A web-GIS and landslide database for South West Victoria and its application to landslide zonation
- Authors: Dahlhaus, Peter , Miner, Anthony , MacLeod, Andrew , Thompson, Helen
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian geomechanics Vol. 46, no. 2 (2012), p. 203-209
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Australian Geomechanics Society's (AGS) guidelines on Landslide Risk Management emphasise landslide zonation as a key requirement for regulators dealing with landslide risk (AGS 2007a). The basis for zonation is a landslide inventory which reflects the nature and spatial distribution of landslide types in a particular locale, such as a local government area. This paper describes the design and implementation of a web-based landslide database for south west Victoria aimed at disseminating landslide inventory information to regulators. consultants and the general public. Although the 4,581 mapped landslides represent the most complete and extensive data set for the region, the current data quality and resolution does not meet the AGS guideline for landslide zonation at the municipal planning scale. However, with an essential need for landslide planning controls in this region, the data is the best available for the construction of zonat ion maps, resulting in conservative boundaries at the required map scale. The paper highlights the ongoing need to improve the spatial extent and quality of the landslide database if the statutory planning zonation maps are ultimately to comply with the AGS guidelines.
Interpretation and misinterpretation of warning signage : Perceptions of rockfalls in a naturalistic setting
- Authors: Aucote, Helen , Miner, Anthony , Dahlhaus, Peter
- Date: 2012
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Psychology, Health and Medicine Vol. 17, no. 5 (2012), p. 522-529
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The aim of the present study was to investigate the factors relating to non-adherence to warning signs about falling rocks from coastal cliff faces. Face-to-face interviews (n=62) in a naturalistic setting (in the vicinity of a high-risk rockfall area) were conducted to investigate attention to and comprehension of warning signs, as well as beliefs relating to non-adherence of the signage. It was found that, while most participants could correctly identify the danger in the area and had noticed the warning signage, less than half of the participants could correctly interpret the signage. The perception of danger did not differ significantly between the participants who had, or had not, entered the high-risk zone. Differences in knowledge and beliefs between local residents and visitors to the area were identified. It was concluded that the warning signs did not provide enough detail for people to make informed decisions about safe behaviours. Comprehension of the signage may have been hampered by a lack of prior-knowledge of the particular risk, a failure to think carefully about the situation (i.e. low-effort processing), and the pictorial representation on the signs misleading the participants as to the true danger. © 2012 Copyright Taylor and Francis Group, LLC.
The implementation of the AGS guidelines in the Colac Otway Shire – history and challenges
- Authors: Marsden, P , Miner, Anthony , Dahlhaus, Peter
- Date: 2011
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian geomechanics Vol. 46, no. 2 (June 2011), p. 211-218
- Full Text: false
- Reviewed:
- Description: The Australian Geomechanics Society's (AGS) guidelines on Landslide Risk Management emphasise landslide zonation as a key requirement for regulators dealing with landslide risk (AGS 2007a). The basis for zonation is a landslide inventory which reflects the nature and spatial distribution of landslide types in a particular locale, such as a local government area. This paper describes the design and implementation of a web-based landslide database for south west Victoria aimed at disseminating landslide inventory information to regulators, consultants and the general public. Although the 4,581 mapped landslides represent the most complete and extensive data set for the region, the current data quality and resolution does not meet the AGS guideline for landslide zonation at the municipal planning scale. However, with an essential need for landslide planning controls in this region, the data is the best available for the construction of zonation maps, resulting in conservative boundaries at the required map scale. The paper highlights the ongoing need to improve the spatial extent and quality of the landslide database if the statutory planning zonation maps are ultimately to comply with the AGS guidelines.
Rockfalls : Predicting high-risk behaviour from beliefs
- Authors: Aucote, Helen , Miner, Anthony , Dahlhaus, Peter
- Date: 2010
- Type: Journal article
- Relation: Disaster Prevention and Management Vol. 19, no. 1 (2010), p. 20-31
- Full Text:
- Reviewed:
- Description: Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to gain an understanding of the public's beliefs, attitudes and knowledge regarding rockfalls, and to see whether these variables could predict whether a person is likely to enter high-risk rockfall areas. Design/methodology/approach – A questionnaire was developed to measure beliefs (informed by the health belief model), knowledge, and previous behaviour in relation to rockfalls. Questions were also included to measure attitudes regarding rockfall caution signs. In total, 138 members of the general public completed the questionnaire. Findings – High-risk behaviour was more likely if the person was male and if the person had the belief that sign-posted high-risk areas were not dangerous. Further, believing that the sign-posted areas were not dangerous was more likely among people who held negative attitudes towards cautionary signs; specifically, these participants were more likely to doubt the validity of the warning signs. Research limitations/implications – The research was exploratory in nature. Further research should be conducted with a larger sample size and a more random selection of the general population. Ways of improving measurement of the variables are discussed. Practical implications – Efforts should be made to increase the public's perception of the validity of rockfall cautionary signs. Doing so may decrease injury and death as a result of rockfalls. Suggestions on ways to increase the validity of signage are made. Originality/value – It is presumed that this study is the first to attempt to gain an understanding of the beliefs and attitudes that may lead a person into engaging in high-risk behaviour in relation to rockfalls.
Coastal rock fall hazard identification, Barwon Heads, Victoria
- Authors: Dahlhaus, Peter , Muller, B. , Miner, Anthony
- Date: 2006
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Geomechanics Journal Vol. 41, no. 3 (2006), p. 85-91
- Full Text:
- Description: C1
- Description: 2003002060
Implementing the AGS landslide risk management guidelines in a municipal planning scheme : A case study in the Colac Otway Shire, Victoria
- Authors: Dahlhaus, Peter , Miner, Anthony
- Date: 2002
- Type: Text , Journal article
- Relation: Australian Geomechanics Journal Vol. 37, no. 2 (2002), p. 199-211
- Full Text:
- Description: 2003003866