A research agenda for improving flood resilience in Australia

Abstract

It is critical that we improve flood resilience in Australia due to the impacts of anthropogenic climate change which, through increasing rainfall extremes and changes to catchment wetness, challenges traditional approaches to flood design and emergency response. We review recent research on urban and rural flood resilience, emphasizing the importance of considering the entire water cycle and integrating nature-based solutions with traditional infrastructure. There are limitations in current infrastructure designed for specific flood standards and a clear need for flexible, adaptive solutions. We show the role of social capital and community engagement in building resilience, highlighting that flood resilience requires multidisciplinary research and cooperation, covering governance, planning, and response. There are a number of challenges in predicting hydrological extremes under climate change and it will be necessary to incorporate new data streams and machine learning into flood risk management. A case study of the 2022 Lismore floods illustrates the complex interplay of natural and human systems in flood resilience across a range of time and spatial scales. We conclude with recommendations for strengthening resilience through improved forecasting and design, community preparedness, and ecosystem protection.