Preparedness and vulnerability: an issue of equity in Australian disaster situations

The character and severity of impacts from natural disasters depends not only on the particular disaster but also on exposure and vulnerability. This study examined preparedness for a natural disaster and financial capacity in four regional Australian communities which had experienced climate extremes: Innisfail (cyclone) and Ingham (flood) in Queensland and Beechworth (fire) and Bendigo (drought) in Victoria. The study employed a quantitative design using a survey (1008 respondents) across the four communities as well as demographic statistics about each community. The key findings showed that preparedness was primarily linked to an individual's financial capacity (defined by their capacity to meet the costs of the event) and their insurance cover for the event's damage. It is clear therefore that there are critical issues of equity when examining preparedness for disaster.