Disaster & floods
All the information you need to commence repair and rebuilding work in the face of severe weather events across Queensland.
The severe weather and flooding events that frequent Queensland can have a significant impact.
You can use our Site safety checklist, that will give you guidance on key areas to consider, such as scaffolding, formwork, roofing and erosion and sediment control.
Safety is the number one priority in the beginning of any severe weather. However, once repair and rebuilding work can commence, we’ve pulled together what you need to know. Once initial disaster response work is complete and floodwaters recede, we urge builders and homeowners to work together with insurers (where applicable) on first priorities, including the assessment of required repair work. Please note, repair work commenced and/or completed without the insurers consent may prejudice the property owner’s insurance claim.
Our Disaster guidelines and resources include information on:
- first priorities such as power and plumbing
- key areas to inspect following a flood
- things that need to happen before building rectification works can commence, and
- all about repair work contracts and your insurance obligations as a builder or tradie.
Our collection of information and resources will also assist. They include common Workplace health and safety (WHS) hazards found during flooding, including
- mould
- electrical safety, and
- other infection risks from flood recovery and response work.
Finally, we’ve collated information on:
- insurance coverage
- how the situation is might impact trade and material shortages and delays, and
- the relief and assistance that is available.
Contracts and scams
Unfortunately, we frequently see scams that target vulnerable homeowners during times of natural disasters. We urge all homeowners and businesses who may be organising their own repair work, to
- ensure their builder or tradie is appropriately licensed and
- a contract is in place.
Check the Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) licence register or search for a licensed Master Builder.
Advice and support
Our team of experts are also ready to answer your questions. Wherever you are, call 1300 30 50 10 for advice specific to your situation.
Work and pay during severe weather
When considering if employees should be sent home and if they need to be paid during the coming days will be dependent on whether the company is able to provide a safe working environment even it the work is not the employees standard role.
If you are unable to supply work that is safe for employees then your will be able to stand down employees. Whether payment is required will be dependent on the award the employee falls under.
Under the Building and Construction Award General Onsite Award 2020 & Plumbing and Fire Sprinklers Award 2020, full-time employees are entitled to 32 hours of inclement weather pay over a defined 4 week period. Once an employee has used up the 32 hours then they can either choose to use annual leave or take leave without pay. For further information check out our inclement weather calendar.
Under other awards like Clerks Private Sector Award 2020 & Miscellaneous Award 2020 there are no inclement weather provisions. An employer can stand down employee with no pay due to a weather event. You can agree to allow the employee to access annual leave during this time.
If you are able to supply work that is safe, but the employee is unable to attend the location due to being flooded etc., then the employee can either use their annual leave or take leave without pay. But this will not be classified as a stand down as you have supplied work.
If you are unsure on whether your employee is entitled to inclement weather or have any other questions, please contact the Workplace Relation Team.
Check your right to claim extension of time under your contract
Check your contractual rights to an extension of time for delays caused by:
- dangerous and inclement weather conditions
- the unavailability of employees or subcontractors who cannot make it to site, and/or
- the unavailability of material or supplies which cannot be delivered to site.
Make sure that you follow the procedure in your contract for:
- notifying the other parties about potential delays
- claiming an extension of time for delays that do occur, and
- keeping records of the cause and effect of the delays.
Insurance coverage
If you have an insurance policy with Master Builders Insurance Services, give our team a call on 1300 13 13 26 and they can answer your questions about coverage and your policy. You can also register your claim online.
You can also read more about your insurance obligations when performing repair work.
For homeowners with flood or storm damage, make sure you follow instructions from your insurer. They will advise the steps to take, not only for the safety of your home and your health, but also what their process for claiming is.
It’s important you speak to your insurer before you attempt to authorise any building work. This includes emergency repairs. You should ask for their permission to ensure work is covered by your policy.
Shortages and delays
Severe weather event and floods further exacerbate trade and material shortages and builders and homeowners are both impacted. Homeowners and insurance companies may find it difficult to find available builders and tradies, given the already high levels of demand.
Relief and assistance
Support for storm and flood-affected Queenslanders is available from the Australian and Queensland Governments:
- Australian Government natural disaster support for Queensland households
- Queensland Government disaster support and recovery
- Structural Assistance Grant (SAG) - Queensland Government funded for homeowners
- Small business support
- Housing assistance (homeowners and private renters) – Call 13 74 68
- Homeless Hotline – free call (24/7) 1800 474 753
- General support and emotional stress – community recovery hotline 24/7 – 1800 173 349
- Queensland Health: Finding calm after a crisis