Brisbane’s 2022 floods were among the most devastating in recent history, submerging large parts of South East Queensland. One of the hardest-hit facilities was Urban Utilities’ Oxley Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, a critical piece of Brisbane’s infrastructure.
The plant was inundated under metres of water, leading to widespread damage and months of costly recovery work. This event highlighted a major risk: without a flood mitigation solution, the plant’s insurability and long-term operational security were in jeopardy.
Urban Utilities (UU) needed an effective, deployable flood protection system to safeguard the plant against future extreme weather events. Traditional mitigation strategies, such as raising equipment or permanent levees, were either impractical or too costly. Instead, UU sought a temporary flood barrier system that could be deployed in times of heightened flood risk. Adding to the challenge, in March 2025, ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred moved south through the Coral Sea, bringing heavy rains and flash flooding to South East Queensland.
Unlike similar flood barrier deployments in the US, which were installed after hurricanes had passed, this installation had to be completed before the weather event - under severe time pressure and unpredictable weather conditions.
Solutions
Largest Flood Barrier Deployment in the Southern Hemisphere
Pipe Management Australia (PMA), in partnership with Hydro Response, supplied UU with the Geodesign Flood Barrier, a high-strength, modular flood protection system. At 600 metres in length, this was the largest deployment of the Geodesign Flood Barrier in the Southern Hemisphere, marking a significant milestone in flood mitigation.
The complexity of this deployment was unmatched. While a longer Geodesign barrier had been deployed overseas, it was installed in a simple, straight-line configuration. The Oxley installation was the most complex to date, incorporating:
- Varying heights to match terrain contours, ensuring complete protection across uneven ground.
- Custom penetrations allowing essential pipes and services to pass through the barrier without compromising flood security.
- A fully demountable system that could be stored on-site and deployed within days when needed.
Precision Deployment Under Tight Deadlines
In anticipation of Cyclone Alfred’s arrival, PMA and Hydro Response teams mobilised quickly. The deployment involved:
- Hundreds of meters of interlocking aluminium panels and steel support frames assembled over just a few days.
- 14 drainage plugs ranging from 225-750DN installed beneath the plant to prevent floodwaters from rising through underground infrastructure.
- Pumps prepared for removing any water from behind the barrier.
- Overnight installation of the final waterproof membrane on 9 March 2025, ensuring the barrier was sealed before the flood peak at 6:00 AM on 10 March.
PMA also conduct regular training exercises, including a full-scale practice deployment in 2023. This ensured personnel were prepared for a real emergency, allowing them to execute the setup smoothly when the cyclone approached.
outcomes
Flood Protection Success: Oxley Creek Stays Dry
When ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred peaked, Oxley Creek’s floodwaters rose to within 600mm of the flood barrier’s base meaning the system was never overtopped. The treatment plant remained dry and fully operational, avoiding the devastation experienced in 2022. This proactive deployment not only demonstrated that the dam can be set up quickly, but that it could eventually safeguard against millions of dollars in damage and ensure uninterrupted wastewater treatment services for Brisbane.
A Benchmark for Future Deployments
This project set a new standard for flood mitigation in Australia:
- Largest deployment of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Most technically complex installation globally, requiring custom modifications for terrain and infrastructure.
- Validated readiness, proving that the system could be rapidly and effectively deployed under real flood conditions.
- Throughout the event, PMA teams remained on-site for continuous monitoring and post-flood pack-down, ensuring the barrier was properly dismantled and stored for future use.
The success of this deployment solidified PMA’s reputation as a leader in flood resilience solutions, providing a scalable, adaptable approach for protecting vital infrastructure against weather extremes.
By investing in smart, flexible flood protection, UU secured the Oxley Creek Treatment Plant’s future against severe weather. The Geodesign Flood Barrier installed and supported by PMA proved its effectiveness in real-world conditions, offering a reliable, deployable safeguard for years to come. This project demonstrates how proactive planning, technical expertise, and rapid execution can make all the difference in protecting critical assets from nature’s worst.
Learn more about how the Geodesign Flood Barrier can protect your critical assets.
