Commission of Inquiry into the 2010-11 Queensland floods
Encyclopedia
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. 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. The final report was initially due on the 17 January 2012. This was extended into February due to the quantity of material which has to be processed and analysed. The deadline for submissions was extended to 15 June to allow for submissions related to insurance companies to be included.
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. The report states that 59% of the downstream flooding was caused by water releases from the dam.
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.
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
Premier Anna Bligh
Anna Bligh
Anna Maria Bligh is an Australian politician and the Premier of Queensland since 2007. The 2009 Queensland state election was the first time a female-led political party won or retained state or federal government in Australia...
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. 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. The final report was initially due on the 17 January 2012. This was extended into February due to the quantity of material which has to be processed and analysed. The deadline for submissions was extended to 15 June to allow for submissions related to insurance companies to be included.
The Commission asked independent hydrological expert Mark Babister to investigate the operation of Wivenhoe Dam
Wivenhoe Dam
Wivenhoe Dam is a dam across the Brisbane River a little way upstream from Locker Creek. The dam creates the artificial Lake Wivenhoe. The dam wall is located about by road from the centre of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia....
during the flood period. He found the operators had achieved nearly the best possible flood mitigation
Flood mitigation
Flood mitigation involves managing the effects of flooding, such as redirecting flood run-off, rather than trying to prevent it altogether. It is management of people, through measures such as evacuation and dry/wet proofing properties for example....
effort. The report states that 59% of the downstream flooding was caused by water releases from the dam.
Interim report
An interim report was handed down on 1 August 2011. This report focused on flood preparedness issues so that any appropriate steps may be taken before the next wet season. The 250-page document contained more than 150 recommendations.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.