Can Australia do natural disaster planning better?

With an annual cycle of bushfires, cyclones and floods coupled with a prosperous and stable economy, Australia features among the world's top 10 for economic damage caused by natural disasters. And as large parts of the country battle fires and floods, experts say it's time to start planning better for future extreme weather events, to reduce the loss of lives and property in years to come.

Floodwaters are seen at Aplins Weir in Townsville. (AAP Image/Andrew Rankin) Source: AAP