Our city was shaped, literally and metaphorically, around the Brisbane River. Join our panel as they discuss floods, loss, recovery and the unique spirit which keeps our city together through it all.

Panelists:

Kelly Higgins-Devine

Margaret Cook
When floods devastated South East Queensland in 2011, who was to blame? Despite the inherent risk of living on a floodplain, most residents had pinned their hopes on Wivenhoe Dam to protect them, and when it failed to do so, dam operators were blamed for the scale of the catastrophic events that followed. A River with a City Problem is a compelling history of floods in the Brisbane River catchment, especially those in 1893, 1974 and 2011. Extensively researched, it highlights the force of nature, the vagaries of politics and the power of community. With many river cities facing urban development challenges, Cook makes a convincing argument for what must change to prevent further tragedy

Jamie Simmonds
Born in the central New York town of Auburn, Jamie Simmonds was awarded an athletics scholarship to Pennsylvania State University where he graduated in 1997 with a degree in Environmental Engineering. Jamie moved to Australia in 2001 and lives in Brisbane with his wife and kids. Jamie spent most of his early career working in local and state government. He was appointed the Project Director of the multi-award winning ‘Strengthening Grantham Project’ and successfully directed the relocation of the town of Grantham following flooding in 2011. Jamie now works in the property development industry.