Building community cyclone resilience through academic and community partnership

This paper will present research from collaboration between the Cyclone Testing Station at James Cook University and insurer Suncorp over the last two years. A key outcome of this work in 2016 has been Suncorp’s recognition of homeowner mitigation efforts through an insurance premium reduction program known as the ‘Cyclone Resilience Benefit’. The research methods and findings that informed this program as well as other key outcomes including recommendations for codes and standards will be discussed. A broader context will also be presented including the political backdrop of the Productivity Commission inquiry into natural disaster funding and the recent Northern Australia Insurance Affordability Taskforce.