Advertorial for NRMA Insurance
As extreme weather intensifies, Australia is increasingly feeling the social and economic strain of floods, storms, bushfire, cyclones and droughts. In response, NRMA Insurance has established its multi-million dollar ‘Help Fund’ aimed at accelerating solutions to help communities withstand and recover from these escalating risks.
Recognising the role technology can play in helping communities adapt, withstand and recover from extreme weather, NRMA Insurance has awarded five Australian climate tech ventures $100,000 grants to help scale their pioneering solutions.
“Climate risk is complex and far-reaching,” said NRMA Insurance CEO Julie Batch. “As a nation we must collaborate and innovate to build climate resilience and protect communities.
“Emerging technology is proving to be a powerful tool in this effort, so we’re investing in people and ideas with the potential to create meaningful, lasting change.”
Local ideas with global potential
The inaugural recipients of the Help Fund climate smart innovation grants are DNA Energy, FloodMapp, GeoNadir, Rainstick and VALAI: Home Efficiency Australia. Each reflect the calibre of climate innovation being developed in Australia.
Their ideas include a data-driven app that helps households become more water efficient, an electric seed treatment that increases crop supplies, advanced environmental mapping software and a virtual energy grid that helps stabilise power supply in extreme heat.
The support of Help Fund will accelerate these breakthroughs, advancing trials within local communities while keeping talent and their solutions on Aussie soil.
A changing tide for flood response
One of the most powerful examples of climate innovation underway right now is FloodMapp, the Brisbane-based climate startup transforming how communities receive life-saving flood intelligence.
FloodMapp’s real-time modelling platform is powering live flood alerts in Waze and supporting Google Maps – an Australian first – providing residents in Douglas and the Fraser Coast with immediate warnings on flooded roads, hazards and safer detours.
FloodMapp’s CEO and co-founder Juliette Murphy said Australia has been slow to adopt advanced flood forecasting tools, despite the growing threat. “Flood events are volatile situations where water can rise to threatening levels in a matter of minutes.
“Supported by Help Fund, we are pleased to offer councils subsidised access to FloodMapp’s Prepare Solution for 12 months, removing the cost barrier that has limited uptake by local governments.
“We lose lives every year to floods, often because people become trapped on flooded roads. These incidents can be reduced with the accuracy and speed our modelling provides.”
Earlier this year the Mossman River in Far North Queensland peaked at 7.14 metres, just below the 7.2 metres major flood stage. When flooding began affecting the road, FloodMapp automatically issued hazard alerts warning drivers a flooded road was ahead.
As the depth increased past the safety threshold, the alert escalated to a road closure and drivers were rerouted before reaching dangerous water.
“Our flood impact prediction technology gives real-time information about what’s happening before, during and after heavy rain, storm surge and flash flooding. This enables live alerts on the road, helping emergency services councils and local residents work together more effectively,” Murphy added.
With a long history of helping communities before and after extreme weather events, NRMA Insurance is proud to be backing the local changemakers working to safeguard Australia’s future.
“As communities across Australia face an increasingly uncertain climate future, initiatives like Help Fund show how collaboration and innovation can help turn risk into resilience and strengthen community preparedness,” said Batch.
Read more about the NRMA Insurance Help Fund and the climate smart innovation it’s supporting here.
