As we head into the unpredictable summer season, GIO and AAMI have identified the highest risk areas in our biggest states for natural disasters.
According to GIO, Wollongong, the North Shore and The Greater Hunter are among the highest risk regions in NSW for bushfires.
GIO and AAMI have released these lists of highest risk areas as part of ‘Resilience Week’. Both will use their Facebook pages to share tips and information on what NSW and VIC residents can do to be informed, prepared and resilient over summer. They’re also encouraging people to share their own tips and local knowledge.
“Our climate is both volatile and unforgiving,” said GIO spokesperson, Stephen Bell. “Just over 12 months ago we were battling one of the worst bushfires in NSW history, then last month we had one of the worst storms Sydney has seen in 15 years.
“That’s why it’s crucial for all home owners, and in particular those living in the communities in the southern and northern regions [of NSW], to understand what risks they face in order to prepare for the summer season.”
AAMI spokesperson, Reuben Aitchison, said, “ Summer storms, flooding and bushfires can be devastating, but if the tens of thousands of natural hazard claims we have handled in recent years have taught us anything, it’s that there are things people can do around the home to better protect themselves and their possessions.”
AAMI has compiled its list of the top 10 Victorian suburbs for Natural Hazard claims (storm, flood, hail and bushfire) as part of its storm season Resilience Week campaign.
According to its analysis of 20,000 natural hazard claims that AAMI handled in Victoria over a 12-month period ending June 2014, the top 10 suburb hotspots were Hoppers Crossing, Altona Meadows, Point Cook, Reservoir, Bentleigh East, Werribee, Berwick, Rowville, Altona and Coburg.
Aitchison said, “While the suburbs we have identified all rank highly, we want everyone in Victoria to use our ‘Resilience Week’ to make themselves more aware of the risks they are exposed to, and be better prepared to face them during the summer months.
“Our message to Victorians this summer storm and bushfire season is simple: be informed, be prepared and be resilient – that way, you’ll be in a better position to survive whatever Mother Nature has in store...”
NSW regions at high risk of bushfire
Wollongong
Sydney’s North Shore and Northern Beaches
The Greater Hunter
Shoalhaven
Eurobodalla
Bega Valley
Upper Lachlan
Yass Valley
Palerang
Queanbeyan
NSW regions at high risk of storms
Coffs Harbour
Ballina
Lismore
Byron Shire
Tweed Shire
NSW regions at high risk of flood
Clarence Valley
The Hawkesbury
Maitland
Cabonne
Forbes
Tweed Shire
Top 10 VIC suburbs for natural hazard insurance claims
1. Hoppers Crossing
2. Altona Meadows
3. Point Cook
4. Reservoir
5. Bentleigh East
6. Werribee
7. Berwick
8. Rowville
9. Altona
10. Coburg
