The Bushfire Risk Management Research Hub
The NSW Government launched the Bushfire Risk Management Research Hub in February 2018 to research ways to improve fire management strategies, and reduce the risk bushfires pose to people, property and the environment.
The University of Wollongong will host the new Hub for the next five years, leading a team of world-class experts from Western Sydney University, University of New South Wales and University of Tasmania.
Newsletter
Sign up for the Hub’s upcoming six-monthly newsletter, which covers the latest research outcomes of the Hub.
The information you provide in this form will only be used for the purpose for which it was collected. By submitting, you consent to storage, use, and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy. You can request access and amendment of your personal information.
Key research projects
The Bushfire Risk Management Research Hub has 6 projects:
The Energy Efficiency Research Hub
The Energy Efficiency Research Hub is a collaboration between the Department of Planning and Environment (the Department; formerly Office of Environment and Heritage), NSW universities and research institutions, which maximises co-investment in priority research topics.
The Hub will draw on academic resources and funding to conduct, collect and disseminate energy efficiency research.
The Hub is designed to deliver NSW specific research, which identifies new greenhouse gas emissions reduction and energy saving opportunities. The NSW Government has currently invested $600,000 to fund new energy and resource efficiency research over the next two years.
An evidence base
The Department recognises that a strong evidence base is needed to assess the impact of energy efficiency policies and programs in New South Wales. Any research commissioned by the Hub is tied to NSW Government operational and policy priorities, including Department strategic knowledge needs.
Energy Efficiency Decision Making Node
The Energy Efficiency Decision Making (EEDM) Node was established in 2017 as a partnership between the Department and the Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living.
The EEDM NSW Social Housing Sector Project (Sp0017p01) was approved by the EEDM Steering Committee in November 2017. The final project report was delivered to the Steering Committee on 2 April 2019, as follows:
1. Energy efficiency in social housing: Literature and program review
This report reflects on the findings of an international literature and program review that focuses specifically on the key factors that shape energy efficiency investments and improvements in outcomes in the social housing sector. Preliminary findings suggest similarities across social housing sectors of different geographical contexts, particularly:
- limited financial support
- lack of expert knowledge on technology and housing stock
- lack of policy intervention.
This review also considers capacity for and barriers to organisational change in this sector. Additionally, these findings also informed the drafting of questions asked in the social housing provider senior management interviews conducted as part of a broader project on energy efficiency investments and improvements in NSW’s social housing sector.
2. Energy efficiency in social housing: Interview findings and policy recommendations
This report presents the findings of the Energy Efficiency Decision Making in the NSW Social Housing Sector project, jointly conducted by researchers from University of New South Wales, Sydney and the University of Wollongong as part of the Energy Efficiency Decision Making Node funded by the NSW Government.
The project aimed to identify and understand the institutional, structural, material and cultural opportunities and barriers that shape decision-making of social housing providers (SHPs) in New South Wales on the implementation of energy efficiency upgrades. Specifically, this project focused on:
- the motivation for undertaking energy efficiency upgrades
- current (or planned) energy efficiency strategies
- barriers to the implementation of upgrades
- reported improvements in outcomes (actual and expected) by SHPs and their tenants.
3. Barriers and incentives for transitioning to zero emission vehicles in NSW: Stakeholder perspectives & literature review
This report, based on a literature review and stakeholder interviews, identifies the factors that are likely to influence householders’ decisions on zero emission vehicles (ZEVs) when purchasing a new vehicle. This provides insights for policy-makers on the barriers and incentives for NSW householders when considering the purchase of a ZEV, such as an electric vehicle (battery and plug-in hybrid) or hydrogen fuel cell vehicle.
The project aims to better understand NSW householder behaviour with respect to vehicle purchasing decisions to more accurately anticipate responses to government interventions for zero emission vehicles.
Newsletter
Sign up for the Hub’s upcoming bi-monthly newsletter, which covers the latest research outcomes of the Hub.
The information you provide in this form will only be used for the purpose for which it was collected. By submitting, you consent to storage, use, and disclosure of your personal information in accordance with our privacy policy. You can request access and amendment of your personal information.
NSW Adaptation Research Hub
The NSW Climate Adaptation Research Hub is a 5-year research collaboration between The Department of Planning and Environment and research institutions on climate change and adaptation science.
Phase one of the Hub includes three key research nodes that address these key priority research areas:
- Biodiversity
- Coastal Processes and Responses
- Adaptive Communities
The node hosts include UNSW, UTS, Macquarie University, the Sydney Institute of Marine Science and the CSIRO.
They collaborate with us to study the impacts of climate change in NSW and develop potential adaptation responses; including strategies for coastal communities to adapt to sea level rise, pilot plans to respond to heatwaves and improve the resilience of the built environment through urban green cover.
A fourth research node is being established to investigate human health and social impacts.
Newsletter and more information
For more information about the Hub and to sign up for the hub’s quarterly newsletter visit Adaptation Research Hub.
The newsletter covers the latest research outcomes and general climate change adaptation news from across NSW.