A week after Tropical Cyclone Alfred landed in south-eastern Queensland, expert panellists shared lessons learned from past disasters, advocated for improved data collection to track the impacts of flood and highlighted the critical need for equity in future policy to effectively support vulnerable communities following disaster in Natural Hazard Research Australia’s (the Centre) March Hazardous Webinar.
This was the first in a series of webinars about findings from the broader Evaluating the Resilient Homes Fund project. The Resilient Homes Fund (RHF) was established following the devastating 2022 Queensland floods and provides financial support to Queensland residents to raise, retrofit or voluntary sell their homes, increasing resilience against future disasters.
This webinar outlined the project team’s evaluation of post-disaster housing programs around the world and their development of a comprehensive framework that addresses the diverse needs and experiences of affected communities.
Expert research panellists Prof Paula Jarzabkowski and Dr Katie Meisner (University of Queensland and the Centre) explored critically relevant Australian topics highlighted by housing buy-back programs around the world, including the insurance protection gap related to climate change and with particular regard to flooding and cyclones.
Vina Vasani and Dan Kilpatrick from the Queensland Reconstruction Authority shared experiences in resilient housing policy development and implementation, while Sam Bowestad from the Queensland Department of Housing focused on design thinking for housing disaster resilience.
This first part of the project’s findings highlight the need for thorough data collection and recognition of the individual and overarching vulnerabilities of disaster-affected populations so that programs provide effective supports and interventions.
Paula highlighted the mobilisation problem, which impedes homeowners from accessing available help amidst recovery chaos. The panel’s insights underscored the importance of ongoing community engagement in fostering preparedness and participation of communities in disaster risk reduction activities so that resilience is built, sustained and able to support individuals and communities in times of disaster.
Key insights
- Insurance protection gap needs to be addressed: the research highlights the existing disconnect between climate-related risks and insurance coverage, indicating a dire need for adapting the insurance market to safeguard homeowners effectively against disasters exacerbated by climate change.
- Resilient housing initiatives are imperative in a climate changed Australia: the RHF and other post-disaster housing programs highlight the potential for redesigned community-focused activities that promote long-term disaster resilience, as well as ensuring rebuilding efforts consider specific local needs.
- Data collection is fundamental: a comprehensive database noting previous flood impacts is essential for future Australian disaster planning. Accurate data helps ensure policies are responsive to the real-world challenges faced by communities, especially vulnerable community demographics.
- Disaster funding is complex: the panel acknowledged the intricate balance between ensuring adequate funding is available while also maintaining affordable housing solutions—a vital point that future policies must address to avoid further exclusion of marginalised groups.
- Adaptation is key: the continuous adaptation of pre- and post-disaster housing programs based on community feedback ensures programs are flexible and responsive to homeowners’ needs, enhancing the efficacy of the program and future resilience strategies.
- Equity in policy development: as future policies are crafted, prioritising equity in crucial in ensuring the most vulnerable populations, whose voices are often sidelined, are effectively included in recovery and resilience processes.
Replay the webinar below.