AAMI and GIO Resilience Week: Highest risk storm and bushfire suburbs in NSW and VIC revealed

By Mary Ward · · 3 min read
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The highest risk suburbs for storm and bushfire damage have been released ahead of the summer season, with Melbourne’s west and regional NSW most likely to suffer damage.

Victorian data released by AAMI showed that residents in Melbourne’s west were most likely to claim for damage caused by natural hazards with Hoppers Crossing, Altona Meadows and Point Cook listed as the top three suburbs, while Werribee and Altona also made the top ten.

Up in NSW, GIO’s data revealed Sydney’s North Shore and Northern Beaches were one of the state’s worst areas for bushfires, and the Hawkesbury region one of the worst for floods.

However, other at-risk regions were spread across NSW, with Wollongong and the Hunter Valley both identified as hot spots for bushfires, Coffs Harbour and Ballina named the worst places for storms, while the states most flood-prone areas ranged from Tweed Shire near the Queensland border, to Forbes in the state’s Central West.

The data has been released by insurers AAMI and GIO as part of their ‘Resilience Week’, which encourages Australians to be better prepared for summer’s natural hazards. Mozo advises residents to check if their home insurance policy adequately covers them in the case of a natural disaster.

AAMI spokesperson, Reuben Aitchison, said Victoria was a state of extremes when it comes to weather, and that all Victorians should be on alert this summer.

“As recent as two months ago, SES volunteers were helping one part of the state which was being battered by a severe storm, while another part was experiencing snow, and then one week later we were struggling through 30 plus degree heat.” he said.

“While the suburbs we have identified all rank highly, we want everyone in Victoria to use our ‘Resilience Week’ to make themselves more aware of the risks they are exposed to, and be better prepared to face them during the summer months.”

GIO spokesperson Stephen Bell said the same message applied to residents in NSW.

“It’s crucial for all home owners, and in particular those living in the communities in the southern and northern regions, to understand what risks they face in order to prepare for the summer season,” he said.

“Over the past few years, we’ve often seen the devastation of summer storms and bushfires, but there are things people can do around the home to better protect their property and family.”

Here are the top storm and bushfire tips for the summer season:

  • Check gutters and downpipes and fit quality metal leaf guards where possible.

  • Check the condition of your roof and replace any damaged or missing tiles.

  • Cut back any overhanging trees or shrubs. Check with your local council if you’re unsure about which trees/branches you can cut. Do not attempt to trim trees near power lines.

  • Keep your lawn short and the backyard tidy.

  • Keep a battery operated torch and AM radio handy in case of loss of electricity, as well as a first aid kit, spare water and canned food. Use the radio for power restoration updates and possible evacuation notices.

  • Consider putting together a small package of keepsakes and things you would hate to lose, in case you need to leave quickly.

Worried about how your family’s finances would cope if a natural hazard struck? Search Mozo’s home insurance tables to find the right level of cover for you.