The Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) developed a draft national Standard for the construction of buildings in flood hazard areas (draft Standard) in 2011. The ABCB developed the draft Standard and an accompanying information handbook with the assistance of a reference group comprised of representatives of state and local governments, the building and engineering industries, and flood and hydrology experts. Copies of the draft Standard and information handbook are available online.

The draft Standard provides performance requirements and deemed-to-satisfy provisions for the design and construction of buildings in designated flood hazard areas. In Queensland, flood hazard areas are designated by local governments.

The ABCB released a national regulation impact statement for the draft Standard. It is anticipated that the draft Standard will be included in the 2013 version of the Building Code of Australia (BCA) from 1 May 2013.

Building Codes Queensland (BCQ) sought comment on early adoption of the draft Standard in Queensland during 2011. Following the consultation period, BCQ developed a new part of the QDC (draft QDC) to adopt the draft Standard into building law in Queensland.

On 16 March 2012, the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry (the Commission) delivered its Final Report into the 2010-11 floods (Final Report). The Final Report contains recommendations covering a broad range of matters including management of Wivenhoe Dam, floodplain management, planning issues, performance of private insurers and management of abandoned and operational mines. It also recommended that further public consultation be conducted on a draft QDC.

On 7 June 2012, the Premier tabled in Parliament the Queensland Government response to the Final Report. As part of its response to the Commission's Final Report, the Queensland Government formed five groups to implement the recommendations. The Building Implementation Group was established to oversee implementation of recommendations from chapters 9 and 10 of the Final Report and is chaired by the Director-General of the Department of Housing and Public Works.

The Queensland Government's response included a commitment to revise the draft QDC to reflect the Commission's recommendations with a focus on providing practical flexibility in the application of the code. In addition, the Government committed to undertaking community and industry consultation on the revised draft QDC. Consultation on the revised draft QDC occurred from 26 July 2012 to 7 September 2012.