City of Gold Coast will give 40 homeowners free resilience assessments under a partnership with the Resilient Building Council.  

The assessments – to be carried out by James Cook University Cyclone Testing Station experts later this year – mark stage one of the council’s Household Resilience Ratings Program. 

The second stage will allow 1000 homeowners to take part in a self-assessment program and identify where improvements can be made.  

Mayor Tom Tate says as natural hazard risks rise, so does the “need for proactive action”.  

He says with the information provided, experts will provide tailored resilience rating reports showing how homes perform against various hazards and which upgrades will work best.  

“This program does two things,” Cr Tate said. “Firstly, it provides individuals with the information they need to strengthen and prepare their homes against natural hazards.  

“Secondly, it gives us a clearer picture of the state of our city in terms of residential property preparedness and resilience, and how likely they are to withstand different event types.”  

He says properties most at risk from natural hazards will be favoured for assessments.  

Applications for stage one are open until next Monday. Expressions of interest for stage two open next March.  

See more information here.