Future research planning for preparedness
We are witnessing the continued worsening of natural hazard risk due to climate change and growing community exposure. Globally, September 2024 was the second warmest, only surpassed by September last year. The compounding impacts of the multiple hurricanes striking the United States highlight the scenarios we must be prepared to manage in Australia. Images showed homes and infrastructure swept away, evacuations from hospital rooftops and rescues from vehicles. Here in Australia, inquiries released over recent months by Victorian and Commonwealth parliamentary committees have again highlighted the role that risk-based land-use planning plays in reducing future natural hazard risk. These recommendations have clear global and local applications.
Our own higher-risk weather season is now upon us. I was recently fortunate to participate in the 2024-25 Higher Risk Weather Season National Preparedness Summit hosted by the National Emergency Management Agency in Canberra. In its second year, the forum brought together a whole-of-community approach to consider preparations for the upcoming severe weather period. It was great to hear on many occasions how the Centre’s research is being used to enhance the preparedness for future disasters including informing crisis management arrangements, developing evacuation guidelines for First Nations communities and providing a future evidence base for aerial firefighting policies.
In October the Centre participated in the Global Nature Positive Summit in Sydney. Globally we are witnessing a movement towards investment in nature to halt biodiversity loss and mitigate climate change. Given this direction, the Centre in partnership with Suncorp, hosted a roundtable event in the lead-up to the Summit focused on the topic of Nature Positive Disaster Risk Reduction. The roundtable featured a keynote address by the federal Minister for Emergency Management, Senator the Hon Jenny McAllister, and was attended by senior leaders from research, government, business and the not-for-profit sectors to explore the opportunities present to deliver disaster risk reduction outcomes via nature-based solutions. A discussion paper resulting from the roundtable will follow.
Collaboration for stronger policies and resilient communities
The Centre recently teamed up with the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience to host a webinar acknowledging this year’s International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction which highlighted the needs and capacities of children and young people.
According to recent research by Deloitte one in six Australian children or young people is impacted by a disaster each year. We must find opportunities for children and young people to participate in building a safer and more resilient future. The Centre recognises this through our research investments aligned with the Sendai Framework and Second National Action Plan.
The Centre hosted an insightful discussion with International guests and our Queensland stakeholders earlier this month. Métis fire scientist and policy advisor, Dr Amy Cardinal Christianson (Indigenous Leadership Initiative) and Joe Gilchrist (Salish Fire Keepers Society), a cultural fire keeper from the Secwepemc and Nlaka’pamux Nations talked through Indigenous fire stewardship practices, wildfire evacuations and the enormous benefit of Indigenous-led wildland firefighting in Canada. Amy and Joe spoke with Queensland stakeholders at the Centre’s Brisbane Node following their attendance at the National Indigenous Disaster Resilience Gathering in Lismore, where the Centre supported Amy to present a keynote address. Amy is also a member of our International Research Advisory Panel, playing a key role in supporting the continuous improvement of our research by providing international perspectives on global trends and collaboration opportunities.
Supporting the next generation of hazards leaders
We are proud to have launched the Centre’s First Nations Research Scholarship Program in September. The Program is in the initial stages and is open for Expressions of Interest for university providers to host and support a First Nations scholar throughout their higher education journey.
Early in October the Centre held its third Disaster Challenge Final, open to undergraduate and postgraduate students and early career researchers to pitch innovative ideas to a wicked problem in natural hazards and emergency management. Hosted by the Department of Fire and Emergency Services at the Bushfire Centre of Excellence, the Final took place with a room full of emergency management experts, with many more watching online. You can watch the contestants' pitches on the Centre’s YouTube channel. Congratulations to all the finalists, in particular our 2024 winners Alision Sheaves, Craig Ridep-Morris and Madison Green, all PhD students at James Cook University, for their concept of an AI chatbot delivering post-code specific disaster information. Learn more about all finalists here.
Celebrating our staff
Centre Node Research Manager, Dr Blythe McLennan was recognised for outstanding knowledge leadership and advancement in Australasian Women in Emergencies Network (AWE) Recognition Awards 2024. This award underscores the vital role Blythe plays not only at the Centre, but across the whole sector of natural hazards research. Blythe’s ability to bridge the gap between research and practical application supports academia while delivering real-word impact to communities and emergency management.
Collaboration between research and agency is a key part of what we do at the Centre. It’s great to see the important work that a partnership between the Centre, the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and the University of Queensland is achieving through the evaluation of the Resilient Homes Fund Program. This effort is strengthening resilient policies for Queenslanders affected by natural hazards through academically rigorous and practically applicable findings.
Finally, the Centre’s long serving Communications Director David Bruce finished with the Centre this month. David built and led the communications function across the Bushfire CRC, Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and Natural Hazards Research Australia, ensuring that research was effectively translated and communicated to end-users. We thank David for all his efforts and wish him all the best for the future.