How Can We Rebuild Differently?

Rethinking Infrastructure for a Resilient Future

The devastating floods that have impacted Queensland and New South Wales in recent years have highlighted critical weaknesses in infrastructure design. Roads, bridges, and essential utilities have repeatedly failed under extreme weather conditions, leaving communities stranded and governments facing enormous recovery costs.

The question is clear: how can we rebuild differently to prevent this cycle of destruction and repair? Investing in resilient infrastructure is not just an economic necessity—it is a long-term strategy to protect communities and ensure infrastructure can withstand future disasters.

Lessons from Recent Floods – What Failed and Why?

Repeated infrastructure failures during floods expose design flaws and vulnerabilities:

• Low-lying roads and bridges – Many key transport routes, including sections of the Bruce Highway, have been inundated multiple times due to poor elevation and drainage design.
• Traditional road materials – Standard asphalt and concrete degrade quickly when submerged, leading to costly repairs and extended road closures.
• Inadequate stormwater management – Overflowing storm drains and inadequate floodways exacerbate urban flooding, as seen in Brisbane’s flood-prone suburbs.
• Missed opportunities for resilience – Examples like the Kedron Bikeway, which was rebuilt after flooding without modifications to prevent future damage, highlight a failure to incorporate resilience in reconstruction efforts.

Resilient Design Strategies

To break the cycle of damage and rebuilding, modern engineering approaches must be adopted:

• Elevated Roadways and Bridges
  • Raising critical transport links above known flood levels reduces the risk of repeated damage.
  • The planned Fitzroy River Bridge redesign in Rockhampton is an example of how raising infrastructure can improve resilience while maintaining connectivity.
• Flood-Resilient Materials
  • Innovations such as self-healing concrete and permeable pavements extend the lifespan of infrastructure in flood-prone areas.
  • These materials allow for water absorption and drainage, reducing surface runoff and minimising erosion.
• Smarter Drainage and Stormwater Systems
  • Implementing urban water management strategies, such as Brisbane’s WaterSmart strategy, can mitigate flood risks by improving stormwater capture and reuse.
  • Expanding green infrastructure, such as wetlands and permeable green spaces, reduces pressure on drainage systems.

Global Examples of Resilient Infrastructure

Internationally, there are successful examples of infrastructure built to withstand extreme weather events:

• Netherlands’ Delta Works – This world-leading flood protection system includes floating infrastructure that could be adapted for use in Queensland’s flood-prone regions.
• Japan’s Earthquake-Resistant Buildings – While designed for seismic activity, Japan’s approach to resilient urban planning offers valuable lessons in designing adaptable, disaster-resistant infrastructure.
• USA’s Hurricane-Resilient Communities – Cities like New Orleans have adopted storm surge barriers and elevated structures to reduce damage from extreme weather events.

The Cost of Building Better vs. The Cost of Rebuilding

One of the biggest barriers to resilient infrastructure is cost. However, the financial burden of repeated reconstruction often outweighs the upfront investment required to build better:

• Long-Term Savings: While resilient infrastructure may have a higher initial cost, the reduced maintenance and repair expenses over time justify the investment.
• Economic and Social Benefits: Avoiding prolonged disruptions to transport, utilities, and communities reduces economic losses and improves quality of life.
• Case Study: What Not to Do: The Kedron Bikeway in Brisbane was rebuilt after flood damage in exactly the same way, only to be destroyed again in subsequent floods. This is a prime example of why integrating resilience into reconstruction is critical.

On the other hand, Brisbane’s ferry terminals are now being constructed with planned fail points that allow the structures to ‘fail’ when under pressure, but in a controlled manner, ensuring the core infrastructure remains intact with minimal damage caused by trapped materials surging along the river. In addition, guardrails on key pedestrian bridges in flood-prone areas now ‘fail’ with key bolts shearing under pressure to the guardrails lie flat, allowing materials to pass over rather than be trapped by the structure.

Conclusion – The Future of Resilient Infrastructure

Australia must shift its approach to infrastructure planning and reconstruction. Rather than simply restoring what was lost, we need to prioritise building back better. Through innovative materials, smarter designs, and strategic urban planning, we can create infrastructure that stands the test of time and climate change.

Investing in resilience today will prevent avoidable losses tomorrow.

References:

1. Queensland Government (2023). Building Resilient Infrastructure for a Changing Climate. Retrieved from: https://www.qld.gov.au
2. Brisbane City Council (2023). WaterSmart Strategy and Urban Flood Management. Retrieved from: https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au
3. Infrastructure Australia (2023). The Cost of Resilient Infrastructure vs. Recovery. Retrieved from: https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au

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