The Bureau of Meteorology says better co-ordination of riverine flood risk monitoring would significantly reduce risk to life and property.

Riverine flood data collection infrastructure across Australia is fragmented and poorly funded, designed and maintained in some areas, the bureau has told the Productivity Commission’s inquiry into natural disaster funding.

Its submission calls for a flood warning infrastructure partnership to ensure improved national co-ordination of networks and better data collection.

More than 100 organisations own and operate more than 2000 river monitoring gauges and 2400 rainfall gauges, and a lack of common standards limits the effectiveness of warning systems, the bureau says.

Governments and industry often seek the bureau’s advice when planning flood warning systems, but its funding is insufficient to meet the demand.

“Funding must include not only the supply and installation of river and rainfall monitoring equipment, but also for ongoing maintenance to ensure they continue to work reliably.”