An interactive tool designed to allow Greater Hobart residents to examine the fire risk of their properties has been expanded to include more local government areas.
The Bushfire Exposure Index 2024, produced by technology firm Geoneon, uses satellite and climate data to consider the density and type of surrounding vegetation near properties to assess bushfire risk.
A Christmas Day fire at Bruny Island in 2018 is waterbombed. (ABC News: David Hudspeth)
Its development has been supported by funding from the National Emergency Management Agency.
The first report, produced last year, included data for residents in the council areas of Hobart, Kingborough and Glenorchy.
This year it's been expanded to include Clarence, Sorrell and Brighton, with 4,225 buildings identified as having at least moderately high bushfire exposure risk.
Use Geoneon's map to look up your address:
Roxane Bandini-Maeder says the mapping should be seen as an "additional tool to guide decision making". (ABC News: Meg Whitfield)
Geoneon chief executive Roxane Bandini-Maeder said the inclusion of more areas was a result of community feedback.
"Last year, we saw there were 50,000 views in just 48 hours," she said.
"I think there is a real need for the community to have this kind of information."
Ms Bandini-Maeder said this year, more building types had also been included.
"Last year, we really focused on residential buildings," she said.
"This year, we decided to add also commercial and industrial buildings to have a better overview.
"So the number of buildings has changed, the expansion has changed, and … we put climate data and enhanced our artificial intelligence model to map vegetation as well, which is much more accurate."
The catastrophic bushfire event of 1967 looms large in Tasmania's history. (Supplied: Jane Maarseveen)
However, she acknowledged it didn't take into account all factors that influence fires, including ember attacks, access routes or building materials.
"This is really a long-term preparedness tool," she said.
"We don't provide specific recommendations, but really the index serves as an additional tool to guide decision-making."
So what does the mapping show?
Using artificial intelligence and satellite imagery, Geoneon assessed more than 94,000 buildings across 132 southern Tasmanian suburbs, categorising them according to their level of bushfire exposure.
Its report found 4.5 per cent of all assessed buildings were classified in the higher exposure categories, which range from "moderately high" to "extremely high".
This was due to factors including their proximity to bushland, vegetation density and long-term precipitation patterns.
| Bushfire Exposure Index | Number of Buildings | Percentage of Buildings |
|---|---|---|
| Extremely High | 70 | 0.1% |
| Very High | 952 | 1.0% |
| Relatively High | 1,441 | 1.5% |
| Moderately High | 1,762 | 1.9% |
| Total | 4,225 | 4.5% |
| This table summarises the total number and percentage of buildings in the Greater Hobart area that fall into each exposure category (7-10), ranging from “Moderately High” to “Extremely High”. Source: Geoneon | ||
Kingborough was again identified as the municipality with the highest number of buildings in the higher exposure categories, with 1,727 buildings meeting this threshold.
This was followed by Hobart with 1,205, then Clarence with 751.
Sandford, in Clarence, had the highest number of buildings with bushfire exposure at a suburb level, followed by Mount Nelson and Fern Tree in Hobart.
| LGA | Number of Buildings | Percentage of Buildings |
|---|---|---|
| Kingborough | 1,727 | 10.5% |
| Hobart | 1,205 | 6.3% |
| Clarence | 751 | 3.1% |
| Glenorchy | 203 | 2.5% |
| Sorell | 202 | 1.9% |
| Brighton | 137 | 1.1% |
| Total | 4,225 | 4.5% |
| Breakdown of buildings exposed to bushfires by Local Government Area (LGA) and their Bushfire Exposure Index category. Source: Geoneon | ||
Ms Bandini-Maeder said that knowledge could be used to support long-term planning.
"It's not replacing any other outlooks, but it is complementary to have even more information, because the more people are aware … and local councils are aware, they can actually do something about it."
She said this would continue over time too, with the data providing insights into how mitigation measures might be working, as yearly results were compared.
A National Emergency Management Agency spokesperson said the guidelines for round three of the Disaster Ready Fund were expected to be released in coming months.
They said they encouraged Geoneon "to contact the lead agency in their state to discuss their suitability".
Local council seeing the benefits
The City of Hobart's Karen Abey said the mapping tool was "invaluable" for both the council and broader community.
She said feedback was strong following the release of last year's index, with residents telling the council it had prompted them to do some vegetation clearing.
"We are finding that the community is increasingly aware of the risks that bushfire can face to their property," Ms Abey said.
Karen Abey describes the information offered by the mapping tool as great to have as part of a suite of measures. (ABC News: Meg Whitfield)
"Some people like to participate in community meetings, other people prefer to take more of an individual approach to understanding the risks that their properties face.
"So it's absolutely wonderful to have an additional tool for people to have in their toolkit to understand the risks… and understand a little bit more about what they can do."
Ms Bandini-Maeder said Geoneon's goal was to create an updated map every year.
However, she said the company would require more funding to do so, with the team actively pursuing opportunities for support across different levels of government.
Tasmania Fire Service urges people 'know your risk'
Tasmania Fire Service and Emergency Services Commissioner Jeremy Smith said while "a normal bushfire risk" was predicted for spring, "continuing drier and warmer conditions will increase bushfire risk towards summer".
"That is why we need the community to be prepared, and now is the time for action," Mr Smith said.
"Know your risk, develop and practice bushfire plans, clean up and remove flammable waste from around the home to create a defendable space."