When Cyclone Alfred battered South East Queensland—a region historically spared from such events—it served as a stark reminder that our homes must adapt to withstand conditions once considered extraordinary. Add to that the unexpected earthquakes in North Queensland in early 2025, and it’s clear that our homes need to be built to withstand far more than ever before.
If you want to build a truly weather-resistant home that can stand up to what Australia has to throw at it, keep the following tips in mind:
1. Start with Smart Site Selection
Where you build matters enormously. A stunning beach view along the Gold Coast might seem irresistible until storm surge pushes seawater into your living room. Homes built in natural drainage paths or at the bottom of slopes face greater flooding risks, while those perched on exposed hilltops deal with stronger winds.
The best way to get the lay of the land, so to speak, is to gain local expertise. If you’re thinking of building in the Geelong region, that could mean talking to the best local builders Bellarine Peninsula has to offer. But it also means chatting with locals and looking for old news reports on floods, fires, storms, and other natural disasters in the area. Find out everything you can—when it comes to your long-term home, there’s really no such thing as being too prepared.
2. Elevate Your Design
In flood-prone regions like the Northern Rivers or urban creek catchments, elevation becomes your ally. This doesn’t necessarily mean stilts (though in Queensland, the traditional Queenslander design had it right all along).
Slightly raised foundations, living spaces positioned on upper floors, and critical systems installed above potential flood levels all reduce vulnerability. A Brisbane homeowner we know who raised her electrical systems and appliances after the 2011 floods saved thousands when waters rose again in 2025. Simple changes, substantial protection.
3. Choose Materials That Can Take a Beating
Not all building materials handle Australian extremes equally. Colorbond roofing withstands cyclonic winds better than tiles. Brick and fibre-cement cladding resist bushfires better than timber. Steel framing often outperforms traditional pine in structural stability during both cyclones and earthquakes.
The initial cost difference might sting momentarily, but pales compared to replacement expenses after weather damage. These materials usually also require less maintenance against our harsh sun and salt air—a nice bonus for the country that experiences summer when the earth is closest to the sun.
4. Design for Water Management
Rain doesn’t respect property boundaries. Without proper drainage systems, water follows gravity’s pull—which sometimes means it flows straight into your home.
Properly graded landscapes direct water away from foundations. Rain gardens absorb excess moisture while enhancing your yard’s beauty. French drains, permeable paving, and rainwater tanks work together as a comprehensive water management system.
A friend of ours up in Darwin who installed these features reduced wet season flooding problems substantially while collecting enough rainwater to maintain her garden through dry season months.
5. Invest in High-Performance Windows
Windows connect your home to Australia’s abundant natural light, but they’re also potential weak points during severe weather. In cyclone-prone areas from Broome to Cairns (and now apparently the Gold Coast), impact-resistant models with laminated glass stand up to flying debris during storms. Low-E coatings and proper installation reduce heat transfer, keeping interiors cooler during our increasingly brutal summer heat waves.
6. Strengthen Structural Connections
During storms, homes break apart at their weakest links. Metal straps and cyclone ties reinforcing roof-to-wall and wall-to-foundation connections dramatically improve structural integrity during high winds. These relatively inexpensive hardware additions form continuous load paths that distribute forces throughout the structure.
7. Plan for Power Disruptions
Extended power outages accompany many weather events across Australia. Resilient homes maintain critical functions without external electricity. Solar panels with battery backup provide essential power during outages—increasingly common during summer demand peaks and after storms. Backup generators ensure water pumps function for those on tank water.
Even simpler solutions like ceiling fans operated from battery backups offer cooling during summer power failures. Our friends in Byron Bay recently weathered a week-long power outage comfortably with their generator, maintaining refrigeration, fans, basic lighting, and even their laptops and satellite internet.
8. Create Passive Cooling Strategies
Air conditioning dependency becomes problematic during power outages and heat waves. Homes designed with passive cooling principles remain more comfortable naturally—critical as Australian summers intensify.
Strategic window placement maximises cross-ventilation to capture cooling breezes. Properly sized eaves shade windows during summer while allowing warming solar gain in winter. Insulation in walls and ceilings keeps the heat out during summer and in during winter.
9. Incorporate Smart Technology
Weather-responsive technology adds another resilience layer. Smart irrigation systems adjust watering based on weather forecasts and soil moisture readings—essential during water restrictions. Automated exterior shutters can deploy before storms hit. Meanwhile, flood sensors can provide early warnings of water intrusion. These technologies transform passive structures into responsive systems that actively defend against weather extremes, adapting to Australia’s increasingly unpredictable climate.
The steps toward weather resilience need not be implemented all at once. Each improvement can simply strengthen your home’s defences incrementally. Whether building new or retrofitting an existing structure, prioritising these adaptations will prepare your home for whatever comes next—whether it’s cyclones in Brisbane, earthquakes in Cairns, or the next climate surprise.
