CSIRO, Optus research helps build resiliency against bushfires

Map showing Optus infrastructure assessed for fire threat or building loss potential.

A joint research conducted by Optus and Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO to help build resiliency for telecommunication structures is part of CSIRO’s work on mapping bushfire hazard for critical infrastructure.

Optus and CSIRO today released findings from their joint research, which analysed where there was risk of damage to the network and where upgrades could reduce vulnerability to future bushfire events.

Since mid-2020 and following the devastating bushfires crisis of the 2019-20, CSIRO and Optus have collaborated on a study of the potential impacts of embers, radiation and flame on and around Optus’ sites with telecommunications equipment. These learnings have been used to assess which sites were most at risk, and the priority site design changes.

Information on topography, fuel load, vegetation type and local bushfire weather severity was used to develop maps which then inform resiliency decisions for this critical infrastructure.

Optus is currently implementing the recommended mitigations at two of its sites in Victoria, Seville East and Dixons Creek, as reference examples for a larger, longer-term resiliency program and also to act as demonstration sites to help other infrastructure owners understand the learnings.

“Optus continuously aims to improve our network’s resilience as we know communities rely heavily on our services, especially during natural disasters and extreme weather events,” said Lambo Kanagaratnam, Optus Managing Director Network.

“Our collaboration with CSIRO has provided us with the analysis to allow us to target the best ways to protect the network where it could be most vulnerable.”

These bushfire hazard and planning maps are early examples of the types of products being develop by CSIRO’s National Bushfire Intelligence Capabilities (NBIC) project which is seeking to develop relevant bushfire hazard mapping products for a wide range of infrastructure types ranging from residential housing to critical infrastructure.

CSIRO has a 70-year history of conducting bushfire research to help Australia respond to a changing and variable climate and build the resilience of our nation.

“CSIRO has provided Optus with science and technology-based solutions that address a major threat facing all industries which rely on critical infrastructure: bushfires,” said Justin Leonard, CSIRO’s Research Leader for Bushfire Adaptation.

“The research can inform resiliency decisions across a number of industries, including telecommunications, energy and emergency services.”

Mr Kanagaratnam said Optus believed resiliency learnings and improvements was an area where organisations must work together, exchange findings, and support each other for the greater benefit of all Australian communities.

“We’ll be working with our industry association, Communications Alliance, to arrange for Optus to share with other companies and organisations what we’ve learned through our work with CSIRO,” he said.

“A nationally consistent and authoritative bushfire hazard and risk information approach amongst telecommunication infrastructure parties would help ensure services are available at the times people need them the most.”

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