Suncorp Group has expanded its operational footprint in North Queensland with the launch of a regional hub in Townsville’s central business district.
The new facility is set to create more than 100 jobs for local residents, with the company currently recruiting for 120 additional positions.
The Townsville hub is designed to operate as a satellite disaster response centre, working in tandem with Suncorp’s main disaster management centre in Brisbane.
The company’s investment includes the deployment of five mobile disaster response hubs, with one unit to be based permanently in Townsville.
These mobile facilities are intended to provide immediate support to communities affected by severe weather, enabling Suncorp to deliver customer assistance and claims processing directly in impacted areas.
Suncorp’s move comes as North Queensland continues to face frequent and severe weather incidents.
The regional hub is equipped to serve as a local command centre during disasters, facilitating communication with customers and stakeholders and supporting rapid deployment of resources.
Chief executive officer Steve Johnston (pictured left) said the expanded presence in Townsville is part of Suncorp’s broader strategy to improve disaster response capabilities.
“North Queensland is on the frontline of extreme weather, and we’re taking decisive action to be there for our customers when they need us most,” he said. “This new regional hub in Townsville and our fleet of disaster response hubs are game-changers.”
Johnston said that the new investments are aimed at strengthening both Suncorp’s operational readiness and the region’s economic resilience through job creation and workforce development.
“They significantly enhance our ability to mobilise faster, reach more customers sooner, and provide critical support before, during, and after major weather events,” he said.
Extreme weather in the first half of 2025 has resulted in over $1.8 billion in insured losses across Australia, according to recent data from the Insurance Council of Australia (ICA).
Three major events – the Mid-North Coast and Hunter floods, North Queensland flooding in February, and Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred – accounted for the majority of claims during this period.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred was the largest single event, generating more than 125,000 claims with an estimated value of $1.36 billion.
The North Queensland floods contributed over 11,000 claims and $274 million in losses, while the Mid-North Coast and Hunter event resulted in approximately $200 million in insured losses from 11,500 claims as of early July.
