Hazard and risk management

Yes. 

Leading state hazard and risk management functions became a QRA responsibility on 1 July 2024, following reforms to Queensland’s disaster and emergency management system. The Hazard and Risk Unit has now been established in QRA, combining the new Disaster Risk Management team, with the QRA's well established Flood Risk Management and GIS teams.  The new Disaster Risk Management team is developing a revised state-level disaster risk management approach.

A revised version of the QERMF (Version 2) was developed by the former QFES Hazard and Risk Unit following an independent review into the QERMF.  The full release of this updated version of the QERMF was put on hold, due to the broader reforms to Queensland’s disaster and emergency management services and transitioning of responsibilities for this framework. 

QRA is now leading a full review of the Queensland Disaster Risk Management (QDRM) approach, to better align with stakeholder requirements and address recommendations received from the 2020 Independent review of the QERMF.  QRA has commenced stakeholder consultation to inform this revised disaster risk management approach and associated tools. 
 

QRA’s hazard and risk focus will centre initially on the top ten hazards at the State level for Queensland identified by the 2023 State Disaster Risk Report, namely: 

1. Flooding
2. Tropical cyclone
3. Bushfire 
4. Severe thunderstorm 
5. Heatwave 
6. Pandemic 
7. Biosecurity 
8. Chemical, biological, and radiological 
9. Earthquake 
10. Tsunami   

While QRA coordinates disaster recovery and resilience policy for the state, it is not the lead agency responsible for managing the risks associated with all ten hazards. Efforts to advance hazard and risk knowledge and understanding of each of these hazards will occur in line with broader disaster management and recovery priorities as they may emerge over time. 
 

The new QDRM approach will be developed to deliver a comprehensive and actionable analysis of risks. It will incorporate a risk assessment methodology, accompanied by a detailed manual and practical tool designed to support data gathering, analysis and risk-based planning. The design of these components will be refined through a series of stakeholder engagement activities to ensure they are locally appropriate, fit-for-purpose and cost-effective. Consideration will be given to the capacity of local and district disaster management stakeholders to effectively implement the new approach.

We greatly appreciate and value the significant contributions stakeholders have already made to the existing risk assessments. The new approach seeks to build upon this foundation by ensuring prior efforts and data are recognised.
 

Feedback has highlighted that capabilities vary significantly amongst stakeholders, particularly Councils, who are largely the key drivers to the disaster management risk work to date. Capacity concerns, as well as complexity have been raised as barriers to implementation to date across the State.   

QRA is committed to ensuring that the future QDRM approach is streamlined and accessible to all levels of capacity. Where gaps in capability are identified, support will be provided to ensure the approach can be effectively implemented. Additionally, QRA is exploring potential funding opportunities to assist regions to engage with the new approach.

A key feature of the revised approach is to ensure that the methodology and supporting tools is such that it is a process that councils and disaster management groups can engagement with direct and not just once.  It is intended to be something they can reengage with.

In short, yes.   QRA are currently engaging with other jurisdictions and methodologies as part of the design process and are looking to leverage good practice where possible.  We are also looking to gain feedback and insights on other experiences through our engagements.  

The new QDRM approach is designed to provide a comprehensive risk ranking of hazards for each LDMG and DDMG, as well as priority risk statements for LDMPs and a risk register. It is acknowledged, however, that these outputs may also serve a broader range of applications within the disaster management context.

Yes, the QDRM approach is intended to support various disaster management activities, including the development of future Local Recovery Action Plans (LRAPs). While LRAPs and the QDRM currently function as separate processes, there is a strong intention for LRAPs to become more "risk-informed." This integration would allow QDRM outputs to contribute directly to enhancing and streamlining the LRAP process, The information in current LRAPs can also be verified through this process to inform broader resilience building activities.  

It is anticipated the new state-level disaster risk management approach will be delivered by the end of 2025.
 

In early December 2024, the QRA's new Disaster Risk Management team held a series of webinars, introducing the team, and explaining the new approach to the state-level risk assessment. 

If you would like to view the recording, please contact the DRM team: hazard.risk@qra.qld.gov.au