Australia has strengthened its support for disaster preparedness in Papua New Guinea with the handover of specialist earthquake monitoring equipment under the LaeShakeAware project.
The equipment was transported from Australia aboard Australian Defence Vessel (ADV) Reliant and formally handed over at Lae Port on Saturday, 7 August, in a move aimed at strengthening Papua New Guinea’s ability to monitor, understand and respond to earthquake hazards.
The new equipment will support a community-based seismic monitoring network, providing more timely local information following earthquake events and helping disaster authorities better assess impacts and prioritise assistance.
The initiative is particularly focused on Morobe Province, one of Papua New Guinea’s areas exposed to seismic activity, while also contributing to broader national disaster preparedness efforts.
LaeShakeAware is funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and led by Geoscience Australia in partnership with the Papua New Guinea University of Technology (PNGUoT), the Mineral Resources Authority, the Morobe Provincial Disaster Office and local communities.
The project aims to strengthen earthquake monitoring, disaster preparedness and community safety by connecting scientific data with local decision-making and community response.
Australia’s Consul-General in Lae, Brenton Kanowski, said the equipment handover demonstrated Australia’s commitment to working alongside Papua New Guinea to strengthen resilience against natural hazards.
“Papua New Guinea is one of the most seismically active countries in the world. Through LaeShakeAware, Australia is supporting PNG institutions and communities with the tools, knowledge and partnerships needed to better understand earthquake risk and respond effectively when disasters occur,” Kanowski said.
The project is also expected to strengthen local technical and scientific capacity, including opportunities for PNG researchers and future scientists to develop expertise in earthquake monitoring and disaster risk reduction.
Vice Chancellor of the Papua New Guinea University of Technology, Professor Ora Rengai OL OBE, welcomed the handover and highlighted the importance of collaboration between universities, government agencies, communities and technical partners.
“This LaeShakeAware initiative demonstrates what can be achieved when universities, government agencies, communities and technical partners work together,” Professor Rengai said.
He said the equipment would strengthen the university’s research and monitoring capabilities while supporting the development of future PNG scientists.
The initiative is part of Australia’s wider support for disaster risk management in Papua New Guinea through Geoscience Australia, which works with PNG institutions to improve technical capability and access to scientific information that can support safer and more resilient communities.
The arrival of ADV Reliant in Lae also comes as Australia continues broader engagement with Papua New Guinea.
HMAS Leeuwin recently arrived in Lae to support joint activities involving the Papua New Guinea Defence Force (PNGDF) and Australian Defence Force (ADF).
Together, the engagements highlight the breadth of cooperation between the two countries, extending from disaster preparedness and scientific capability to security and resilience.
The LaeShakeAware project is expected to play an important role in strengthening Papua New Guinea’s ability to prepare for and respond to earthquakes by bringing together science, technology, government decision-making and community knowledge.
For Morobe Province and communities vulnerable to seismic hazards, the improved monitoring capability could provide critical information when earthquakes occur, helping authorities make faster and better-informed decisions during emergencies.
Australia and Papua New Guinea have maintained a long-standing partnership focused on strengthening institutions, supporting safer communities and building resilience to natural hazards.
Through LaeShakeAware, that partnership is now being translated into practical tools and local expertise aimed at reducing earthquake risk and improving preparedness across Papua New Guinea.
