In 2023 we once again saw how natural hazards have a seemingly endless capacity to challenge us, not only in Australia but globally. In recent weeks across Australia – we have had severe bushfires across the Top End and the Centre and into Queensland, plus heatwave, storms and floods. And as I write, Tropical Cyclone Jasper is tracking towards the far north Queensland coast.
Our recent history of flood, fire, storm and heat have been matched by devastating events around the world.
This year Natural Hazards Research Australia has continued to develop the knowledge and insights to better manage the impacts of such natural hazards, as they combine with changes in climate, demographics, technology and other factors.
As conditions around us are changing at an alarming rate, so must we change and be innovative in what we think and what we do. More of the same will not be enough, we must be ambitious and forward thinking.
We have been working closely with the Australian Government and our Participants around Australia to ensure our growing research program remains aligned to our strategic direction.
The Annual Progress Report 2022-23 shows exactly how we are answering these questions. We have moved beyond simply describing the problems, by building a network of Participants to work together on the solutions.
This is what the Natural Hazards Research Australia does best – developing research that is useful, usable and used.
We now have an extensive research program up and running including projects investigating:
- Better predictions of extreme fires and flash flooding
- How communities respond to successive waves of flood, fire, pandemic and other pressures.
- Workforce changes, volunteers and Indigenous partnerships
- Gathering baseline data on hazard impacts, aerial firefighting, evacuation modelling and heatwave resilience.
- And more…much more, with 52 projects in total.
In coming months, more projects will be delivering findings that address the complex and difficult questions surrounding natural hazards.
Our research outputs are more than high-quality academic products – they are made to go in the hands of those who are making decisions and creating policies in government, business and the community.
We also have an eye on the future, in continuing to develop Australia’s research capability for the future. Through the Centre’s education programs, we have continued to build the capability of the future workforce in emergency management and disaster resilience sectors. Well done to our 50 postgraduate and associate scholars and Early Career Research fellows for their contributions across the year.
Be sure to sign up to our monthly newsletter to know more about this research. Come along to our national Natural Hazards Research Forum on 14-16 May in Adelaide, tune in to our regular Hazardous Webinars. Let’s stay in touch, so we can all be better informed.
As the world seeks a better understanding of how to manage frequent and severe natural hazards, together with you, our research Participants, we take on that challenge for Australia.
I would also like to take a moment to highlight and thank the staff at Natural Hazards Research Australia who have worked throughout 2023. It has been a big year for the Centre as our research program has taken shape and without the hard work and dedication of all staff, the Centre would not be in the position we are in to deliver vital research that Australia needs.
The team here at Natural Hazards Research Australia looks forward to continuing to working with you in our mission to build safer, more resilient and sustainable communities.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. All the best for everyone in 2024.