New partnership to boost Queensland’s disaster preparedness with $3 million investment
The Queensland Government and insurer Suncorp are partnering to help Queenslanders better prepare for extreme weather, announcing a new $3 million investment over three years into new technology, university research and training.
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(L-R): Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) General Manager, Integration & Coordination Jimmy Scott, Queensland Police Service Deputy Commissioner Disaster & Emergency Management Christoper Stream, Minister for Police and Emergency Services Daniel Purdie MP, Suncorp Chief Risk Officer Bridget Messer and Suncorp Executive General Manager Home Claims Customers Alli Smith.
The Future-Ready Resilience Program will focus on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data to strengthen the state’s resilience against floods, cyclones, thunderstorms and bushfires.
A key initiative of the Program will include the development of an Australia-first AI-driven severe storm warning system.
This will be cutting-edge technology that draws on AI to integrate information from multiple sources, including satellite, radar and weather modelling, in real time.
It will mean Queenslanders will receive advance notice of where a storm event will hit and the types of hazards, such as hail, rain and damaging winds.
This will provide Suncorp and the Queensland Government the specific guidance they need to prepare for severe storms in the crucial hours before an event.
Other initiatives to be introduced under the Program include:
• More than $2 million for university research to develop new solutions for improving Queensland’s resilience to extreme weather.
• Funding for natural hazard resilience training for builders, ensuring homes are built and repaired to withstand extreme weather.
• Community ideas and engagement initiatives, including for students and junior researchers, through ‘hackathons’ to crowdsource innovative ideas for disaster risk reduction.
Queensland Police and Emergency Services Minister Daniel Purdie said the Future-Ready Resilience Program was an important collaboration for improving Queensland’s ability to tackle extreme weather.
“Queenslanders know all too well the devastation that floods, cyclones and bushfires can bring and that’s why we’re investing in innovation now to better protect lives and property in the future,” Minister Purdie said.
Queensland Police and Emergency Services Minister, Daniel Purdie
This partnership between the Crisafulli Government and Suncorp is about harnessing the power of technology and research to give our emergency services, our communities and our state the best possible chance to respond, recover and rebuild.
“This world-leading storm warning technology could be a game-changer for our frontline response.
“Giving police and emergency services advance notice of severe weather means we can get resources in place faster, keep communities safer and save lives.
“It’s another example of how the Crisafulli Government is backing our first responders with the tools they need to stay one step ahead."
Suncorp CEO Steve Johnston said the Program solidified Suncorp’s commitment to working alongside the Queensland Government to lessen the impact of extreme weather.
“This Program underscores our ongoing commitment to working with the Queensland Government to protect Queensland communities against the escalating threat of extreme weather, such as floods, cyclones, storms and bushfires,” Mr Johnston said.
Suncorp Chief Executive Officer, Steve Johnston
This partnership highlights the crucial role that data and technology can play in helping to strengthen our communities in responding to extreme weather, enhancing Suncorp’s already world-class disaster response expertise and technology.
