​The article reports that Australia may be better prepared for the 2023/24 bushfire season but the Australian government is considering revisiting the recommendations made by the 2020 Bushfire Royal Commission in light of the current El Nino weather conditions, which are expected to increase the risk of bushfires.

The article notes that some of the recommendations made by the Royal Commission have not been fully implemented and discusses the potential impact of climate change on natural hazard risk and the need for a coordinated national approach to natural hazard management.

A coordinated national apporach to hazard management must involve all levels of government, as well as relevant stakeholders such as emergency services, landowners, businesses, insurance and community groups, working together to develop and implement innovative strategies to (reduce the risk of bushfires and) manage their impact when they occur. Such an approach would involve a range of activities, not limited to:

• Improving community education and engagement to increase awareness of natural hazard risk and encourage governments, individuals and communities to take action to reduce their risk.
• Enhancing emergency response capabilities, including improving communication and coordination between emergency services, developing better warning systems and investing in mitigation innovation.

A coordinated national approach to natural hazard management requires strong leadership, effective and informed collaboration between all stakeholders supported by sustainable investment over the long term.

These ambitious outcomes however, have the potential to significantly reduce the impact and shocks of natural hazard events on communities and the environment.

To read the full ABCNews article by national science, technology and environment reporter Michael Slezak and the Specialist Reporting Team's Loretta Florance and Emily Laurence (Friday 22/09/2023), click here.