IGEM Report 1: 2017-18 - THE CYCLONE DEBBIE REVIEW

The Cyclone Debbie Review

The weather of Queensland’s summer months in early 2017 had been relatively benign. In late March 2017 a tropical low in the Coral Sea formed into a cyclone that the Bureau named Debbie. Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie crossed the coast in the Whitsunday area on Tuesday 28 March 2017. The impacts of this slow-moving weather system were immediately felt by the communities around the Whitsundays and Mackay. Over the coming days, strong winds and torrential rain resulted in significant damage to homes, infrastructure and agriculture across numerous local government areas. Major flooding isolated or impacted many communities. By the night of Thursday 30 March, Debbie’s rainfall in the south east corner of Queensland led to rapid-onset flooding affecting communities within the Scenic Rim, Gold Coast and Logan council areas. As Debbie continued her track south into Northern New South Wales, Queensland’s Disaster Management System moved from response into recovery for the state’s affected communities. The role of communities at the forefront of disasters is clearly communicated in the Queensland Disaster Management Strategic Policy Statement of 2016. One of the key objectives is to “Empower and support local communities to manage disaster risks, respond to events and be more resilient” . 2 The Queensland Government is keen there is a robust approach to continuous improvement across all aspects of disaster management in Queensland, importantly, ensuring that the expectations of Queensland communities are met. This report examines how the Queensland Disaster Management System prepared for, responded to and provided early relief and recovery to those impacted by Debbie. Views of impacted communities have been taken into account in this review. Its findings form part of the approach by the Queensland Government, in partnership with communities, non- government organisations and businesses, to continue to reduce disaster risk and strengthen resilience.

The Queensland Government has also committed to ensuring improvement strategies focus on responsive, coordinated and integrated government services. Ultimately, these will encourage safer and inclusive communities. Role of the Inspector-General Emergency Management The Minister for Police, Fire and Emergency Services and Minister for Corrective Services tasked the Inspector-General Emergency Management to undertake this review to: • provide assurance that there is a robust approach to continuous improvement across all aspects of the disaster management system in Queensland • ensure that lessons from these events are captured, that common themes for improvement are identified, and that the sharing of good practice is enabled, and • ensure that any issues that have arisen during Debbie are fully understood, and improvement strategies identified. Section 16C of the Disaster Management Act 2003 provides the Office of the Inspector-General Emergency Management (the Office) with the authority to undertake this review. Our functions include: • to review and assess the effectiveness of disaster management in the state, including the State Disaster Management Plan (SDMP) and its implementation, • to regularly review and assess the effectiveness of disaster

Introduction

management by district groups and local groups, including district and local disaster management plans, and • to regularly review and assess the cooperation between entities responsible for disaster management in the state, including whether the disaster management systems and procedures employed by those entities are compatible and consistent.

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2 INTRODUCTION

Role of the Inspector-General Emergency Management