Policy into practice: Adoption of hazard mitigation measures by local government in Queensland:A collaborative research project between Queensland University of Technology and Emergency Management Queensland in association with Local Government of Queensland Disaster Management Alliance

The focus of the present research was to investigate how Local Governments in Queensland were progressing with the adoption of delineated DM policies and supporting guidelines. The study consulted Local Government representatives and hence, the results reflect their views on these issues. Is adoption occurring? To what degree? Are policies and guidelines being effectively implemented so that the objective of a safer, more resilient community is being achieved? If not, what are the current barriers to achieving this, and can recommendations be made to overcome these barriers? These questions defined the basis on which the present study was designed and the survey tools developed.\ud \ud While it was recognised that LGAQ and Emergency Management Queensland (EMQ) may have differing views on some reported issues, it was beyond the scope of the present study to canvass those views.\ud \ud The study resolved to document and analyse these questions under the broad themes of: \ud \ud • Building community capacity (notably via community awareness).\ud • Council operationalisation of DM. \ud • Regional partnerships (in mitigation/adaptation).\ud \ud Data was collected via a survey tool comprising two components: \ud \ud • An online questionnaire survey distributed via the LGAQ Disaster Management Alliance (hereafter referred to as the “Alliance”) to DM sections of all Queensland Local Government Councils; and\ud • a series of focus groups with selected Queensland Councils\u

Public-private partnership in disaster management: a case study of the Gold Coast

Public-private partnership has important roles to play in disaster management, including building business and community resilience, developing community risk awareness and providing essential services. This paper reports on two recent initiatives in public-private partnerships on Queensland's Gold Coast. The first is an initiative by a local community group 'Varsity Lakes Community Limited' to prepare a disaster management guide for the masterplanned community of Varsity Lakes with support from NRMA insurance company and the local council. The second is the 'Community Watch' program initiated by the Gold Coast City Council to involve local community groups in various parts of the City for building disaster resilience. These two examples provide insights on evolving disaster management public-private partnerships that are more communitybased and bottom-up by nature. The study indicates that there is potential for including an additional layer of 'community' when conceptualising the existing fourtiered (commonwealth, state, district and local government) disaster management framework of Queensland

Assessing tropical cyclone damage using moderate spatial resolution satellite imagery: Cyclone Sidr, Bangladesh 2007

Tropical cyclones are a common natural disaster, and are predicted to increase in intensity and frequency under future climate change scenarios in many coastal areas across the world. Satellite remote sensing can provide a capability for large area (10,000’s km2) coverage and derivation of essential map products at high to moderate spatial resolution (5 – 30 m pixels) on a regular basis weekly to monthly. These data are ideal for assessing damage produced by the cyclone and can be used to derive appropriate information for planning and directing relief efforts in a short time frames. This study developed and tested approaches for assessing multiple damages caused in 2007 by tropical Cyclone Sidr in Sarankhola upazila (151.24 km2) in Bangladesh from moderate spatial resolution satellite imagery. Object based image classification techniques were applied to map cover types in preand post-cyclone SPOT 5 satellite imagery. Post classification change detection techniques identified types of land cover changes. Our results indicate that around 60% of the study area was significantly damaged by Sidr. About 31% of croplands were flooded by storm surges and with vegetation, settlements and infrastructure of the area all being fully or partially damaged. The methods developed may be used in future to assess the damages caused by tropical cyclones in Bangladesh and other countries

Tropical cyclone disaster management using remote sensing and spatial analysis: a review

Tropical cyclones and their often devastating impacts are common in many coastal areas across the world. Many techniques and dataset have been designed to gather information helping to manage natural disasters using satellite remote sensing and spatial analysis. With a multitude of techniques and potential data types, it is very challenging to select the most appropriate processing techniques and datasets for managing cyclone disasters. This review provides guidance to select the most appropriate datasets and processing techniques for tropical cyclone disaster management. It reviews commonly used remote sensing and spatial analysis approaches and their applications for impacts assessment and recovery, risk assessment and risk modelling. The study recommends the post-classification change detection approach through object-based image analysis using optical imagery up to 30. m resolution for cyclone impact assessment and recovery. Spatial multi-criteria decision making approach using analytical hierarchy process (AHP) is suggested for cyclone risk assessment. However, it is difficult to recommend how many risk assessment criteria should be processed as it depends on study context. The study suggests the geographic information system (GIS) based storm surge model to use as a basic input in the cyclone risk modelling process due to its simplicity. Digital elevation model (DEM) accuracy is a vital factor for risk assessment and modelling. The study recommends DEM spatial resolution up to 30. m, but higher spatial resolution DEMs always performs better. This review also evaluates the challenges and future efforts of the approaches and datasets

Community Politics: A Factor Eroding Hazard Resilience in a Disadvantaged Community, Imizamo Yethu, South Africa

Imizamo Yethu is an informal settlement in Cape Town, South Africa, characterised by abject poverty and high vulnerability to environmental hazards. On February 8, 2004, a major fire caused significant damage to the settlement’s housing and infrastructure, resulting in widespread homelessness and loss of personal possessions. Despite the intensity of the event, there were minimal casualties and the community re-grouped after the fire despite overwhelming odds. What was the source of this resilience amidst such disadvantage? A survey focusing on this question was conducted in 2004 with Imizamo Yethu residents. Results identified social networks and some formal community institutions as the most significant factors enhancing respondents’ resilience during and after the fire. However, the survey also disturbingly revealed that political divisions centering on a land rights dispute within the community, and on-going housing issues, were undermining community resilience. Disrupted social networks and eroded community cohesion caused by political factors have the potential to further diminish resilience against hazards in the future

Geography at QUT: Evolution of a Discipline

The paper focuses on the constraints encountered in developing and introducing a geography discipline programme, with a distinctive regional focus, within a university of technology. Through a case study approach, the analysis relates the development of geography at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) to changes in geographical education in Australia. Major obstacles to the evolution of geography within QUT are outlined: practical aspects of working in a multi-campus setting; limited staffing resources; policy obstacles to discipline identification and the downgrading of discipline-based approaches in favour of ‘trans-disciplinary’ majors. Strategies used to overcome these constraints have included: cross-faculty linkages; establishing co-majors in several degree programmes; team-teaching; flexible delivery and the use of online resources. While the establishment and development of the current QUT Geography programme has been difficult at times, the institutional context has provided opportunities to create a distinctive and innovative geography programme

Bushfire Preparedness of Rural-Residents in Selected Southeast Queensland Shires

Severe bushfire events in Southeast Queensland over recent seasons have highlighted significant risks and potential impacts from this hazard faced by rural and rural-urban fringe properties. Although levels of preparedness are a known key component of vulnerability assessment and hazard management, there has been little research to date that investigates perceptions of these risks and actual preparedness behaviours by households in this geographical area. The present research addresses this gap by documenting the preparedness levels of rural-residents in several districts of the Brisbane Valley and eastern Darling Downs regions that contain areas of at least medium risk of bushfire hazard. Surveys were distributed to properties in the target area and residents were asked a range of questions related to: bushfire risk perception; access to communications; evacuation strategies; access to fire-fighting resources and knowledge of appropriate skills to cope with bushfire. Preliminary results indicate that a range of appropriate measures were being undertaken by respondents; for example, formulation of evacuation plans, provision around the home of basic fire-fighting equipment and local fuel reduction. On the other hand, many reported storing flammable liquids in inappropriate proximity to homes and were concerned about the lack of personal resources and skills to deal with a severe bushfire incident. Some respondents raised wider issues that affect preparation for bushfire hazard within the context of broader landmanagement policy

Demographic Projection as a Tool for Analysing Trends of Community Vulnerability

This paper discusses the potential for using demographic and socioeconomic data projections to study geographical and temporal trends of community vulnerability to hazards. Several techniques are outlined, and their practical application critically discussed in relation to variables considered to be indicators of hazard vulnerability. Demographic projections for Southeast Queensland Local Government Areas were generated, mapped and discussed as an illustration of possible information outputs

National Mosque of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 1997

The National Mosque of Malaysia (*Masjid Negara*), built in 1965, is a uniquely designed building embodying contemporary and traditional Islamic art. Based on the Grand Mosque in Mecca with 48 small domes, the main dome has the shape of a semi-opened blue umbrella symbolising the 5 pillars of Islam and the 13 states of Malaysia. The 73 meter tall minaret has the shape of a closed blue umbrell