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MELBOURNE
BRUNSWICK
BUNDOORA
FISHERMANS BEND
POINT COOK
HAMILTON
HO CHI MINH CITY
HANOI
Day-to-day pressures increase rural
communities’ vulnerability to bushfire
Research by RMIT University PhD graduate and Caulfield resident, Joshua
Whittaker, has investigated the nature of human vulnerability to bushfires in East
Gippsland during the 2003 Victorian bushfires. In particular, the research shows
how social and economic processes can undermine rural communities’ capacities
to protect themselves from bushfires.
“One of the major findings of my research is that while most residents had their
homes and contents insured, many farmers were underinsured for damage to their
livelihood assets,” Dr Whittaker said.
“The cost of premiums was the main barrier to greater insurance, with longstanding
drought and other financial pressures on farm households leading to reduced
expenditure on business risk management.”
Dr Whittaker’s research developed a multifaceted understanding of the factors that
influence people’s exposure to bushfire hazards and their capacities to cope and
adapt.
Vulnerability is shown to arise from the day-to-day pressures of dealing with
drought, declining farm incomes, depopulation, limited access to essential
services, and political marginality, demonstrating that vulnerability reduction is
intertwined with livelihoods and regional economic and social vitality.
“The research demonstrates the need to address the underlying causes of
vulnerability to prevent future bushfire disasters,” he said.
Dr Whittaker first became interested in the research after the 2003 Victorian
bushfires and focused on a small rural community in East Gippsland.
“I was very interested in how rural communities were affected by the fires,
especially considering that many were already stressed by drought and were
experiencing profound social and economic challenges. I looked at how people
were threatened by bushfires and their capacities for coping with and adapting to
impacts,” he said.
The knowledge and experience he has gained from the research has enabled Dr
Whittaker to take a lead role in the Bushfire CRC’s research into human behaviour
and community safety issues during the “Black Saturday” fires of 7 February, 2009.
For interviews or comment: Dr Joshua Whittaker, (03) 9925 2418.
For general media enquiries: RMIT University Communications, Deborah
Sippitts, (03) 9925 3116 or 0429 588 869.
19 January, 2010
NEWS 
