More than 100 local jobs have been created by the deployment of a fleet of five mobile disaster response units as Suncorp has opened a regional hub in Townsville, north Queensland.
The company says this multi-million-dollar investment underscores Suncorp’s commitment to enhancing resilience and accelerating support for communities in the face of worsening extreme weather events.
Suncorp CEO Steve Johnston inaugurated the new Suncorp Regional Hub in Townsville’s CBD, confirming the recruitment for 120 additional local people was underway.
The new location has been equipped to transform into a satellite disaster response hub, integrated with Suncorp’s state-of-the-art Disaster Management Centre in Brisbane.
The company claims this advanced capability in north Queensland will allow for greater insights and communication with local customers and stakeholders during severe weather events.
Additionally, one of Suncorp’s five new mobile disaster response units will be permanently stationed in Townsville, ready for immediate deployment.
These self-sufficient hubs are designed to provide on-the-ground support to impacted communities, ensuring rapid assistance for customers in the aftermath of a severe weather event.
"They significantly enhance our ability to mobilise faster, reach more customers sooner and provide critical support before, during and after major weather events,” Johnston said.
He believes the impact of the 2019 Townsville floods was a stark reminder of the need for greater disaster preparedness in the region.
“The devastating 2019 floods saw more than 9,200 Suncorp claims, highlighting the immense impact of these events on our communities, with further devastation seen in recent years from Tropical Cyclone Jasper in December 2023 and from north Queensland’s Tropical Low in February this year,” he said.
“The opening of the Regional Hub is an investment the future of north Queensland so we can be on the ground, offering real-time insights and support.
“Along with the creation of stable, local jobs, we’re not only strengthening Suncorp’s operational capacity but also contributing directly to the region’s economic growth and workforce development.”