Gold Coast warned of “devastating” damage from natural disasters in new report

The Gold Coast is in more danger of “devastating” damage from a cyclone in southeast Queensland than Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast, warns a new report.

Brian Reichelt from Foilage Farm surveying the damage from recent storms and floods in the Kriedman Rd area. Picture Glenn Hampson

The Gold Coast is in more danger of “devastating” damage from a cyclone in southeast Queensland than Brisbane or the Sunshine Coast, warns a new report.

Even if the cyclone crossed north of the city at Moreton Bay, the Coast and its hinterland would sustain three times more wreckage to residential buildings than other regions.

The updated research showing the dangers is provided in a report on Program AIR, a five-year project which will see the council outlay $100m to help cyclone proof the Coast.

City Disaster and Emergency Management Unit officers considered the worst possible scenario using modelling from 2018 Severe Wind Hazard Assessment for Queensland project.

“As a result of rapid population growth, property value growth and increased exposure to tropical cyclones and flooding due to climate change, the Gold Coast is one location that is expected to see the greatest increase in natural disaster costs,” officers wrote.

Storm damage left behind at California Drive, Oxenford on Christmas Day. Picture Glenn Hampson

The scenario used was a cyclone which begins in the Solomon Islands, moves southward for five days gaining strength before weakening and making landfall as a Category 3 storm in Moreton Bay near Wellington Point.

Category 3 cyclones have winds of between 170 to 224 km/h causing structural damage to older and poorly maintained homes along with power and mobile telephone failure.

“The steep topography over the Gold Coast means extreme winds are possible well inland. Urban areas closer to the coast may also see extreme wind gusts due to extensive canal estates, particularly between Main Beach to Coolangatta,” officers wrote.

The impact would cause “devastating consequences and economic loss” for the city.

At least 137,115 residential buildings would experience moderate to extensive damage. Of those, 815 would be destroyed.

Wongawallan resident Lynnette Lynch’s home was flooded by the intense rain acxross Christmas and the New Year. Pics Adam Head

In terms of damaged buildings, all the other nearby regions were much better off – Brisbane (43,200), Redlands (43,665), Moreton Bay (16,900), Sunshine Coast (1401) and Noosa (nil) escaped with a much lower toll of serious building damage.

Officers warned the recent Christmas night storm on the Coast, where winds reached in excess of 160km/h – the equivalent of a Category 2 cyclone – showcased the impact of severe wind events on the city.

The council response is Program Air along with the development of a Tropical Cyclone Subplan to support the Local Disaster Management Plan, where council staff complete training and scenario drills.

Damaged caused by the Christmas Day storm to an Upper Coomera home.

Council has acknowledged the need for real-time updates and alerts to residents was a priority.

About 130,000 homes were without power during the Christmas storm. Almost 4000 households continued without electricity after 11 days.

Those residents were unable to get internet or access from their properties to emergency updates, sparking household doorknocking by the City staffers checking on their welfare.

City officers as part of a future education campaign will urge residents to consider the hazards around their home and work on a plan.

This would include buying a generator for some back-up power.

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Originally published as Gold Coast warned of “devastating” damage from natural disasters in new report