Are you aware of the catastrophic landslide events that impacted Poatina in October 2022? CES-Lab has obtained Tasmania State Emergency Service competitive funding (total project value of $231,000) to assess extreme landslide risks in the region. Multiple regions across Northern Tasmania experienced their highest rainfall on record, with rainstorms causing numerous landslides and widespread flooding, resulting in widespread damage. The steep slopes of the Western Tiers are particularly susceptible to such events, which are capable of impacting critical infrastructure.

Large-scale landslide hazards remain a significant concern for Tasmanian communities. Our work seeks to build disaster resilience in Tasmania’s Western Tiers and surrounds. The funding continues the ongoing work conducted by CES-Lab under Drs Ali Tolooiyan, Ashley Dyson and Gholamreza Kefayati on Tasmanian landslide and debris flow hazards.

Due to the topography and geology of northern Tasmania, regular large rainstorms will continue to result in flooding accompanied by large numbers of landslides. The frequency and magnitude of these disasters may increase over the coming century due to a changing climate.

We aim to build disaster resilience through targeted research, community education and training workshops. Further information about our work on natural hazards can be found on our Natural Hazards page.