Event Outline 

This national course is designed for professionals in all locations.

This course focuses on strategic risk-based land use planning for flood hazard. It provides practical advice to inform strategic planning, land use and development policy. The course covers: 

• Understanding flood risk and climate change implications 
• The science behind flood modelling, including how modelling informs flood risk assessment 
• The role of land use planning in risk response
• Key drivers for changing how we plan and determine land use responses
• Best practice approaches for responding to flood risk
• The benefits of strategic risk-based planning for flood hazard
• How to prepare holistic, risk-based flood mapping
• Guidance on matching land use with appropriate flood risk profiles
• Practical tips to implement a risk-based approach

Designed For

This training programme is designed for all planners (strategic, statutory and environmental) and other professionals involved in strategic planning, developing and/or implementing land use and development policy in planning instruments - working either for applicants or for local or state government agencies. The programme is relevant for planners at all stages of their career who wish to become more familiar with best-practice tools to manage flood risk through land use planning.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this course, attendees will be able to:

• understand the 'language of risk' and engage more meaningfully with flood engineers to get more out of flood models to inform strategic planning;
• identify the key flood risk factors that provide a more complete understanding of flood risk and how land use planning policy can be informed by the 'science' of flood behaviour and flood risk; 
• understand the key drivers for a shift to risk-based planning and what risk based planning looks like in planning instruments when considering variable flood risks across a floodplain; and
• design a locally relevant risk-based approach to land use planning in response to flood risk.

Registrations close 4 August 2026. 

Presenters

Shannon Haines MPIA (Fellow) Natural Hazards Planning Coordinator, City of Moreton Bay Shannon is a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and also 2025 winner of Outstanding Women in Planning Award, with more than 30 years of experience in public and private sector roles. She has experience in strategic planning, development assessment, and providing expert evidence to the Planning and Environment Court. She is currently the Natural Hazards Planning Coordinator for the City of Moreton Bay. Shannon is passionate about the impact land use planning can have in improving community resilience to natural hazards and climate change risks. She was awarded the 2015 Queensland Planner of the Year for her contribution to risk-based planning for flood and coastal hazard adaptation. Shannon was also the Planning Technical Lead assisting the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and stakeholder Councils to prepare the Brisbane River Strategic Floodplain Management Plan, which was an important body of work coming out of the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry.

Emma Maratea Director,  Rhelm  Emma Maratea is a Director at Rhelm with more than 20 years' experience in flood risk management, strategic planning and natural hazard resilience. She works extensively with councils, government agencies and communities to develop practical, evidence-based approaches to managing flood risk through land use planning and floodplain management. Emma has led a wide range of flood studies, risk assessments and planning projects across Australia and is recognised for her ability to translate complex technical information into clear planning and policy outcomes that support resilient, sustainable communities.

Important Note:

On the event day, please login 10 minutes before start time to test your audio and visual.

This course is delivered to attendees nationally but will be hosted in Australian Eastern Standard Time (Brisbane QLD), for a time converter for your state please see HERE

Terms & Conditions

Registrations cancelled more than 14 days prior to the event date will not incur any fees and a full refund will be granted.

If you cannot attend and you are within 14 days of the event date, you can transfer your ticket to another person.

In all other situations we cannot issue a refund or credit.

PIA collects and maintains personal and sensitive information in line with our privacy policy. To view the PIA privacy policy please visit the PIA website.