Page 16 - AFL Queensland Facilities Plan 2014-2020
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Climate Change
Australia is forecast
to be particularly affected by long-term climate change, and Queensland is at-risk of experiencing short- and medium-term increases in the frequency and severity of natural hazards. This is of particular concern
to AFL Queensland, as many existing football facilities are
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sited in areas prone to flooding, tidal surges and cyclones. AFL Queensland will work with clubs, Councils and schools to build natural hazard mitigation or adaptation measures into existing facilities, and ensure that all new facilities are designed to address likely climate change impacts.
DESIGNING FOR HAZARD RESILIENCE – GYMPIE CATS
Gympie Cats were among the clubs worst hit by the 2011 Queensland floods, with their clubhouse and
oval by the Mary River suffering inundation six times in an 18-month period despite the clubhouse
being located 21 meters above the usual river level. With no option to relocate to higher ground, Gympie Cats leveraged support from
the Queensland Fitness, Sport & Recreation Skills Alliance to retrofit their clubhouse with flood-adaptive surfaces and systems, so that following future flood events the club’s volunteers can hose the facility out and more easily get their facility back up-and-running.
