The views and experiences of community members, businesses and tourist operators are being sought as part of a review underway into recent bushfire events on K’gari (Fraser Island).

Inspector-General Emergency Management (IGEM), Alistair Dawson APM announced the community forums would be held to inform IGEM’s review into the preparedness and response to the bushfire events.

As part of the review, the Office has been tasked to examine the effectiveness of preparedness activities and the response to the K’gari bushfire event by entities responsible for managing the island and bushfire and disaster management in Queensland.

The review will consider the island’s cultural and environmental significance and consolidate observations, insights, findings and recommendations from previous bushfire reviews undertaken by the Office, in addition to the final report of the Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements.

In conducting the review, the Office will ensure good practice and opportunities for improvement are highlighted in the report. A copy of the review’s terms of reference is available for download here.

“We are seeking feedback from community members, business and tourist operators and interest parties about what they thought worked well and any opportunities for improvement to ensure we have the best possible disaster management arrangements in place,” Mr Dawson said.

“It’s vital the review hears from those people who can speak first-hand about their own experiences and reflections.

“The forums will focus on the review’s terms of reference and will also consider the cultural and environmental significance of the island.

“We’ll also be looking to consolidate observations, insights, findings and recommendations from previous bushfire reviews and the recent Royal Commission into National Natural Disaster Arrangements.”

Forums with a community, business and tourism industry focus were held on K’gari at Orchid Beach, Happy Valley and Kingfisher Bay and in Hervey Bay from 19-21 January with a final forum for Rainbow Beach scheduled for Thursday 4 February.  

The Office will work closely with local, state and federal agencies, First Nations people and other relevant stakeholders to obtain information to assist in the review. Public submissions have now closed. The Office’s report will be provided by 31 March 2021 to the Minister for Police and Corrective Services, and Minister for Fire and Emergency Services.