Federal MP questions council's flood plain approvals

FEDERAL member for Blair Shayne Neumann says Ipswich City Council has "questions to answer" in allowing developments in flood areas.

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With homes set to flood for the second time in two years in Ipswich, previous local government planning has been called into question.

"Questions need to be asked of the Ipswich City Council again in terms of the developments that have taken place in Ipswich since 1974, which has seen hundreds of properties flooded or at risk of flooding in two major floods," Mr Neumann said.

"I am concerned as to why developments have been placed in some of these areas adjacent to the river."

Cr Paul Tully, the Ipswich City Council's planning chairman, said council had "the most stringent (development) conditions in south east Queensland."

"In June of 2011 we brought in the temporary local planning instrument which has banned all residential development below the 1974 flood level. Previously we had used the Q100 level," he said.

"Most of the development at Goodna, for instance, was done in the 1940s and 1950s.Goodna didn't get a town plan until 1967 so prior to that there were no controls whatsoever."

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said people were getting flooded because of "planning conditions of the past."

"I can't change the past, but the three levels of government need to work together in future about what can be done to help these people," he said.

"Right now, it is my job is to look after the people and that is what I am doing."

Topics:  ipswich city council, land development, paul tully, shayne neumann