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.
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:
In anticipation of Cyclone Alfred’s arrival, PMA and Hydro Response teams mobilised quickly. The deployment involved:
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.
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.
This project set a new standard for flood mitigation in Australia:
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.