing

Install flush door Retrofit garage doors Raise the water tank Raise air conditioning
minimise chance of to collect rainwater. ground cover with
sills to ensure easy with permeable doors pump and electrical condenser units
water entry Ensure unit is permeable materials
cleaning after a to allow water to flow systems
secured to ground. to absorb and slow
flood event through the flow of water

11 Design guidance for flood resilient homes August 2022 12

 Legend

May be covered by Resilient Homes Fund

Single storey, timber framed Not covered by the Resilient Homes Fund
walls, slab on ground

Replace non- Replace loose-fill

Replace wall linings resilient flooring insulation with rigid Replace wall linings
with flood resilient with flood resilient cell insulation in with flood resilient
wall linings flooring cavity walls wall linings

Replace storage hot Door changes Replace cabinetry Raise data and Replace cavity Replace skirting Apply flood resilient Install wall hung Install a removable Raise air
water units with a raised to maximise the with flood resilient electrical points sliding doors with with flood resilient sealant to existing cabinetry, or install wall panel or replace the conditioning
instantaneous gas hot existing opening cabinetry a swing or face of skirting tiled areas to minimise hung vanity bench with built-in bathtub with a condenser units
water unit wall sliding doors the chance of mould no cabinetry freestanding bathtub
and damage or a shower

13 Design guidance for flood resilient homes August 2022 14

 Legend

May be covered by Resilient Homes Fund Install water tanks

to collect rainwater.
Single storey, brick veneer Not covered by the Resilient Homes Fund Ensure unit is
walls, slab on ground secured to ground.

Raise the water tank

pump and electrical
systems

Replace existing Raise air conditioner Replace storage hot Raise window sills to Replace existing Garden beds with Retrofit carport
fences with permeable condenser units water units with a minimise chance of ground cover with deep friable soils can with permeable
fencing components raised instantaneous water entry permeable materials help to slow, filter and screening to allow
that allow water to gas hot water unit to absorb and slow collect water water to flow
flow through the flow of water through

15 Design guidance for flood resilient homes August 2022 16

 Legend

May be covered by Resilient Homes Fund

Single storey, brick veneer Not covered by the Resilient Homes Fund
walls, slab on ground Retrofit carport
Replace loose-fill with permeable
Raise storage insulation with rigid screening to allow
Install raised
shelves cell insulation in water to flow
cabinetry
cavity walls through

Replace existing
ground cover with Use flood resilient Replace the built- Install wall hung Replace skirting Door changes Raise kitchen Raise data and Add additional weep Raise the washing
permeable materials grout when tiling or in bathtub with cabinetry, or install wall with flood resilient to maximise the appliances electrical points holes to help dry out machine and dryer
to absorb and slow re-tiling wet areas a freestanding hung vanity bench with skirting existing opening the wall cavity
the flow of water bathtub or a no cabinetry
shower

17 Design guidance for flood resilient homes August 2022 18

 Legend

Single storey with attic, May be covered by Resilient Homes Fund

timber framed walls, raised Not covered by the Resilient Homes Fund Strategically place
garden structures to
on stumps help maintain existing
flow paths

A mezzanine or
loft space can
be a safe refuge
during major
flood events

Raise the water tank Install water tanks Surface control on Garden beds with Add air vents to Replace existing Create a rain garden
pump and electrical to collect rainwater. sub-floor ground to deep friable soils can enclosed sub- ground cover with system to help slow,
systems Ensure unit is increase resilience help to slow, filter and floor spaces and permeable materials filter and collect flood
secured to ground. collect water garages to absorb and slow water
the flow of water

19 Design guidance for flood resilient homes August 2022 20

 Legend

Single storey with attic, May be covered by Resilient Homes Fund

Raise the washing
timber framed walls, raised Not covered by the Resilient Homes Fund machine and dryer
on stumps
A mezzanine or
loft space can
be a safe refuge
during major
flood events

Install water tanks Raise the water tank Utilise the roof
to collect rainwater. pump and electrical space to store
Ensure unit is systems belongings
secured to ground. during a flood
event

Apply flood resilient Replace cabinetry Replace wall linings Replace Surface control on Replace closer riser Add air vents to Install flush door Where possible, Use flood resilient
sealant to existing with flood resilient with flood resilient mouldings with sub-floor ground to stairs with open enclosed sub- sills to ensure easy replace cavity walls wall framing to
tiled areas to minimise cabinetry wall linings water impervious increase resilience riser stairs made floor spaces and cleaning after a with non-cavity walls minimise the chance
the chance of mould mouldings from flood resilient garages flood event of mould or damage
and damage materials

21 Design guidance for flood resilient homes August 2022 22

 Flood Resilient Design Checklist
In the Home (may be covered by Resilient Homes Fund)
You can use a
combination of wet
Use single-skin walls rather than cavity walls
proofing and elevation
Walls with cavities such as brick veneer and typical plasterboard stud walls
to improve your home’s are prone to trapping water within the wall linings, damaging the framing and
flood resilience. Speak forming mould. When replacing or building new walls, the use of single-skin
walls is highly recommended.
to a building professional
about what is practical
and financially possible Use water-resistant framing
for your situation. When building framed walls, it is not recommended to use softwoods such as
pine as it is prone to rot and mould after inundation and can decay quickly. It
is recommended to build with higher performance water-resistant wall framing
materials such as hardwoods or steel. If pine framing is impractical to replace,
paint existing frames to assist in future cleaning and prevent mould growth.

Replace loose-fill insulation with rigid insulation

Loose-fill insulation such as batt insulation is commonly found in wall cavities,
however they absorb a great deal of moisture and must be replaced after
a flood to avoid mould. Replace loose-fill insulation with rigid or closed-cell
insulation such as extruded polystyrene insulation which are water-resistant.

Replace non flood resilient wall linings with flood resilient wall linings
Replace non flood resilient wall linings such as plasterboard with flood resilient
wall linings such as fibre cement in order to minimise the chance of flood
damage. When installing new flood resilient wall linings, apply waterproofing
membrane onto a flood resilient substrate such as fibre cement sheet
underneath internal wall linings to further minimise the chance of flood damage.

Replace non flood resilient mouldings with flood resilient mouldings

Replace non flood resilient mouldings such as pine with flood resilient
mouldings such as hardwood timber to minimise the chance of flood damage.
Pine and other softwood moulding is prone to buckling after becoming wet.
Replace these with flood resilient mouldings, such as composite or hardwood
to ensure resilience.

Add additional weep holes to double brick and brick veneer walls
Installing additional weep holes will help to quickly dry out the cavity of a
double brick or brick veneer wall. It is important to clean out any existing weep
holes to prevent water getting trapped in the wall cavity.

Add air vents to enclosed sub-floor spaces and garages

Installing air vents to enclosed sub-floor areas and garages will help to quickly
dry out the area after a flood event.

23 Design guidance for flood resilient homes August 2022 24

Flood Resilient Design Checklist Flood Resilient Design Checklist
In the Home (may be covered by Resilient Homes Fund) In the Home (may be covered by Resilient Homes Fund)

Remove cavities or voids under stairs Use solid core doors instead of hollow core doors
To enable an easy post-flood clean-out, stairs should be designed to limit Replace hollow core doors with solid core doors to minimise the chance of
inaccessible areas such as cavities or voids below them. Stairs with open risers delamination, warping and rot. As an alternative, use solid timber, aluminium or
(not closed in) made with flood resilient materials will quickly dry out after a glass doors.
flood. Alternatively, stairs up to the possible flood line can be made from solid
concrete with no cavity underneath.

Install flush sills in doorways

Make the bottom riser of the stairs removable
Small steps and sills are often the cause of a small layer of water remaining
If an existing cavity stair is at risk of flooding and you cannot replace it with inside of a house, complicating the clean up process after a flood event. Limit
open riser, water-resistant stairs, adjust the bottom riser so that it is removable. the sills which obstruct the drainage and discharge of flood waters from the
This will allow for easy cleaning and drying out after a flood event. interior and install flush sills recessed into a concrete floor.

Replace non flood resilient flooring with flood resilient flooring Replace cavity sliding doors with swing or face of wall sliding doors
Replace non flood resilient flooring with flood resilient flooring to minimise the Replace cavity sliding doors with swing or face of wall sliding doors to minimise
chance of damage and allow for easy cleaning and drying out after a flood the chance of flood water ingress into your cavity wall. Ensure when you
event. When replacing flooring, ensure non-resilient substrates (subsurface replace the door that you also seal off the existing cavity.
materials) are replaced with flood resilient substrates. This will minimise
warping, rot and damage to the flooring and below the floor.

Apply a grout sealant to an existing tiled floor with non flood resilient Install a permeable garage door if garage is attached to house
grout
If your garage is attached to your house, permeable garage doors can help in
Adding a grout sealant will help to increase the water resistance of the grout, maintaining existing flow paths to reduce adverse impacts to your home and
which will minimise the chance of mould and flood water damage to the tiles neighbouring properties. Make garage doors permeable so that they do not
after a flood event. block the natural flow of water. This should be used in conjunction with other
wet-proofing strategies.

Use flood resilient grout when tiling or re-tiling wet areas Install corrosion resistant door and window hardware
When tiling or re-tiling wet areas, ensure flood resilient grout is used. Otherwise Install corrosion resistant door and window hardware so these do not need to
referred to as ‘semi-epoxy’ this grout is less porous and ensures that the wall be repaired or replaced following a flood event.
lining beneath tiles is protected and minimises the chance of mould.

Replace non flood resilient skirtings with flood resilient skirtings Install flood resilient cabinetry
Replace non flood resilient skirtings such as pine with flood resilient skirtings Cabinetry is often the most expensive element in a house to replace after a
such as hardwood timber or tiles to minimise the chance of flood damage. Non flood event. The chance of flood damage can be minimised by using water-
flood resilient skirtings such as pine and other softwoods are prone damage resistant materials for all cabinetry including the benchtop, doors, outer panels
such as warping and rot after becoming wet. Flood resilient skirtings also allow and the carcass(internal cabinetry frame).
for easy wash out after a flood event.

Add ground surface control to the undercroft of the house Allow the kickboard to be removable
For houses suspended on posts, in some cases, the ground under a house Adjust the kickboard on the cabinetry units so that they are removable. This will
may be causing dirt and mud to interfere with the structure of the house. allow for easy cleaning and drying out after a flood event.
Ground surface control (e.g. a concrete blinding layer) can help seal the
underlying material, protecting the posts and making it easier to clean.

25 Design guidance for flood resilient homes August 2022 26

Flood Resilient Design Checklist Flood Resilient Design Checklist
In the Home (may be covered by Resilient Homes Fund) In the Yard (not covered by Resilient Homes Fund)

Install raised cabinetry Create a swale

Where possible, install cabinetry so that it is raised. For example, consider Swales (or bioswales) are a landscape feature and can be used to redirect flood
installing wall hung kitchen cabinetry or installing a wall hung vanity basin in the water away from a dwelling. Planted swales are relatively inexpensive and can be
bathroom instead of a built-in cabinetry unit. aesthetically pleasing. The design and location of swales should complement and
support existing stormwater drainage plans for the site. Note: consult a landscape
architect.

Install a removable panel or replace cavity bathtubs with freestanding

Create a rain garden system
bathtubs or showers
Similarly to swales, rain gardens collect water and are vegetated with water plants
Built-in baths with cavities, often built into cabinetry or in tiled areas, are prone
and help slow, filter and collect flood water. Note: consult a landscape architect.
to trapping water, damaging the framing and forming mould. A removable panel,
freestanding bathtub or shower eliminates gaps where water can be trapped
and enables easy access for cleaning around the entire tub.

Raise kitchen appliances if possible Increase garden absorption area with deep friable topsoil/mulch
Raise fridges, dishwashers, ovens and all other appliances to keep your Increase the garden areas of your property with plants to filter and slow flood
houses kitchen functioning and prevent failure. This is useful for low levels of waters. Shaping lawn areas so they have a minimum fall of 1:50 towards gardens
flooding. and swales help with directing water away from the dwelling. Deep friable top soils
are recommended for a greater collection of water and healthy growth of plants and
collection. Note: consult a landscape architect.

Elevate appliances Replace solid fences and screening with permeable fencing components
Stand-alone appliances such as front-loading washing machines and dryers Reduce flood damage to fences by ensuring the fence is water permeable and
can be easily raised onto stainless steel benches or wall brackets to minimise made of a resilient material. If privacy or noise is a concern, fences should be
the chance of flood damage. permeable up to a height that allows water to flow with ease, and then solid above
that point. Some suggested screening materials include: aluminium, composite
timber, hardwood timber, and recycled plastic palings.

Elevate external services such as air conditioning condenser units, hot Increase permeable surface areas
water units, rainwater tank pumps and electrical meter boards Use permeable paving materials and/or remove any unnecessary hard surfaces
Ensure the above external services are raised to keep utilities functioning to allow the ground to absorb water. Some options include: gravel, decomposed
during a flood event and minimise the chance of flood damage. Hot water units granite, permeable pavers, permeable concrete. It is recommended to reduce the
may be replaced by raised instantaneous gas hot water units in some cases. width of large paved areas. Note: Consult a Queensland Registered Professional
Pool tank pumps are not covered by Resilient Homes Fund. engineer if there are expansive soils and/or if surfaces are close to house.

Install separate circuits on the lower and upper levels Relocate or replace garden structures that block natural flow paths
Installing separate circuits to each storey allows electricity to run on the upper Strategically place garden structures to help maintain existing flow paths to reduce
level if the lower level circuit cuts off due to a flood event. adverse impacts on neighbouring properties. Make garden structures permeable so
that they do not block the natural flow of water and limit the use of retaining walls
that could act as barriers.

Elevate powerpoints Anchor external structures, such as rainwater tanks and sheds
Ensure the power-points, data points and all other electrical services are raised Floods have the ability to uplift structures such as rain water tanks and sweep
to minimise the chance of power outages and faults and allow provision for them downstream toward other properties potentially causing serious damage.
safety cut-off switches. Fixing them onto concrete slabs keeps them in place during heavy floods.

27 Design guidance for flood resilient homes August 2022 28

Flood Resilient Materials
Identify which of the following non-resilient materials are
present in your home and where possible, replace with
flood resilient materials.

Building Non flood resilient materials/ Building

Flood resilient materials Non flood resilient materials Flood resilient materials
element design element

• Large areas of impervious concrete • Grass • Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) panels • FC (fibre cement sheeting)
External ground surfaces • Mulch, deep crumbly soil Internal floor • Paticle board (yellow tongue sheet
cover • Permeable concrete substrate flooring)
• Permeable paving • Low grade, non-marine plywood
• Gravel, stones

• Wool and fibre cement batts • XPS (rigid) insulation

• Pine and other softwoods • Hardwood timber fencing • Other spray products • Closed cell flexible sheet insulation
• Composite timber fencing Insulation • Sprayed polyeurethane foam
Fencing • PVC fencing
• Metal fencing

• Hollow core doors • Solid core doors (wet proofing)

• Wall with cavities • Single skin hardwood stud walls Doors and • Aluminium doors and windows
• Single skin brick walls windows • Flood doors (dry proofing)
Wall construction • Single skin concrete block walls • Hardwood architraves
• Off-form concrete walls
• Autoclaved aerated concrete walls with
waterproofing membrane Mouldings • Pine mouldings • Hardwood mouldings
(skirtings, dado • Tile skirting
rails, architraves,
Wall framing • Pine • Hardwood cornices)
• Steel

• Particle board • Compact laminate

• Plasterboard • FC (fibre cement sheeting) • Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) panels • Acrylic solid surface
• Panelling made from pine or other • Tiles • Marine grade plywood
Internal wall linings softwoods • Hardwood panelling Cabinetry
• Composite timber panels
• Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) panels • Metal • Stainless steel frame (open)
• Polycarbonate / translucent sheeting • 316 grade stainless steel
• Marine grade plywood

• Laminate • Acrylic solid surface

• Carpet • Polished concrete • Particle board • Marine grade plywood
Cabinetry • Medium-density fibreboard (MDF) panels • Stone
• Floating timber floors • Tiles with epoxy grout and water-
• Vinyl on a non-resilient substrate resistant adhesive benchtops • Composite stone
• Cork • Hardwood flooring on a suspended • 316 grade stainless steel
Internal flooring hardwood sub-floor that is ventilated.
• Rubber / vinyl on a flood resilient
substrate with chemical set adhesive • Cement based grout • Semi-epoxy grout
Grout • Epoxy grout
• Polymer resin grout

29 Design guidance for flood resilient homes August 2022 30

 Further Information
Refer to your local government area (LGA) council
website to access flood risk information about
your property.
Refer to your local council’s website for latest
information on weather warnings, road closures,
flood watch cameras, power outages and open
evacuation centres.
For information about community support
services near you visit Regional community
support services.
Refer to the Flood Resilient Building Guidance for
Queensland Homes for a more comprehensive
guide.

Resilient Homes Fund

Registration
Eligible homeowners who are interested in any
of these programs are encouraged to visit the
Queensland Government Resilient Homes Fund
website and register their interest.
Registrations will help us understand the number
of people who require assistance, and the type of
assistance they require.
The details provided will also inform the rollout of
this significant and complex program, ensuring
those who need funding the most – those most
vulnerable in our communities – are prioritised.

Acknowledgements
This guidance has been produced in collaboration
with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority,
Local Government, the Office of The Queensland
Government Architect and JDA Co.

For enquiries about the Resilient Homes Fund:

Visit www.qld.gov.au/resilienthomes
Email [email protected]
Call 13 QGOV (13 74 68)