The Federal Government will provide $47 million toward a new Bushfire and Natural Hazards Co-operative Research Centre (CRC) to build on the work of the existing centre and expand research into other natural hazards.

The Government says in a statement its contribution, spaced over eight years, is dependent on the state and territories chipping in.

“State and territory governments have been closely involved in the existing Bushfire CRC and we expect that they will be prepared to make a substantial contribution to this important initiative,” it says.

It is anticipated research will be expanded into such natural hazards as flood, earthquake, cyclone and tsunami events.

The new CRC will also work with communities to improve disaster resilience and reduce the human, social, economic and environmental costs associated with bushfires and other natural hazards.  

Bushfire CRC CEO Gary Morgan has welcomed the development and says it’s timely, with the current funding scheduled to end in June this year.

“The creation of the first national centre for combined research into fire and natural hazards is a welcome development,” he said.