CYCLONE TESTING STATION ABOUT

The Cyclone Testing Station was founded in response to the destruction caused by Cyclone Althea to Townsville in 1971 and Cyclone Tracy to Darwin in 1974. The Station’s strategic location in Townsville has enabled it to serve not only Australia and North Queensland but also most other cyclone prone regions throughout the world.

Significant advancements have been made in Australia regarding the enhancement of homes and buildings’ structural strength against severe windstorms. However, despite these efforts, research surveys, insurance claims, and the recovery period, among other factors, show that the built environment and our communities are not resilient. Severe weather occurrences, such as wind, rain, and hail, are becoming more frequent and affecting more heavily and emerging populated areas. This leads to significant losses for governments, communities, and individual households.

The Station operates as an independent research and consulting unit within the School of Engineering at James Cook University (JCU), Townsville. While the Station relies on the JCU School of Engineering for accommodation and use of structural engineering facilities it is otherwise self-funded. The Station is guided by an advisory board drawn from a mix of industry, government, research, and professionals from around Australia. This unique situation allows the Station to follow its research objectives and to provide independent expert advice to clients.