Landslide inventory and susceptibility zoning across SE Australia

Abstract A landmark Australian landslide research project, that will produce a series of medium-scale landslide inventory and susceptibility zoning datasets for substantial areas of Australia, is proposed. The project will produce a series of planning tools to facilitate the implementation of the AGS 2007 Landslide Risk Management (LRM) guidelines within government, and also address the new paradigm in risk management of due diligence. The project will also summarize the current variable status of landslide regulations around the country at both state and local government levels. This project will complement the earlier National Disaster Mitigation funding of the Australian Geomechanics Society and will address the difficulty in assembling a meaningful landslide inventory, essential for the development of susceptibility and hazard maps in landslide risk management practice. Susceptibility maps are seen as the best product from which to produce planning and development control areas for use in local government planning schemes addressing landslide issues. The development of a National Landslide Inventory framework would enhance data collection standards for this hazard across Australia. The costs associated with landslide damage and management are poorly documented within Australia and this project will also contribute to enhancing this element. Preliminary figures from early work in this area suggests government spending in the Wollongong area alone is at least $5 million annually since 1950 on landslide related costs. The project will also result in a series of regional to local zoning inventory and susceptibility zoning datasets and associated maps ranging from 1:250 000 and perhaps in some areas up to 1:25 000 scales for substantial areas of Australia. A modelling process will also be documented to promote transparency and to facilitate subsequent review and revisions. Achieving appropriate levels of funding to undertake this project remains a priority for the team. However, substantial elements are being developed already (some of which are summarized in this paper) and the authors are confident this project will come to fruition.