About disasters in Tasmania
Tasmania is vulnerable to many disaster hazards. We are experiencing emergencies more frequently and with more intensity. These events have significant impacts on our communities, economy, infrastructure and environment.
Over the past few years, Tasmania has experienced events including bushfires, floods, severe weather, a pandemic and cyber incidents. The arrangements to manage these events are set out in the Tasmanian Emergency Management Arrangements.
The Tasmanian Disaster Risk Assessment outlines the most likely large-scale disasters our state could experience.
Today’s disasters demand more than an emergency response, they require a whole-of-society effort to prevent, withstand and recover.
Creating a resilient Tasmania
The Tasmanian Disaster Resilience Strategy is a roadmap for building our on-island resilience against natural, human-caused or biological disasters. It strengthens our coordinated all-hazards approach to resilience.
The strategy was informed by extensive consultation across emergency management stakeholders and experts, and the Tasmanian community. It supports Tasmania’s emergency management sector to align and advance investment towards a shared resilience vision and provides strategic leadership on disaster resilience priorities.
Cyber security resilience
The Cyber Security Strategy 2024-2028 aims to foster a culture of cyber security awareness, enhance collaboration with industry and build local expertise. The strategy focuses on strengthening critical infrastructure, adopting a risk-based approach and ensuring security for government services and data.
Natural hazard resilience funding
Disaster Ready Fund
The Australian Government’s Disaster Ready Fund invests in projects that build resilience to prepare or reduce risk of future natural hazard impacts across Australia.
The Australian Government National Emergency Management Agency administers the fund in partnership with state and territory governments. Find more details about the fund, including the Tasmanian recipients and details on timing of the fourth round, at the National Emergency Management Agency's website.
Future Drought Fund
The Australian Government's Future Drought Fund aims to boost drought and climate resilience. It provides secure, continuous funding to help Australian farmers and communities become more prepared for (and resilient to) the impacts of drought.
The Tasmanian Government is coordinating the delivery of two Future Drought Fund programs in Tasmania, jointly funded through the Future Drought Fund and the Tasmanian Government.
- The Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program provides Tasmanian communities with practical actions on how to prepare and manage future drought and climate challenges. It is delivered by the Department of Premier and Cabinet through the Drought Ready Tasmania website.
- The Farm Business Resilience program helps Tasmanian farmers grow their businesses and plan with confidence. It is delivered by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania.
Find more details about the fund at the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry website.
Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements
Also known as the Bushfires Royal Commission, the commission was established in response to the extreme bushfire season of 2019-2020 which resulted in loss of life, property and wildlife, and environmental destruction across the nation.
Since 2022, the Australian Government National Emergency Management Agency has led the progress of the commission's recommendations.
Tasmanian Government response
The Tasmanian Government supports, or supports in principle, all of the recommendations. This is except for the recommendations that the Australian Government be able to take action without a state or territory request for assistance and that state governments assume responsibility for local government emergency management activity.
Many of the recommendations are focused on national coordination and will take time to address. The Tasmanian Government has already started work in response to some of the recommendations that can be delivered at the state level and is doing everything it can to ensure Tasmania is prepared as possible for natural disasters.