Suncorp Group and the Queensland government have introduced a three-year initiative valued at $3 million, aiming to enhance the state’s capacity to manage and recover from extreme weather events.
The Future-Ready Resilience Program will direct funding towards technological innovation, academic research, and industry training, with the overarching goal of strengthening disaster preparedness across Queensland.
A primary focus of the initiative is the creation of an artificial intelligence-based severe storm warning system.
This system is designed to aggregate data from a range of sources – including satellite feeds, radar, and predictive weather models – to deliver real-time updates on approaching storms.
The intention is to provide earlier and more detailed alerts about the likely impact zones and types of hazards, such as hail, heavy rainfall, or strong winds.
By improving the accuracy and timeliness of severe weather warnings, the program aims to support both government agencies and insurers in making more informed decisions prior to major weather events.
This could enable more effective resource allocation and community preparation in the lead-up to storms and other natural hazards.
The program will allocate over $2 million to university-led research, targeting the development of new methods and technologies to boost Queensland’s resilience to natural disasters.
Additional funding will support training for builders, with a focus on construction practices that improve the durability of homes and repairs in the face of extreme weather.
Community engagement is also a component of the initiative.
Planned activities include hackathons and other collaborative events, encouraging students and early-career researchers to contribute ideas for disaster risk reduction and resilience.
Queensland Police and Emergency Services Minister Daniel Purdie (pictured third from the left) described the program as a collaborative effort to address the state’s vulnerability to natural disasters.
“Queenslanders know all too well the devastation that floods, cyclones, and bushfires can bring, and that’s why we’re investing in innovation now to better protect lives and property in the future,” he said.
He noted that the AI-driven warning system is expected to enhance the ability of emergency services to act quickly and efficiently.
“This partnership between the Crisafulli government and Suncorp is about harnessing the power of technology and research to give our emergency services, our communities, and our state the best possible chance to respond, recover, and rebuild,” Purdie said.
Suncorp CEO Steve Johnston said the insurer’s involvement reflects its ongoing commitment to risk mitigation in Queensland.
“This program underscores our ongoing commitment to working with the Queensland government to protect Queensland communities against the escalating threat of extreme weather, such as floods, cyclones, storms, and bushfires,” he said.
The announcement comes as Willis releases its latest Natural Catastrophe Review, projecting that insured losses from natural disasters in 2025 are likely to surpass $100 billion worldwide for the seventh year in a row.
According to the report, the January wildfires in Los Angeles have resulted in insured losses exceeding $40 billion, making it the costliest wildfire event for insurers to date.
Other significant events in 2025 include major wildfires in Japan and South Korea, a record tornado season in the US, a rare cyclone landfall near Brisbane, and unprecedented wind speeds in Ireland.
The report also anticipates an active North Atlantic hurricane season, which could further increase global insured losses in 2025.
