A new national Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) will support emergency services and the community to better prevent, prepare for, respond to and recover from natural disasters.
The Minister for Police & Emergency Management David O’Byrne announced (October 2013) Tasmania’s participation in the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC which will expand the research focus from just bushfires into other natural hazards.
“The devastation of January’s bushfires and the impacts of major flooding and rain events in recent times is a very real reminder of the impact that natural hazards can have on our community.
“The Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC will facilitate research that supports the development of cohesive, evidence-based policies, strategies, programs and tools to make our community more disaster resilient.”
Mr O’Byrne said the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC builds on 10 years of research by the Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre.
“With an expanded focus including flood, storm, cyclone, tsunami, earthquake and other natural hazards, as well as bushfire, the new CRC will have a major impact on our disaster readiness.
“The new research centre will see emergency service agencies, other departments and non-government organisations around the country become partners and have a significant say in the development of the research program.
“Tasmanian agencies committed to supporting the new CRC include Tasmania Fire Service, Parks and Wildlife Service, State Emergency Service, Forestry Tasmania and the Department of Premier and Cabinet.”
Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC CEO, Dr Richard Thornton said Tasmania has been an active partner in the national bushfire research program over the last decade, including the national research taskforces assembled after recent major fires in Tasmania and other states.
“The benefits for Tasmanian emergency service organisations have been clear across a range of operations including fire and fuel management, use of aircraft, fire fighter safety and community education.
“Tasmanian researchers have made strong contributions in the areas of incident management, community emergency warnings and vegetation management.
“This new CRC for Bushfire and Natural Hazards will provide further opportunities for Tasmanian emergency service agencies and research organisations to play a leading role in making our communities safer.”
The Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC will receive funding (cash and in-kind) of $130 million over 8 years, including $47 million from the Australian Government.