- Commission of Inquiry into the 2010-11 Queensland floods
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The Commission of Inquiry into the Queensland floods is an Australian inquiry set up by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deadly 2010-2011 Queensland floods. The independent Inquiry will be headed by Justice Cate Holmes and is expected to cost A$15 million.[1] Holmes will examine the disaster, government preparedness and the emergency response.
The Inquiry will be able to summon witnesses, demand documents and issue search warrants.[1] The final report was initially due on the 17 January 2012.[2] This was extended into February due to the quantity of material which has to be processed and analysed.[3] The deadline for submissions was extended to 15 June to allow for submissions related to insurance companies to be included.[3]
The Commission asked independent hydrological expert Mark Babister to investigate the operation of Wivenhoe Dam during the flood period. He found the operators had achieved nearly the best possible flood mitigation effort.[4] The report states that 59% of the downstream flooding was caused by water releases from the dam.
Contents
Interim report
An interim report was handed down on 1 August 2011.[3] This report focused on flood preparedness issues so that any appropriate steps may be taken before the next wet season.[5] The 250-page document contained more than 150 recommendations.[6]
Justice Holmes described the Wivenhoe Dam's operating manual as "a bit of a mess" and that the dam should be temporarily reduced to 75% capacity if an extremely wet season is forecast.[6][7]
See also
- 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission
References
- ^ a b Daniel Hurst (17 January 2011). "Premier launches flood inquiry". Brisbane Times (Fairfax Media). http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/weather/premier-launches-flood-inquiry-20110117-19toc.html. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
- ^ "Queensland's flood inquiry: the terms of reference". Brisbane Times (Fairfax Media). 17 January 2011. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/environment/weather/queenslands-flood-inquiry-the-terms-of-reference-20110117-19tv7.html. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
- ^ a b c Maria Hatzakis (27 May 2011). "Inquiry extends time for flood victims' insurance submissions". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/05/27/3228459.htm. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
- ^ Kym Agius (28 July 2011). "Report backs dam engineers". Brisbane Times (Fairfax Media). http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/report-backs-dam-engineers-20110728-1i23k.html. Retrieved 4 August 2011.
- ^ Daniel Hurst (1 August 2011). "Queensland flood inquiry to release first report today". Brisbane Times (Fairfax Media). http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queensland-flood-inquiry-to-release-first-report-today-20110729-1i416.html. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
- ^ a b "Flood inquiry calls for lowering of dam level". ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). 1 August 2011. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-08-01/dam-level-reduction-recommended-in-flood-inquiry-report/2819452. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
- ^ Ursula Skjonnemand (1 August 2011). "Flood inquiry valuable and thorough: dam expert". ABC Brisbane (Australian Broadcasting Corporation). http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2011/08/01/3282782.htm?site=brisbane. Retrieved 1 August 2011.
External links
Categories:- 2010–2011 Queensland floods
- Australian royal commissions
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