This catastrophic natural disaster impacted the Brisbane community in many ways including economic, social and environmental. These impacts have been analysed showing positive and negative results. Through these results we can understand why Brisbane is shaped the way it is today. People are now more aware and prepared if there happens to be another natural disaster of this nature, despite the trauma that went on during the flood. The economy of Brisbane is back on track now, regardless of the problems it faced after the flood, and the effects of the flood on the environment only seemed bad during the flood, the ecosystems have bounced back now and should continue to do so.
Economic impactsNegative:
First of all the cost to repair the damage that this flood caused is highly significant with a cost of $16.87 billion for overall repair. In addition the floods had a large impact on the sugar cane industry, with lost crops and interruptions to harvesting. Transportation problems also occurred due to flooded fields, roads and damaged farming infrastructure. Fruit and vegetables were damaged and destroyed by the flood meaning that Australia’s supply of fresh fruit and veg was threatened to reduce seeing as 14% of our fruit and veg comes from the flood effected areas. The agriculture sector damage repairs cost $1.6 billion. As flood waters were so high, people couldn’t get to work. There was damage to the railway line in the CBD, as well as damage to road networks. Homes were wrecked when the water got inside and ruined furnishings and household items. Housing and property damage repairs cost more than $3.5 billion. The flood also had an impact on the mining industry as most major coal mines were effected by flooding. Open pit mines were partially or completely filled with water. Transport issues were faced with flooded roads, so the materials couldn’t be carried to other areas. This made coal prices go up for the rest of Australia |
Positive:
From an agricultural point of view, the floods helped to make the soil more fertile for following years of crop growing. This will make the crop have better quality by having higher nutritional value and it will look more appealing to consumers. Over time, people and businesses will be able to get access to insurance pay outs, state government grants and disaster relief and as they spend that money, rebuilding. That’s money that will flow out into other businesses and eventually provide stimulus to the economy.
From an agricultural point of view, the floods helped to make the soil more fertile for following years of crop growing. This will make the crop have better quality by having higher nutritional value and it will look more appealing to consumers. Over time, people and businesses will be able to get access to insurance pay outs, state government grants and disaster relief and as they spend that money, rebuilding. That’s money that will flow out into other businesses and eventually provide stimulus to the economy.
Social impactsNegative:
During the disaster, hundreds of families were evacuated from their homes, leaving little time to gather personal belongings. Families were traumatized after returning to their ruined houses. "The water is coming up through the toilet, bath and sink. We're just sitting and watching and getting a bit teary." There were 35 fatalities from the floods, and the loss of loved ones has deep impacts, especially on children. According to clinical psychologist Dr Rob Gordon, the short-term flood recovery complications are not a problem, but the longer the trauma goes for it does create challenges in relationships. Disruption to business and jobs can also add to the shock of the floods. Coming out of a regular routine can make an individual feel isolated and “out of it”. |
Positive:
From this disaster the community could be assured that emergency and disaster services worked well. Emergency services worked tirelessly to support the community in this time of insecurity, and made sure everyone was looked after. The community is also more connected and supportive of one another because of the flooding experience that they all had to endure. This could lead to more united decisions in the future to make the Brisbane area a better place.
From this disaster the community could be assured that emergency and disaster services worked well. Emergency services worked tirelessly to support the community in this time of insecurity, and made sure everyone was looked after. The community is also more connected and supportive of one another because of the flooding experience that they all had to endure. This could lead to more united decisions in the future to make the Brisbane area a better place.
Environmental impactsNegative:
The health of surrounding waterways have been effected. Rivers and creeks were eroded, contaminated and littered with debris. Large numbers of fish died when they were left stranded as the flood waters receded. As the mine pits were filled with water, mining officials were allowed to pump 44 mines worth of millions of liters of contaminated flooder water into creeks and rivers. This made many marine animals sick and some died as a result of the polluted mine discharge. The polluted waterways negatively effected ecosystems around Brisbane, such as the great Barrier Reef and mangrove bionetworks. |
Positive:
Despite all of this, the flora and fauna ecosystems seem to have bounced back well, with little evidence of this disaster that happened 4 years ago.
Floods help to spread organic matter, nutrients, and sediments which enhance floodplain soils. They also restock water resources and trigger life processes (such as breeding events, migration, and seed dispersal) in flora and fauna adapted to these cycles.
The water from the flood has helped to moisten the soil allowing crops and pastures to be established. This will build up the exportation of crops in the future, supplying Australia more productively than they did before.
In some areas, flood waters rose slowly, allowing animals to escape immediate effects. However in other areas, the impact of fast flowing water, particularly on small or burrowing animals would have been more serious.
Despite all of this, the flora and fauna ecosystems seem to have bounced back well, with little evidence of this disaster that happened 4 years ago.
Floods help to spread organic matter, nutrients, and sediments which enhance floodplain soils. They also restock water resources and trigger life processes (such as breeding events, migration, and seed dispersal) in flora and fauna adapted to these cycles.
The water from the flood has helped to moisten the soil allowing crops and pastures to be established. This will build up the exportation of crops in the future, supplying Australia more productively than they did before.
In some areas, flood waters rose slowly, allowing animals to escape immediate effects. However in other areas, the impact of fast flowing water, particularly on small or burrowing animals would have been more serious.