Mr MILLS - 2007-08-30
Considering that over the last decade we have had three category 5 cyclones with winds in excess of 300 km/h, can you confirm that the works to be undertaken to strengthen public cyclone shelters are only to a strong category 4 cyclone, that is sub-300 km/h winds? Is it not the case that such buildings are not built to withstand the maximum winds in a category 5 cyclone, such as Thelma, Ingrid and Monica?
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I can confirm that all current work under way to extend the number of cyclone shelters, particularly the works on the gymnasiums at the schools, meet the Australian building code standards for cyclones. I can also confirm that there is a growing debate within the engineering community as far as what that building code standard should be, that there is an existing level – and all of our cyclone shelters meet the existing level. Some of our newer buildings are actually in excess of that existing standard.
There is currently a study being undertaken at a national level to actually test a range of engineering modelling around cyclones and the increasing intensity of cyclones. Within the engineering fraternity right across the Top End of Australia, because this affects Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia particularly, there is a debate about whether the existing code sitting at the level four is the code we should remain on, or whether it should be increased, so there is a national study going on. I met with representatives from Canberra about that study that was only going to be modelling on Queensland scenarios. I have asked that they do some modelling in particular response to the Territory circumstances as well. I am waiting for that expert advice. Early indications are that existing codes are significantly strong enough, however, I want to hear from the experts as to what they say about any future changes to the code.
You have to be careful here, because you do not want to go into the realms of scaremongering. It is a highly technical debate within the engineering fraternity. The advice I have received from absolute experts in this field is that our existing code within the Australian standard is strong enough and sufficient enough to withstand the cyclones that we are getting now. The argument really is, in relation to climate change, what we will see in terms of increasing intensity of cyclones. That is where the argument is, that is where it is headed, and there are experts at the national level doing modelling studies on that.
ANSWER
Madam Speaker, I thank the member for his question. I can confirm that all current work under way to extend the number of cyclone shelters, particularly the works on the gymnasiums at the schools, meet the Australian building code standards for cyclones. I can also confirm that there is a growing debate within the engineering community as far as what that building code standard should be, that there is an existing level – and all of our cyclone shelters meet the existing level. Some of our newer buildings are actually in excess of that existing standard.
There is currently a study being undertaken at a national level to actually test a range of engineering modelling around cyclones and the increasing intensity of cyclones. Within the engineering fraternity right across the Top End of Australia, because this affects Queensland, the Northern Territory and Western Australia particularly, there is a debate about whether the existing code sitting at the level four is the code we should remain on, or whether it should be increased, so there is a national study going on. I met with representatives from Canberra about that study that was only going to be modelling on Queensland scenarios. I have asked that they do some modelling in particular response to the Territory circumstances as well. I am waiting for that expert advice. Early indications are that existing codes are significantly strong enough, however, I want to hear from the experts as to what they say about any future changes to the code.
You have to be careful here, because you do not want to go into the realms of scaremongering. It is a highly technical debate within the engineering fraternity. The advice I have received from absolute experts in this field is that our existing code within the Australian standard is strong enough and sufficient enough to withstand the cyclones that we are getting now. The argument really is, in relation to climate change, what we will see in terms of increasing intensity of cyclones. That is where the argument is, that is where it is headed, and there are experts at the national level doing modelling studies on that.
Last updated: 09 Aug 2016