THIS new council maps that could make your home uninsurable overnight

Corrie Chabau opened his letterbox last week expecting the usual council notice.

Instead, he found a document that threatened to upend his life and finances.

The new flood risk mapping could make his Logan home unaffordable to insure.

When Corrie received the letter, he feared the worst for his 13-year-old home.

The correspondence from Logan City Council revealed updated flood risk classifications under Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) No. 1/2024, which commenced on 6 March 2025.

These changes overrode existing provisions in the Logan Planning Scheme 2015 and aimed to guide development decisions with the latest flood risk data.

For the 20,000 residents notified in late August, the update felt like a financial hammer.

Chabau’s insurance had already risen by $1,200 this year, pushing his annual premium past $5,000—nearly double Queensland’s average of $2,735.

Some neighbours reported quotes as high as $30,000, while others feared their homes could become uninsurable for flood damage.

Residents argue the new classifications clash with reality.

Chabau recalled Cyclone Debbie, when 400mm of rain fell in 20 hours, yet his area drained quickly with no lasting damage.

He said the mapping conflated stormwater runoff with genuine flood risk, leaving long-term residents frustrated.

Insurers generally define floods as water escaping from natural waterways, while stormwater and tidal inundation are often treated separately under other policy elements.

The problem in Logan mirrors a national trend threatening older Australians’ financial security.

A 2024 Climate Valuation report predicted over half a million homes could become uninsurable for flood damage by 2030.

Thirteen suburbs were identified as 'black zones', including Tweed Heads South and Chinderah, within two hours of Logan.

For seniors, this could wipe out decades of home equity and turn family homes into stranded assets.

The updated mapping aligned with the Queensland Government’s State Planning Policy (2017), which mandates identifying all flood risks and considering climate change impacts.

Mayor Jon Raven stressed the council had 'no control' over insurance premiums, adding: 'We can't stop floods but we can better understand and plan for them.'

The new planning scheme was scheduled to begin in late 2025, with public consultation to follow after the State Interest Check.

A community meeting highlighted the human toll.

Chabau described the room as packed and tense, with residents confronting the council over insurance fears.

'I heard a very elderly couple say, 'We are going to lose everything because of this',' he said.

'That made me see red. How dare they cause this stress on all these people?'

Affected homeowners were advised to take immediate action.

They could check their property’s flood risk via the Logan Flood Portal and discuss their situation with their insurer.

Documenting flood history with photos and securing appropriate insurance levels were recommended.

For consultation, residents were encouraged to attend engagement events, submit detailed reports, and coordinate feedback with neighbours.

Long-term strategies included exploring flood mitigation, considering house-raising if feasible, and researching government assistance programs.

Even if the mapping was later revised, Chabau feared insurers would not reduce premiums.

He explained that once a property was flagged as high-risk, convincing insurers to reassess could be an uphill battle, regardless of the assessment’s accuracy.

'The insurers go 'well, it says here that it might flood' and the premiums won't ever come down. It's just going to destroy everyone,' he said.

The consultation process offered a chance for adjustments, but residents faced uncertainty well into 2025.

Mayor Raven confirmed council had considered feedback since the TLPI rollout in 2023 and aimed to refine mapping and policies to meet community needs.

For Logan’s seniors, the stakes were enormous—homeownership and financial security now felt mutually exclusive.

The Logan flood mapping saga illustrated how climate risk assessments could clash with decades of lived experience, leaving long-term residents in a precarious position.

Rising insurance premiums and new flood mapping aren’t just about property values—they can ripple through every part of someone’s financial planning.

When unexpected disasters strike, the impact often goes beyond repair bills and insurance headaches, affecting long-term income and stability.

To see how these events can reshape day-to-day finances, here’s another story worth exploring.

Read more: How disaster impacts retirees' finances and pensions

Have you experienced financial stress due to updated flood mapping in your area?