Around 85% of Australia’s population lives within 50km of the coast, alongside a significant proportion of key assets and infrastructure. Yet coastal communities are exposed to a range of natural hazards that naturally occur in these zones and that can cause severe damage. At the same time, all Australian communities are exposed to various forms of flooding, including flash flood, riverine floods, and storm surge.
Applied research to improve our characterisation of hazards such as floods, storm surge and tsunami supports the evidence base required to manage these risks appropriately and sustainably. Ultimately, the outcomes of the projects in the flood and coastal management cluster will strengthen our national capability to make informed decisions for an improved resilience of communities and infrastructure.