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BROWSER https://floods.optin.com/newsletter/awlist3776483/MzcwMDg4Mg==/fma-flyer-12-december.htm |
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT |
In a year of recovery from the aftermath of Tropical Cyclone Debbie in Queensland and northern NSW together with various floods around Australia, including Canberra earlier in the year, we've tackled issues of mutual interest, tackled the new AR&R, tackled the new Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and tackled land use planning changes in each state.
We've had a fantastic Conference at the Gold Coast with great support and presentations from all of you. For the first time FMA has awarded the Harold Sternbeck Medal to an international speaker in Mike McMahon from the USA with his presentation Harvey, Irma, Maria, Debbie, Marcia, and Yasi: A Dysfunctional Cyclone Family.
Already we have received a record number of abstracts for the 2019 Conference in Canberra and I applaud all FMA Members and participants for taking our network to another new level.
My sincere thanks go to our fantastic Executive team for the amazing work you have done throughout the year. Your knowledge, expertise and advice are invaluable and FMA couldn't exist without your generous time and effort.
To everyone involved in any way with FMA I wish to express my sincere thanks on behalf of the Executive team and I look forward to seeing you again in 2019.
Happy New Year!
ID
Ian Dinham | FMA President
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CANBERRA CONFERENCE REGISTRATIONS OPEN!
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FMA is thrilled to announce that registrations for the 2019 National Conference in Canberra are now officially open.
A National Call to Action: Making Australia Flood Safe will take place at Hotel Realm, Canberra from 14-17 May 2019.
As with past FMA Conferences, delegates can expect a week of high quality presentations, panels, field trips and sessions, as well as exciting networking opportunities with fellow FRM-ers.
The three day event also offers pre-conference workshops and trainings at the beginning of the week.
Two of the three workshops available (Introduction to Floodplain Risk Management and Modelling for Non-Modellers) are designed to ease professionals into the Conference week by providing them with a greater understanding of the FRM industry if they are new, or just need a refresher. These workshops are ideal for Councillors, town planners, emergency services officers, and those from non-engineering
backgrounds.
Early Registration rates for the Conference are available until 22 March 2019, and can save you up to $200* (Three-Day Full/Associate/Corporate), so register online today to avoid missing out.
If you are an FMA Member and you are looking to claim your FMA Member discount rate, please ensure you have your Member number on hand during registration. This number can be found on your latest FMA Membership invoice.
For more information on the Conference, online registration and pre-conference workshops please visit the Conference website floodplainconference.com.
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NATIONAL RESILIENCE TASKFORCE SURVEY
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The Australian Government’s National Resilience Taskforce has requested FMA’s assistance to develop an understanding of the strengths, challenges, gaps and needs associated with approaches to understanding, assessing and prioritising disaster risk and disaster risk reduction options.
Members would recall that in June FMA Queensland Director Dwayne Honor participated in the Taskforce’s three-day ‘policy sprint’ which developed key components of the National Disaster Risk Reduction Framework.
This survey is an opportunity to share your emergency, natural hazard, disaster or climate related risk assessment and risk management experience and expertise with the Taskforce.
The survey contains 14 questions and will take about 30 minutes to complete.
Click for the survey – “UNDERSTANDING DISASTER RISK”
If you cannot access the survey, please use the following link: https://dibpau.qualtrics.com /jfe/form/SV_eQ0E6u40J2dLV6l
The survey will close on Friday, 8 February 2019.
For further details about the Taskforce and this survey please contact Russell Wise (National Resilience Taskforce) Russell.Wise@csiro.au
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INTERIM REPORT INTO INSURANCE INDUSTRY RELEASED
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The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has released its Northern Australia Insurance Inquiry first interim report.
The report and media release are at: www.accc.gov.au/insurance
FMA provided a submission to the Inquiry covering the areas of flood insurance premiums, sharing of flood data and flood risk mitigation.
The 251 page report sets out the ACCC’s findings about the operation of markets for home, contents and strata insurance in northern Australia, as well as measures that could be taken to begin to address the problems identified.
It does contain some very interesting reading, for example Recommendation 2: Re-base stamp duty; use stamp duty revenue for affordability & mitigation includes the suggestion that the Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland governments should “direct a portion of revenue from stamp duties on insurance products towards measures to improve affordability for low income consumers or to fund
mitigation works”.
The key focus in 2019 will be to explore what further measures could be considered to improve the affordability and availability of insurance in northern Australia.
The report invites submissions on the draft recommendations by Friday 12 April 2019.
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MEDIA RELEASE: FLOOD AND FIRE CALLS FOR CHANGE
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Issued 30 November 2018
The recent extreme weather across the Eastern side of Australia is a poignant reminder of the need for urgent change to natural disaster funding arrangements.
Over the past few days there have been major flash flooding events across Sydney and coastal parts of New South Wales causing much damage and numerous rescue efforts, as well as bushfires blazing through Queensland forcing thousands to evacuate their homes.
The Bureau of Meteorology estimated the Sydney storm was a 1 in 100 year event with 105.6 mm recorded at Sydney’s Observatory Hill; 91 mm fell in about 1.5 hr. This was the wettest November day since 1984.
Floodplain Management Australia President (FMA) Ian Dinham said “The cost of these kinds of natural hazards is increasing each year, with the Australian Business Roundtable for Disaster Resilience and Safer Communities estimating the cost to rise to $33 billion annually by 2050”.
“The threat of flood and fire will not dissipate in the near future, it is not a problem we can wish away; but we can better prepare for it. For Councils to adequately do that, the level of funding for disaster mitigation and recovery must increase” said Mr Dinham...
Read the entire release at floods.org.au/site/releases.
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WELCOME NEW MEMBER - GREATER SHEPPARTON
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FMA would like to welcome a new Full Member to it's ever-growing Membership; Greater Shepparton City Council.
Greater Shepparton in the heart of the Goulburn Valley is the fourth largest provincial centre in Victoria.
Shepparton and Mooroopna are located at the confluence of the Goulburn and Broken Rivers and Sevens Creek in Northern Victoria.
Floods have been an ever present issue for the community with large floods experienced in 1861, 1916, 1955, 1974 and 1993.
Council has been the lead agency in developing flood studies for Shepparton, Mooroopna, Tatura, Merrigum and Murchison over the last 20 years and uses the information from the flood studies to determine land-use planning and emergency management responses for the protection and safety of its community.
If you would like to know more about the Greater Shepparton region, please visit their website at greatershepparton.com.au.
If you or anyone you know would be interested in joining Australia’s most trusted network of flood risk professionals, please visit floods.org.au for more information.
Also, just a reminder that if you are a current FMA Member, you may be eligible for a discounted rate for Conference registration.
If you are unsure of your Membership number, or whether your organisation is paid-up, please contact us for more information.
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ONLINE RESOURCES SERIES: FLOOD INSURANCE INFORMATION
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When it comes to flood insurance there are always a number of questions that come up, and the FMA Online Resources Series: Flood Insurance Information aims to point FRM professionals in the right direction for the appropriate answers.
FMA Communications Director Sue Ribbons began the Online Resources Series as a way to provide Members with a shortlist of information in answer to common challenges and queries regularly appearing at FMA Meetings.
At the moment, there are two Resources; Flood Insurance Information and Climate Change and Sea Level Rise – The Science.
This latest update focussing on Flood Insurance Information compiles useful links to the Insurance Council of Australia, NRMA Insurance and FMA ICA Fact Sheets.
If you are a current FMA Member, you can access the Series through our FMA Members’ Section of floods.org.au under Technical Resources.
The Members’ Section is only available to current FMA Members and you need to register for access – to register your details, please contact us.
Information on joining our Membership is available on our Membership page.
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OH, AND ONE LAST THING...
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UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS |
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MORETON BAY REGIONAL COUNCIL
Lead Engineer - Floodplain Management
Fore more information on the position, please visit the MBRC website.
Position closes 14 January 2019.
If you are interested in promoting a vacant position with us, please contact us.
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Pictured (from left): FMA Project and Services Coordinator Dominique Jovanović sporting her first release Conference Cap at the Supercars in Newcastle.
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