The Bushfire and Natural Hazards Cooperative Research Centre will evolve to become a “world-class” disaster study centre utilising $88.1 million in federal funding.
Federal Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud announced the new funding on Thursday. It includes an additional $2 million to allow the BNHCRC to continue its Black Summer Bushfires research begun in the 2020-21 financial year.
Emergency Management Australia and the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources will work with the CSIRO, the current BNHCRC, and the Australasian Fire and Emergency Services Authorities Council to help establish the new centre over the next 12 months.
Co-funding for the new centre will come from state and territory governments and emergency service agencies, universities, and industry partners.
Mr Littleproud said the federal money would build on the BNHCRC’s work while strengthening ties with the emergency management sector.
“The new centre will deliver world-leading, evidence-based research to support the needs of our emergency services and communities to reduce climate and disaster risks, and prepare for, respond to and recover from future natural disasters,” he said.