Two new Natural Hazards Research Australia projects have begun active research.
Sector partner engagement to enhance severe weather impact predictions
Through this 12-month project, the Centre is working with Collaborative Consulting Co, led by Liza Gelt, to engage with emergency management sector partners to understand and enhance severe weather impact predictions and user requirements – including predicting large-scale winds and severe thunderstorm exposure. This project will provide an enhanced understanding of how prediction modelling can be used to improve decision making and what sorts of information are required by different user groups. Results will provide the Bureau of Meteorology and Geoscience Australia with the guidance and direction needed to improve and further develop prediction modelling capabilities, including any future priorities.
Bushfire risk at the rural–urban interface
This project has commenced with the University of Tasmania, led by Prof David Bowman. Rural–urban interfaces – the areas where suburbs meet bushland – are areas of high-risk exposure to bushfire. This project will progress our understanding of how we can reduce risks at the rural–urban interface through an integrated interdisciplinary project alongside several emergency management agencies. Researchers are combining social research with geospatial data from bushfire disasters, biophysical assessment of fire risk in bushland interface and gardens to understand community perceptions of fire risk, attitudes to vegetation management and barriers to creating fire-safe communities.
You can learn about the Centre’s ongoing research projects here.