In 2017 Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) completed the State Natural Hazard Risk Assessment which evaluated the risks presented by seven in-scope natural hazards. The risks presented by earthquakes were evaluated as part of this assessment in broad terms. The assessment highlighted a number of key vulnerabilities and risks presented by earthquakes to the communities of Queensland requiring further analysis.
As QFES matures the Queensland Emergency Risk Management Framework (QERMF) by working with Local and District Disaster Management Groups (LDMGs/DDMGs), opportunities have arisen whereby QFES, in collaboration with relevant Federal and State Government and industry partners, are in a position to provide State-level support to LDMGs and DDMGs, through the development of in-depth risk assessments.
The State Natural Hazard Risk Assessment 2017 and the State Disaster Management Plan 2018 note that the QERMF, as the endorsed methodology for the assessment of disaster related risk, is intended to:
• Provide consistent guidance in understanding disaster risk that acts as a conduit for publicly available risk information. This approach assists in establishing and implementing a framework for collaboration and sharing of information in disaster risk management, including risk informed disaster risk reduction strategies and plans.
• Encourage holistic risk assessments that provide an understanding of the many different dimensions of disaster risk (hazards, exposures, vulnerabilities, capability and capacities). The assessments include diverse types of direct and indirect impacts of disaster, such as physical, social, economic, environmental and institutional.
The assessment and its intended audience
This risk assessment was developed using the QERMF to undertake a scenario-based analysis of Queensland’s earthquake risk.
It is intended to complement and support LDMGs and DDMGs in the completion of their risk-based disaster management plans. The development of the State Earthquake Risk Assessment 2018 was supported by Geoscience Australia (GA) through the provision of expert advice, relevant spatial datasets and the development of the scenarios used through this assessment.
Input has been sought from GA to help contextualise the findings of the National Seismic Hazard Assessment 2018 for Queensland.
Consultation with the University of Queensland has been sought to provide the ‘Queensland Context’, capitalising on the 80-year history of earthquake research and study undertaken by the university. A robust scientific basis enhances the assessment and enables disaster management groups to inform their local level planning.
Overall, the assessment and associated report seeks to complement and build upon existing Local and District earthquake risk assessments by providing updated and validated information relating to the changes in understanding Queensland’s earthquake potential.
