CRC backed program receives state award

CRC research is behind a Queensland Government program that has been recognised as a leading resilience project in the sunshine state.

The Household Resilience Program by the Queensland Department of Housing and Public Works took out the Government category at the recent 2019 Get Ready Queensland Resilient Australia Awards, and is now in the running for the national award.

Findings from CRC research inform the program, which was created last year to help homeowners in cyclone prone areas upgrade their house to improve its chances of surviving a cyclone or storm. Led by Prof John Ginger and Dr David Henderson at James Cook University, the Improving the resilience of existing housing to severe wind events project showed that homes built before the 1980s were the most vulnerable to cyclones and storm damage.

The program provides Queensland homeowners with a grant of up to 75 per cent of the cost of improvements, allowing for the upgrade of the roof structure, protection of windows and strengthening of doors – key areas at risk of damage during strong cyclonic winds.

Minister for State Development Cameron Dick said it was important to acknowledge the crucial resilience work being carried out around the state, and to thank those involved for improving community safety.

“I would like to commend every applicant, finalist and winner for their efforts, often in the face of adversity, towards increasing Queenslanders’ resilience to extreme weather,” Mr Dick said.

“These innovative projects are safeguarding and strengthening our towns and cities, and they highlight Queensland’s globally-recognised ingenuity when it comes to disaster resilience.”

Each award-winning Queensland project will now be reviewed by the Australian Institute for Disaster Resilience, with selected projects to be nominated for a National Resilient Australia Award on 31 October 2019.

The 2019 Get Ready Queensland Resilient Australia Awards had a record 34 entrants across six categories.