The Bushfire and Natural Hazards Co-operative Research Centre (BNHCRC) is hopeful efforts to secure a new round of finance will be successful and ensure its future when the terms of its current funding end in June 2021.

During a Senate Economics Legislation Committee hearing on Wednesday, Labor senator Kim Carr suggested the CRC was set to be wound up when its originally-agreed eight years of funding dries up in the middle of next year.

“That is not the case at all,” BNHCRC spokesman Nathan Maddock told insuranceNEWS.com.au. “We are hopeful of new funding. We realise science funding is competitive but we are making a strong case.”

The centre received about $47 million in 2013 from the federally funded Co-operative Research Centres Program to support its work until 2021. Matching contributions came from state and territory government organisations, research institutions and non-profit bodies.

Under the terms of the broader program, no extensions are given to CRC funding beyond the initially set terms.

The BNHCRC could now secure separate funding though.

“Future funding from the government would be a matter for consideration,” Jane Urquhart, the Head of Science and Commercialisation Policy Division at the Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, told the hearing, adding that the government “well appreciates the value” of the group.

Ms Urquhart also noted the Queensland state government had credited BNHCRC initiatives with saving lives during the recent bushfire season.

A joint working group was established with the Australasian Fire and Emergency Service Authorities Council to present the case for new financial support and the BNHCRC says the increased frequency and intensity of bushfires, cyclones and other hazards highlights the need to continue with its work.