“Flood”. That’s a word that echoes through Coomera’s history. Let me tell you a story about how floods have shaped this region.
We’re standing here thinking about water, and its impact. It might seem peaceful today but Coomera, like much of Queensland, knows the power of floods. These weren’t just puddles. These were events that reshaped lives and landscapes.
Consider the floods of the past. The monument in Goodna shows floods in 1890, 1893, 1898, 1931, 1955, 1974 and 2011. Each one left its mark. The 1974 flood was particularly devastating. Brisbane experienced its worst flooding since 1893. Rain fell relentlessly, and the rivers swelled. The flood marker at Kalinga Park shows the water reached 8.4 metres from the creek.
Imagine the scene. Homes were ruined. Lives were lost. The cost reached almost $200 million. Think of the chaos, the fear, and the immense cleanup efforts. Then fast forward to 2011. Goodna saw floodwaters peak at 16.4 metres above sea level. The Brisbane River became a kilometre wide. Over 600 properties were destroyed.
These events demonstrate the need for regeneration and resilience. Communities rebuild. People help each other. Lessons are learned, and preparations are made for the future. The Floodlines artwork is a visual marker for Waterline Park. It is inspired by the 2010-11 flood and memories and notions of record keeping. The artwork includes a line of symmetry indicating the 2011 flood peak level.
Even in the face of such destruction, hope remains. This is seen with the origami paper crane tradition that originated from Japan. Folding origami paper requires patience and precision. People fold paper cranes during difficult times with the belief that there is a hope for better days ahead.
So, as we stand here in Coomera, remember the stories of the floods. Remember the lives impacted, the resilience shown, and the constant need to be prepared. It’s a story etched in the landscape. It reminds us of the power of nature and the strength of the human spirit.