Queensland designs heat mapping tool to prepare for the next natural disaster
The Queensland government has developed an interactive web-based mapping tool to help local councils understand the risk, costs, and repeat damage of infrastructure ahead of the next natural disaster.
Developed by Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA), the Repeat Events and Dollars Index (REDI) uses data represented on a heat map to identify, calculate, and highlight the most frequent and costly damage sites during natural disaster events.
According to the state government, the system is incorporated with almost 10 years of geocoded damage data -- which has been derived from data submitted by councils, and those stored in multiple systems, databases, and files -- that can be used to recognise more than 20,000 assets in the state's 77 local government areas.
Treasurer and minister responsible for the QRA Cameron Dick said the application will give councils a clear picture of where future infrastructure investments should be made.
"The REDI web app will help councils target their infrastructure spending program to ensure maximum long-term benefit for their community, and this work will drive employment across our state," he said.
"Whether Queensland is facing natural disasters like bushfires, cyclones, and floods, or health disasters such as COVID-19, we need to make sure the infrastructure built protects our cities and towns."
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The launch of REDI follows trials with McKinlay Shire Council, Rockhampton Regional Council, Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Hinchinbrook Shire Council, and Southern Downs Regional Council.
As part of the trials, REDI was used by councils following the North Queensland floods in 2018 to identify roads that had been previously damaged and inform areas of likely damage based on historical data of disaster funding claims.
Dick said the QRA will continue to work with council to add new damage data to improve the REDI web app.
"We want Queensland to stand as the most disaster-resilient state in Australia, and that's only achievable because of smart initiatives like this app," he said.
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