Three innovative, forward-thinking teams’ ideas to make Australia safer and more resilient to natural hazards were announced as finalists for the 2025 Disaster Challenge today.
The Disaster Challenge is a national challenge for early-career researchers, postgraduate and undergraduate students across Australia to tackle real-world problems facing the emergency services and resilience sector.
The teams will pitch their innovative ideas and solutions for this year’s wicked problem to a panel of disaster management experts at the pitch fest final in Hobart in October.
Prof Cheryl Desha, Natural Hazards Research Australia’s Science and Innovation Director, believes this year's entrants are among the most innovative in the Disaster Challenge’s four years.
“This year, we’ve asked entrants how we can innovate our infrastructure — physical, social, green and other types of infrastructure, community and place — to enable effective and affordable community-led place-based disaster resilience?” Cheryl said.
Meet the three entries that rose to this challenge and have been selected for the 2025 Disaster Challenge final:
A digital twin for real time flood insights – Ryan Turner (RMIT University)
With Australia facing more frequent and intense flooding, data-driven solutions are essential. This concept proposes a digital twin for urban floods: an interactive 3D model that integrates real-time data to inform flood response strategies and enhance community awareness. By visualising flood impacts dynamically, this solution aims to build both physical and social resilience.
Thriving coastal futures in southern Tasmania – Dr Malcolm S. Johnson (Huon Valley Council), Bianca Suarez (Australian National University), Edith Shum (University of Tasmania), Kianna Gallagher (University of Tasmania), Hevi Kurnia Hardini (Australian Maritime College), Rosie Katunar (Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania) *all affiliated with the Centre for Marine Socioecology
This project empowers the Garden Island Sands community to manage coastal erosion through an integrated approach where locally-led nature-based solutions strengthen social wellbeing and improved governance. This Tasmanian pilot leverages innovative partnerships between Council and communities to develop novel infrastructure adaptation, creating a replicable model for coastal community resilience nationwide.
From verge to vital: People-powered green spaces for climate and disaster resilience – Evelyn Liew, Anjalee Panditha, Sebastian Bernal Garcia (Griffith University)
This idea transforms underused public spaces into smart, nature-based infrastructure that reduces disaster risks like floods and fires. Co-designed with communities and Indigenous groups, the solution uses native plants, smart technology and local stewardship to protect people and ecosystems, fostering safer, greener and more connected rural Australian communities.
“These entries stood out to the judging panel for their ingenuity, community focus and potential for real-world impact,” Cheryl said.
What’s next?
Over the next three months, the three team finalists will receive mentoring and support from Natural Hazards Research Australia and its network of universities and emergency management organisations to further develop their ideas and refine their presentation skills.
These finalist concepts will be showcased at the Disaster Challenge final in Hobart, Tasmania on 14 October 2025 to mark the UN International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction.
The Disaster Challenge final is a public event — stay tuned to Natural Hazards Research Australia’s website, sign up to our newsletter and social media for more information on how to register and get involved.