Council increases funding to the Cyclone Testing Station
Date published: 25 July 2017
Townsville Mayor Councillor Jenny Hill handed over a $20,000 cheque to continue funding the James Cook University Cyclone Testing Station (CTS) for further research into the performance of buildings and their construction during severe weather events.
Cr Hill said Townsville was the only council supporting the Cyclone Testing Station and has assisted with funding for many years and called upon the federal government to start supporting the facility to make regions that experience extreme weather events more resilient.
“The Cyclone Testing Station is the leading facility when it comes to research and discovering how houses and buildings hold up during cyclones and other severe weather events and receives no funding from the federal government or any other council,” Cr Hill said.
“All of North Queensland and in fact Northern Australia experience cyclones and extreme weather so I would like to call on the federal government and all councils to start contributing to this facility so they can continue their great work.
“The Station’s findings over the years have provided valuable information to the construction industry about materials and designs to build houses that stand-up better during cyclones.
“Extra funding from the federal government would go a long way for the facility to investigate future building products and testing their resilience in regions affected by cyclones.
“Council heard today their latest report that provided details about the structural and rain damage, storm tides and other areas like crops and sheds and how they were affected by Cyclone Debbie.
“The CTS have also made a range of practical recommendations to improve building resilience across the community.
“What makes the CTS work so valuable is that their findings can be applied to any location that experiences extreme wind or rain.”
Townsville City Council has provided financial support to the Cyclone Testing Station for more than 35 years.
