Scovell, M.D., McShane, C.J., Swinbourne, A.L., and Smith, D.J. (2017) Investigating factors that influence cyclone mitigation behaviour: a pilot study. In: [Presented at the 6th Australian and New Zealand Disaster & Emergency Management Conference]. From: 6th Australian and New Zealand Disaster & Emergency Management Conference, 22-23 May 2017, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia.

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Abstract

In cyclone-prone regions like North Queensland, insurance premiums are priced to reflect the high potential for economic loss from cyclone events. To address premium affordability, insurance companies (e.g., Suncorp) have begun offering their customers discounts for installing or performing mitigation measures aimed at reducing property damage. However, there is still a significant at-risk population who choose not to invest in mitigation measures. It is therefore important to further understand factors that facilitate or impede an individual's decision to invest in cyclone mitigation measures (e.g., experience, risk perception and perceptions about mitigation measures), so that preparedness messaging and incentive programs can be optimised for the population in which they are to be delivered. In 2016, James Cook University (HABITT and Cyclone Testing Station), Suncorp and the Queensland Government commenced a research project to investigate factors that influence mitigation behaviour. This presentation reviews findings from the first project study, which investigated the results from a pilot study of a self-administered questionnaire. The pilot study was delivered at an annual community cyclone awareness event in Townsville ("Cyclone Sunday"). A total of 72 respondents were recruited at the event and asked to complete the questionnaire assessing variables hypothesised to be of interest including age, homeownership, perceptions of risk and cyclone mitigation status. Preliminary data from the pilot study suggest that respondents tended to perceive future cyclone related property damage as likely but not severe. It was also found that while relatively low-cost preparedness activities were commonly performed, few respondents had installed more costly mitigation measures specifically aimed at reducing cyclone related property damage (e.g., cyclone shutters). The pilot study findings provide needed insight for the Phase I study into psychological drivers of cyclone mitigation behaviour which will take place later this year.

Item ID:	49758
Item Type:	Conference Item (Poster)
Related URLs:	https://anzdmc.com.au/
Date Deposited:	03 Aug 2017 00:19
FoR Codes:	17 PSYCHOLOGY AND COGNITIVE SCIENCES > 1701 Psychology > 170113 Social and Community Psychology @ 100%
SEO Codes:	96 ENVIRONMENT > 9610 Natural Hazards > 961010 Natural Hazards in Urban and Industrial Environments @ 40% 92 HEALTH > 9204 Public Health (excl. Specific Population Health) > 920407 Health Protection and/or Disaster Response @ 30% 87 CONSTRUCTION > 8798 Environmentally Sustainable Construction > 879899 Environmentally Sustainable Construction not elsewhere classified @ 30%
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