Community experiences of the 2022 Australian floods

Tasmania

Parts of northern Tasmania experienced destructive flooding in October 2022. This research will explore community experiences of the Tasmania State Emergency Service flood warning system, as well as community preparedness for flood. Locations include Launceston, the Meander Valley, Kentish, Latrobe, Northern Midlands, Central Coast and Break O’Day local government areas.

Supported by the Tasmania SES, this research will inform improvements to the flood warning system and community disaster preparedness programs. 

Community members who were flooded are invited to share their experiences by completing an online questionnaire, open until the end of August 2023. 

Research interviews with flooded residents took place from May to July 2023 and have now concluded.

Victoria and South Australia

Research is soon to begin in both Victoria and South Australia after the flooding in both states in spring 2022. Similar to the completed and still underway research in Queensland, New South Wales and Tasmania, this research will examine community experiences of the flooding through in-depth interviews and a questionnaire.

The in-depth interviews with community members and key stakeholder representatives (for example, SES staff and volunteers and other relevant personnel) will focus on distinct case studies in six locations across northern Victoria and South Australia to explore: 

• specific issues around population responses in areas impacted with moderate and longer lead times (all community members)  
• the experiences of First Nations peoples
• the experiences of those who are culturally and linguistically diverse.

Specific locations will be determined with lead sector partners prior to the research commencing.  

The questionnaire will be broad and open to anyone who was affected by the floods in Victoria and South Australia.

Queensland and New South Wales

The research is funded by Natural Hazards Research Australia, supported by the NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES).

The field work is being conducted by key researchers from Macquarie University, the Queensland University of Technology and the University of Southern Queensland.

Researchers will be speaking with community members in flood-affected areas using two methods:

1. An in-depth, semi-structured interview conducted either online or face-to-face (interviews have now closed).
2. An online questionnaire open to anyone impacted by the flooding in NSW and Queensland between January and July 2022.

Participants may be asked about their awareness of the floods, actions they may have taken to plan and prepare for them, how they responded to any warnings and how they were affected by the flooding.

Participation is entirely voluntary and strictly confidential. Participants will not receive a cash payment for their participation, and are free to withdraw at any time without having to give a reason. 

Residents from areas in south-east Queensland and NSW are especially encouraged to participate (although anyone from surrounding flood-affected areas is also welcome):

• Qld: Albion, Beenleigh, Bellbowrie, Caboolture, Dalby, Deagon, Gladstone, Gold Coast, Goodna, Grantham, Gympie, Herston, Laidley, Maryborough, Moggill, Noosa, North Burnett, Oxley, Redland, Rocklea, Rosalie, Scenic Rim, Somerset, Sunshine Coast, Warwick and Windsor.
• NSW: Ballina, Byron Bay, Cabbage Tree Island, Camden, Central Coast, Cessnock, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Coraki, Georges River, Hawkesbury, The Hills, Kyogle, Lismore, Maitland, Richmond Valley, Singleton/Bulga, Sutherland, Tumbulgum, Tweed Shire, Uki, Woodburn and Wollondilly.

The important first-hand experiences gathered for this research will provide an in-depth understanding of the communities’ lived experiences – before, during and following the significant flood events in 2022. This data will be a valuable source of accurate information to help agencies and stakeholders understand and learn from these floods.

Results will be made publicly available in early 2023 and will help influence future policy about warnings and communication, understand vulnerabilities, identify ways to better help and support households and communities, and provide guidance on the most effective approaches to the adaptation of housing to withstand floods.