Following January’s thunder and lightning shows, we’re reminded that we have commenced ‘severe storm season’ in North Queensland. This time of year, January through March, is when we’re most likely to experience cyclones or torrential rain. It’s also a reminder that not every property is severe storm proof. How vulnerable is your home?  

When it comes to protecting your property from severe storm damage, do you know how resilient your property is?

Often, vulnerable spots will only reveal themselves during intense weather. Spots like louvres, sliding doors, and roofs will only let rain in when forced by strong winds. So how do you know if you are vulnerable? How can you prepare against a threat you aren’t aware exists?

 

 

“If you have $10,000 to spend on property maintenance, wouldn’t you rather spend it on something you know is going to give you more value?”

 

 

The NQ Strata Title Inspection Program is an engineering-based non-invasive inspection and assessment, based on JCU’s cyclone testing station’s 40 years of damage assessment. It is funded by the Federal Government – meaning it’s free to strata title property owners – is administered by the Queensland Government, and independently developed and deployed by James Cook University.

The assessment process is non-invasive (meaning we don’t lift off roofs or cause any potential damage to your property), we simply look at the design of your property, the types of construction products used like windows, doors and gutters, and the surrounding elements that could play a part in damaging your home, such as trees, sheds and fencing.

We are looking at five different areas of resilience:

1. Wind resilience – If strong winds fling debris at your home, how well will your home’s roof and wall cladding, flashings, gutters, windows, doors and garage doors withstand it? 

2. Rain resilience – Will strong winds force rain into your home? This could be through louvres, sliding doors or roofs.

3. Surge resilience – Is your property vulnerable to rising seawater or surging stormwater that can occur during cyclones and severe storms? (Please note, this is different to flood waters.)

4. Resilience of building ancillary items – Will your property’s ancillary items such as air-conditioning units, solar panels or hot water systems be damaged during cyclones or severe storms?

5. Grounds resilience – Can items on the grounds separate to your main building withstand wind and severe storm tide forces? Here we look at structures like playground equipment, trampolines, fencing, trees and sheds and whether, if moved by forceful weather, could damage the main building.

Strata title property owners haven’t really had any free support like this before. This assessment is really useful feedback for property owners to identify how to best protect their properties, or even whether to replace an item when the time comes. For example, the type of louvre or sliding doors your home has may not be particularly resilient to wind driven rain, so when it comes time to replace the that item you might choose to replace it with a more resilient product. If you have $10,000 to spend on property maintenance, wouldn’t you rather spend it on something you know is going to give you more value? This free assessment is an educational tool to help property owners plan ahead.

We encourage strata title property owners to follow the link to find out more about the program, register with us and better understand how resilient your property is against severe storms.

In the north, we are somewhat used to cyclones. Many people have storm kits, with batteries, radios, torches and water. With a cyclone warning we stock up on food and petrol. This free testing is a really proactive way of minimising the risk of damage to your property during a severe storm. 

 

Is my property eligible?

Strata title properties are those such as units or townhouses connected by common areas such as driveways or gardens. Your property does not need to be under body corporate management. 

 

Where is this free program offered?

Inspections are offered free of charge for strata title properties in North Queensland within 100 km of the coast, down to the southernmost boundary of the Rockhampton Regional council area. It extends to the Queensland/Northern Territory border, and includes islands off the Queensland coast. 

 

How do I register?

Registrations close April 2021. To sign up a property for the program, please register at stp1.hpc.jcu.edu.au