Session 3.02
Tracks
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| Thursday, June 19, 2025 |
| 1:55 PM - 2:55 PM |
| Boulevard room B2 |
Overview
Trades for the future: emerging education on flood resilient building and design
Details
This session is suitable for: All
Bring a laptop to this session – no specific software required.
Speaker
Sam Bowstead
Director Program Management Office Technical And Strategic Policy
The Resilient Homes Fund
Trades for the future: emerging education on flood resilient building and design
Presentation description
Department Housing And Public Works, Brisbane, Australia
With the intensity of severe weather expected to increase across Australia and with many communities facing the impacts of compounding weather events, homeowners are looking to the design and building industry for innovative solutions to improve their resilience and ability to manage the impacts of severe weather.
Manual Arts students today will support disaster-impacted communities tomorrow. As educators, design and technology teachers must remain informed about the emerging demand for resilient design and building strategies.
Following the devasting 2022 floods, the Australian and Queensland Governments jointly funded an Australian-first Resilient Homes Fund (RHF). RHF offered flood-impacted Queensland homeowners pathways towards long-term resilience which included raising or retrofitting their homes, or voluntary buy-back.
Throughout the entirety of the RHF program the team have been working with builders who apply resilient building and design to flood risk homes. Feedback from industry has consistently maintained that flood resilient building is currently a niche practice that will become an essential skill for all future practitioners.
Early intervention and education about resilient building will prepare educating Queensland’s next generation of trades and improving awareness of flood risk and resilient design among Queenslanders.
The session will provide educators with a comprehensive understanding of flood resilient building practices and resources to apply in the classroom. The session will share real world examples of flood resilient design and lessons from the program’s first master class on resilient design delivered to grade 11 students at Corinda State School in 2024.
With the intensity of severe weather expected to increase across Australia and with many communities facing the impacts of compounding weather events, homeowners are looking to the design and building industry for innovative solutions to improve their resilience and ability to manage the impacts of severe weather.
Manual Arts students today will support disaster-impacted communities tomorrow. As educators, design and technology teachers must remain informed about the emerging demand for resilient design and building strategies.
Following the devasting 2022 floods, the Australian and Queensland Governments jointly funded an Australian-first Resilient Homes Fund (RHF). RHF offered flood-impacted Queensland homeowners pathways towards long-term resilience which included raising or retrofitting their homes, or voluntary buy-back.
Throughout the entirety of the RHF program the team have been working with builders who apply resilient building and design to flood risk homes. Feedback from industry has consistently maintained that flood resilient building is currently a niche practice that will become an essential skill for all future practitioners.
Early intervention and education about resilient building will prepare educating Queensland’s next generation of trades and improving awareness of flood risk and resilient design among Queenslanders.
The session will provide educators with a comprehensive understanding of flood resilient building practices and resources to apply in the classroom. The session will share real world examples of flood resilient design and lessons from the program’s first master class on resilient design delivered to grade 11 students at Corinda State School in 2024.
Biography
Sam Bowstead is a Director at the Resilient Homes Fund, Department of Housing and Public Works, an initiative of the Australian and Queensland Governments focusing on improving the flood-resilience of eligible Queensland homes through built works in the wake of the 2021-22 floods.
Sam is a registered Architect in Queensland and New South Wales. Before joining government, Sam practiced for 10 years specialising in heritage buildings, complex projects and architectural responses to climate change. In 2022, Sam was awarded the Australian Institute of Architect’s Queensland Emerging Architect and Graduate Project Award for the Princess Theatre, which also received a State Commendation for Heritage.
Sam has been involved in climate adaptation work since 2011 and wrote his award-winning Masters thesis on flood-resilient housing in Brisbane. He is recognised as a national expert in flood-resilient design. He has held various research and teaching positions at The University of Queensland and Washington University in St Louis, and has lectured at Griffith, QUT, and Columbia Universities. Sam has been recognised as a World Economic Forum Global Shaper for his commitment to architecture and advocacy.
Reshma Callus
The Resilient Homes Fund
Co-presenter
Biography
Reshma Callus is a senior communications and engagement leader with over 15 years’ experience delivering complex, high-profile programs across Queensland Government agencies. With a strong track record in stakeholder collaboration, crisis communication and public sector leadership, Reshma has led strategic initiatives in health, infrastructure and disaster resilience—including the Resilient Homes Fund, one of Australia’s largest household recovery programs.
Reshma has played a key role in shaping government responses during times of crisis, from pandemic border management and aviation engagement to public health communication and flood recovery. Her ability to build trust across sectors—industry, community and all levels of government, has earned recognition from executive leadership and national stakeholders.
She is known for her practical, people-centred approach to leadership, her ability to translate complex policy into meaningful community outcomes, and her focus on collaboration, reputation management and impact. Reshma regularly strives to deliver communication and engagement that informs, empowers and inspires.
