When the devastating 2022 floods swept through Brisbane’s Kurilpa Peninsula, the community didn’t just rebuild - they reimagined what resilience could look like. Out of the floodwaters rose Resilient Kurilpa (RK), a volunteer-run initiative that has become a shining example of how Queenslanders can come together to prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters. 

In 2025, Resilient Kurilpa was recognised on the national stage, taking home the Resilient Australia Award, Community. This achievement highlights the power of grassroots action and local knowledge in creating a safer, stronger Queensland. But let’s look deeper at why Resilient Kurilpa whole-heartedly deserved this national honour.

A community-led response to disaster

The Kurilpa Peninsula includes the Brisbane suburbs of West End, South Brisbane, and Highgate Hill.  These communities have a flooding history that spans decades. 80% of its dwellings are now medium-to- high-density apartments, and the population has grown 16,000 since the 2011 floods. Over time the areas have faced increasing flood risk complexities.

In February 2022, 19 of the peninsula’s 57 apartment buildings were inundated, along with many detached homes, affecting as many as 4,000 residents. 

For many, it was a wake-up call. 

A staggering 24% of apartment residents didn’t know they were living in a flood zone, despite the peninsula’s long standing flood history. 

That’s where Resilient Kurilpa stepped in. With joint funding from the Australian and Queensland Governments, the group launched a 12-month program in 2023–24 to build local capacity for flood resilience. The initiative brought together residents, neighbourhood organisations, apartment communities, and experts to create practical tools and resources tailored to the unique challenges of their urban community. 

Practical tools, real impact

Resilient Kurilpa’s work is a masterclass in community-led resilience. Their achievements include: 

• A community-led flood website and Local Insights Blog - resilientkurilpa.com. 

• An Apartment Toolkit, including flood planning templates, co-designed with experienced Body Corporate volunteers. This resource has already been adopted by eight apartment complexes and is being shared across Brisbane and even interstate.

• 6 information sessions and 6 educational workshops, tailored to diverse groups, including renters, families, people with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

• 19 blog articles, sharing local stories, tips, and strategies for flood preparedness and recovery. 

• A 10-minute film, “Rising Above: Preparing Apartment Communities for Flood Events”. This is a short film designed to tell the story of the flooding events and to inspire action in apartment communities.   

• A case study and conference presentation, shared nationally through Neighbourhood Centres Queensland, showcasing RK as a model for community-led resilience.

In total, RK directly engaged with 543 residents through events and reached thousands more online. And, as the project has been scaled across other Queensland communities, these numbers continue to grow.

What made Resilient Kurilpa a winner? 

The Resilient Australia Awards celebrate projects that make a tangible difference in their communities. Resilient Kurilpa’s award entry stood out for a number of reasons: 

1. It’s local and practical: RK’s tools and resources are designed by locals, for locals. They address real challenges with practical solutions, from flood planning templates to workshops tailored for apartment residents. 

2. It’s collaborative: RK is a shining example of what can be achieved when communities, governments, and experts work together. Their partnerships with organisations like Community Plus, Kurilpa Futures, and the Queensland Health Post-Disaster Recovery Team amplified their impact.

3. It’s inclusive: RK prioritised diversity and accessibility, offering resources in plain language, captioned videos, and multilingual promotion. Their events engaged a broad cross-section of the community, including renters, people with disability, and culturally diverse residents. 

4. It’s inspiring: By sharing their journey through blogs, videos, and presentations, RK has become a model for other communities across Queensland and beyond. 

A model for other communities 

Resilient Kurilpa demonstrates how resilience isn’t just about preparing for the next disaster; it’s about building stronger, more connected communities. Their work is already inspiring others, with their Apartment Toolkit and other resources being adopted by communities across Brisbane and even interstate. 

The RK approach is flexible, scalable, and designed to be replicated. Whether you’re in a flood-prone suburb or another urban area facing disaster risks, this model shows how local knowledge, creativity, and collaboration can make a real difference. 

This point of difference, makes it a stand out for awards like the Resilient Australia Awards, and innovation like RK, should be celebrated.

Why your community should enter the Resilient Australia Awards 

Resilient Kurilpa’s win shows what Queensland communities can achieve when they come together to build resilience. It’s a reminder to look at the amazing projects happening in your own backyard and think about putting your hand up for the awards. If your group is working on a project to prepare for disasters, the Resilient Australia Awards are your chance to share your story, celebrate your hard work, and inspire others to do the same.

But the awards aren’t just about getting recognition. They’re about showing how a simple idea, born from a local need, can grow into something that makes your community safer and stronger. They shine a light on the incredible work done to help neighbours and friends be better prepared. And on a bigger scale, they encourage more people across Australia to roll up their sleeves and get involved in building resilience.

A final word from our esteemed judge, Colin Sivalingum, Red Cross Australia

“The Resilience Australia awards is an opportunity for us to recognise some amazing contributions from Queenslanders, just like Resilient Kurilpa.” 

To enter the Resilient Australia awards, head to the RAA26 webpage.