The Federal Government’s Bushfire and Natural Hazards Co-operative Research Centre has been launched with a wider role than its predecessor and a renewed focus on community resilience.

“This new centre will expand research on bushfires and incorporate other natural hazards such as floods, earthquakes, cyclones and tsunamis,” Justice Minister Michael Keenan said.

“It will inform emergency management policy across public warnings, capability, identifying vulnerabilities, emergency volunteers and buildings and infrastructure.”

Industry Minister Ian Macfarlane says the research centre is vital to Australia, where natural disasters are part of life.

“To have the Australian Government, emergency services, universities and community stakeholders come together on natural disaster resilience is very important. Our nation will be better placed to handle whatever nature throws at us.”

The first Bushfire Co-operative Research Centre was established in 2003. The new centre was funded by a $47 million Government contribution.

The Insurance Council of Australia (ICA) has welcomed the development.

“Research that helps make the community more resilient to the impact of natural disasters is supported by ICA,” a spokesman told insuranceNEWS.com.au.

“ICA has been working with a number of stakeholders on existing research programs initiated by the [centre’s] predecessor and will continue to support these research programs under the auspices of the new research centre.”

In a separate development, WA firefighters have begun using new technology to predict the speed, direction and intensity of bushfires.

The $5.6 million Aurora project takes into account weather forecasts, fuel types and geography, helping firefighters to respond and improving warnings to communities.

After a three-year trial the system is now operational for WA’s southern bushfire season.