Queensland Hazard and Risk Assessment Framework

The Queensland Hazard and Risk Assessment Framework (QHRAF) replaces the Queensland Emergency Risk Management Framework (QERMF), and was developed following transition of Hazard and Risk responsibilities to QRA on 1 July 2024, in response to the Inspector General of Emergency Management review of the Queensland Disaster Management Arrangements.

QRA has since undertaken a comprehensive review, which identified the need for a new hazard and risk assessment framework that is aligned with stakeholder needs and addresses the recommendations from the 2020 Independent Review of the QERMF. 

QRA is developing the QHRAF, which will allow local government to understand the risks posed to their assets by hazards and guide investment and risk reduction activities. 

While the QERMF resources remain available for use by organisations outside local government or those who have already begun assessments under the previous framework, the transition to the QHRAF reflects the need for a more effective, user-aligned methodology for hazard and risk assessment in Queensland.

Yes, the QRA  RROs will be trained on the QHRAF and will be available to answer questions from local governments undertaking their risk assessments. Please contact your nominated RRO if you require support. 

The GIS Tool has been developed to support local governments that are undertaking a risk assessment under the QHRAF. The tool is intended to provide a minimum standard of information across the state and to assist local governments in understanding the risk that natural hazards pose to local assets.  This ensures that the information is used appropriately within strategic resilience planning and decision-making contexts. The Handbook, Methodology and Leading Practice Guidance will all be publicly available on our website following completion. 

Local governments that have their own data and capacity, may choose to undertake a leading practice risk assessment. The QHRA Leading Practice Guidance provides advice to users on how to do that. 

The HRR team have developed a monitoring, evaluation and reporting framework to ensure the continuous improvement of the QHRAF (and GIS Tool) to ensure it remains fit for purpose. Existing data in the QHRA GIS Tool will be updated biennially. New data will be incorporated into the QHRA GIS Tool as it becomes available, subject to priorities and funding. 

No, the QHRAF does not currently consider climate change. However, QRA are working with State Government Agencies to develop a climate change module to include as part of a future update of the QHRAF.

QRA has adopted a risk equation in the QHRA Methodology that aligns to international standards. It incorporates the likelihood of the hazard, the exposure of assets to the hazard and the vulnerability of assets and the community to determine the resultant consequences. The calculation of risk is automated for users of the QHRA GIS Tool, based on the information provided.   

Queensland, as identified in the 2023 State Disaster Risk Report, is the most disaster-prone state in Australia. Historically, Queensland has accounted for up to 60% of the national total economic cost of disasters. The future cost of disasters in anticipated to grow with the influence of climate change. There are significant social, economic and environmental benefits from investing in disaster risk reduction and resilience. 

The QHRAF outputs will support the development of Local Resilience Action Plans and may assist local government with prioritising their risk reduction projects.  Risk informed LRAPS with a strong evidence base are more likely to be successful in securing project funding. The QHRAF plays a key role in reducing risk and building community resilience to hazards in Queensland.