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Report to help Mackay community manage geohazards

The second in a series of reports assessing the vulnerability of communities to geohazards has been released today in Mackay by Warren Entsch, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, Science and Resources and the Federal Member for Dawson, De-Anne Kelly MP.

Mr Entsch said the Mackay Multi-Hazard Risk Assessment report details the risk to the Mackay community from the flooding of the Pioneer River, severe winds and storm tide from tropical cyclones, and earthquakes.

The report, and the work being done by the Geoscience Australia Cities Project team, is unique as very few multi-hazard assessments have been undertaken due to the complexities involved with comparing the risks associated with different types of geohazards.

"All Australian communities face risks from a range of geohazards including earthquakes, landslides and floods and storms. Easing these risks will improve community safety, sustainability and prosperity," Mr Entsch said.

The analysis of risk involves assessing the levels of hazard at Mackay, developing an understanding of the vulnerability of the elements that are at risk within the community, and synthesising a range of event scenarios. A comprehensive building database is then used to generate damage assessments for the various scenarios.

De-Anne Kelly said the report would be a valuable resource to those responsible for, or interested in, the management of these risks in Mackay, including the local city council, professional engineers, planners and emergency services officers.

"With the recent flooding throughout New South Wales and Queensland still fresh in our memory, having the ability to assess and plan for such geohazardous events will help lessen their impact on our community," Mrs Kelly said.

The report was written in collaboration with the Queensland Regional Office of the Bureau of Meteorology, and with the cooperation of the Queensland Department of Emergency Services and the Mackay City Council.

Copies of the report are available from our Sales Centre.

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