Understanding the impact of climate change on extreme weather events on the Sunshine Coast

Jurisdiction: Queensland

From bushfires to rain and flooding, weather events are increasing in number and strength due to climate change. How might we provide policy advisors and researchers with the keys to communicate the increasing risks and drive change in government policy and public behaviour?

Climate change is a global, national and a local issue which is expected to impact our region's natural environment, economy and liveability.

We can also expect changes in the frequency and magnitude of extreme weather events such as cyclones, storms, droughts, heat waves and flooding. This may cause damage to buildings and infrastructure and increase the frequency and severity of bush fires, which could also increase maintenance costs and insurance premiums.

How can we build a robust model to assist with development of communications about the heightened risks of bush fires?

Can a model of extreme weather events clearly illustrate the increasing regularity and intensity of these extreme events as a strong case for the development of highly effective policy and budgeted implementation programs?

Your use of data sets from multiple sources can be integrated into a tool for the Sunshine Coast with easy replication in other areas to help drive the local government sustainability agenda from the grass roots level, while also relevant at state and national levels.

For example you could create a model based on aggregated time series datasets.

Sources: various including https://els.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Planning-for-the-future/Climate-change

Additional Information:

Additional links:
https://els.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/Planning-for-the-future/Climate-change
https://data.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/
https://data.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/browse?category=Environment
https://www.inaturalist.org/

Eligibility: Must use at least one Queensland dataset.

Entry: Challenge entry is available to all teams in Australia.

Dataset Highlight

Queensland Government WildNet database

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Queensland Government Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (SLATS) data

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Sunshine Coast Regional Council Planning Scheme - Overlays

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Bureau of Meteorology climate data

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