Recovery Continues in SE Queensland

21 November 2008

As of this morning, the number of claims received by the general insurance industry for the series of severe weather events beginning on 16 November in SE Queensland is now approximately 16,000 claims with an estimated claims cost of $140 million.

“The focus of the general insurance industry is to meet the needs and expectations of its customers in recovery operations like these.” Chief Executive of the Insurance Council, Ms Kerrie Kelly said. “To this end, the industry is continuing to work around the clock to ensure claims are being attended to as quickly as possible.”

The general insurance industry is in regular discussions with the Queensland and affected local governments and emergency services as the clean-up operation continues.

A key issue that has arisen following the recent severe weather, is the ability of buildings to withstand incidents of extreme weather such as that experienced in SE Queensland.

The Insurance Council has made an initial submission to a review of the Intergovernmental Agreement for the Australian Building Codes Board and will make a more detailed submission prior to the deadline of 30 November.

“A critical issue highlighted in the submission is the need for a minimum building code requirement for reliability and durability of properties to hazards,” said Ms Kelly. A minimum requirement would protect the safety and economic sustainability of individuals and communities by improving the survivability of the property.”

“Building codes need to do more than just minimise the potential loss of life and enable construction at a minimum cost to builders,” said Ms Kelly. “We need the building codes to increase a property’s resilience to hazards to ensure the building protects both the individual and the community’s investment in its ongoing use.”

“For example, current minimum building code requirements for roofing and windows do nothing to acknowledge the impacts of hail,” said Ms Kelly. “Additionally, construction for high wind loads to building code requirements is currently only sufficient to prevent collapse and not severe damage to the building itself.”

“It is important that the existing and future built environment protects individuals and the community and that building codes ensure that Australia’s built environment is both reliable and durable to storms hazards including hail, wind, flash-flooding, etc.”

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Media Enquiries: Sean Sampson 02 9253 5161 0421 482 884