A new initiative aimed at enhancing Tasmania's disaster preparedness, the Natural Hazards Atlas for Tasmania project, launched 1 August, 2024.
This significant undertaking, spearheaded by the University of Tasmania's Climate Futures research group and supported by the National Emergency Management Agency's Disaster Ready Fund, marks the beginning of a three-year journey towards creating a comprehensive, accessible resource on natural hazards.
The project's launch represents a critical first step in developing a multi-layered online resource that will provide detailed data on natural hazards such as bushfires, floods, and storms. The full atlas will be available in mid-2027.
The information will be accessible via a searchable website, smartphone app, and regional summary reports, ensuring it meets a wide range of user needs from technical experts to the public.
Dr Kathleen Beyer, Senior Lecturer in Climate Impacts and Adaptation at the University of Tasmania, and the project lead, emphasized the collaborative nature of this project.
"The Natural Hazards Atlas for Tasmania is a groundbreaking tool for our state," Dr Beyer said.
"By working closely with the Tasmanian community, we aim to develop a resource that is both detailed and user-friendly, which is crucial for effective planning and response to natural hazards."
The project team will be engaging with various sectors across Tasmania to gather insights on the types of hazard information currently used and what is needed for future planning.
This consultation phase, running from now through to early 2025, will include surveys, interviews, and workshops to ensure the final product is co-designed with diverse input.
The atlas aims to bridge the gap in locally relevant and accessible hazard information, for multiple sectors across all of Tasmania. Although some of this information does exist, it is often too technical to be fully utilized in decision-making processes.
This project is poised to be a game-changer in hazard preparedness and climate resilience in Tasmania.
"We are calling on Tasmanians to participate in shaping this vital tool. Your input is essential in making the Natural Hazards Atlas an effective resource for all," Dr. Beyer added.
The launch event featured a project overview, a discussion of the planned capabilities of the atlas, and stimulated thinking on its potential applications.
Attendees gained insights into how this resource might be used for emergency planning, infrastructure development, and community education, and importantly, how Tasmanians can participate in the atlas co-design.
