Seizing the Newcastle Moment: Data Collection in the Aftermath of A Flood Event

David Gibbins, Newcastle City Council; Dr Philip Haines, BMT WBM Pty Ltd; Duncan McLuckie, Department of Environment & Climate Change; and Andrew Gissing, State Emergency Service

Post flood data collection is critical to gaining an understanding of not only flood behaviour but the behaviour of people during a flood event, learning from the event, and examining how best to improve management of the flood risk and emergency response and recovery into the future.

The Newcastle June 2007 flood event provided an opportunity to collect a myriad of data post the event. This paper will discuss:

• The types of data that were collected
• who was responsible for collecting the data
• the funding sources that may be able to be accessed
• establishment of committees as being keys to success

It will also consider lessons learnt out of the June 2007 event and highlight missed opportunities for data collection and make recommendations on what should occur to ensure that future opportunities are not missed.

Download the research paper for more information.