Natural Hazards Research Australia (NHRA) has released new insights focused on building community resilience against natural disasters, drawing on the 50th anniversary of Cyclone Tracy and the 20th anniversary of the Indian Ocean tsunami.
It noted that the two catastrophic events prompted long-term changes in disaster preparedness, policy, and infrastructure.
Andrew Gissing, CEO of NHRA, reflected on the legacy of these disasters. Cyclone Tracy, which struck Darwin on Dec. 25, 1974, caused widespread destruction, flattening most buildings and displacing tens of thousands of residents.
The Indian Ocean tsunami in 2004, triggered by a massive undersea earthquake, devastated communities across the region, with waves reaching far beyond Indonesia and claiming approximately 275,000 lives globally, including those of 26 Australians.
Gissing said Cyclone Tracy revealed vulnerabilities in Australian building practices, leading to a complete overhaul of national construction codes.
The updated standards, informed by scientific research, aimed to improve the durability of structures in cyclone-prone regions. Subsequent studies have linked these changes to a reduction in cyclone-related fatalities.
The 2004 tsunami highlighted the need for early-warning systems to mitigate loss of life. The Australian government responded by creating the Australian Tsunami Warning System, which enables authorities to issue timely alerts and evacuation directives. The system is now a key component of national disaster response capabilities.
The NHRA underscored the growing risks posed by natural hazards, exacerbated by climate change.
Rising sea levels and warmer ocean temperatures are projected to increase the frequency and intensity of cyclones, while ongoing development in vulnerable areas heightens exposure to these threats.
The organisation also pointed to the financial and social costs of disasters, noting that insufficient planning and continued construction in high-risk zones place additional strain on governments and communities.
It calls for targeted investments in mitigation strategies, such as retrofitting homes and revising urban planning to prioritise safety.
To reduce future disaster impacts, the NHRA suggested:
The organisation also stressed the importance of community relocation in extreme cases, despite the challenges such decisions entail.
“We must not wait for future catastrophes to strike. Let us heed the learnings from Tracy 50 years ago, and the Indian Ocean tsunami 20 years ago, and act on what we know now. Research gives us many of the answers and the time for action is now. Our future safety depends on it,” Gissing said.
