Raising the Roof: Brisbane Home Lifted 6 Metres to Combat Flood Risk

A home in Rocklea, Brisbane, has been sold for $840,000 after being raised approximately six metres on stilts to reduce flood risk.

The dwelling, located in a flood-prone area near the Brisbane River and Oxley Creek, was lifted following devastating inundations in 2011 and 2022. The property’s dramatic elevation was made possible by a $150,000 grant from the Queensland Government's Resilient Homes Fund.

Meeting Mandatory Flood Standards

Local council requirements mandated that the home be elevated one metre above 1974 flood levels—a benchmark considered the historical high-water mark for the region. The result is a house that now sits high above the street, a stark visual reminder of the growing threat of extreme weather.

Public Reaction: Skepticism and Jokes

Online comments have ridiculed the design, with some comparing the home to Mount Everest and others joking about the accessibility challenges such a height presents. Despite the mockery, real estate agent Brayden Sheehan, who handled the sale, defended the renovation.

"The elevation was necessary due to the flood threat," Sheehan said. He noted that after the 2022 floods, many residents chose to stay in the area because of strong community ties.

Climate Warning from Experts

Climate Council economist Nicki Hutley commented that adapting to more frequent extreme weather events may require unusual housing modifications. She warned that climate change could increase flood risks, further complicating housing affordability and availability.

Broader Community Context

Under the Resilient Homes Fund, 72 other properties in Rocklea were purchased and converted to green space, highlighting a growing trend of homeowners and governments alike rethinking how to live with rising water.