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

The Cyclone Debbie Review

In any disaster, access to communications, power, and clean water are critical enablers of recovery. The state’s arrangements, through the SDCG, now reach providers of these utilities directly. Energy Queensland’s two electricity distributors – Energex and Ergon – along with Telstra, Optus, and the dam operators, SunWater and Seqwater are included as standing invitees, complementing their associated departments. Depending on the event, the importance of agencies’ roles change. In a cyclone, Technology and Innovation (DSITI) works with the Bureau to provide storm tide and wave height information and expertise. 13 In a flood, the Bureau’s flood forecasting service, now based on forecast rainfall, in addition to actual rainfall, is much in demand. The effects of flooding – how waters will affect people and local infrastructure – is managed by local governments, and relies on locally commissioned flood studies to aid land use planning and decisions in disaster operations. 14 The Department of Energy and Water Supply (DEWS), ensures both that dam owners operate their infrastructure according to revised regulations, and that the concerns and reporting of energy providers are heard in the right quarter. The QRA plays a major part in recovery. Recovery Policy and Planning Coordinator, sits on QDMC, and its staff are members of SDCG. Together, they stand ready to oversee the effective delivery of relief and immediate recovery operations, ensure the efficient transition from response to recovery, and that recovery activities provide the best outcomes for Queenslanders. State-level coordination of disaster operations in Queensland happens in the State Disaster Coordination Centre (SDCC) at Kedron. During events the SDCG is based there. The Centre also hosts many QDMC meetings and press briefings. The building provides appropriate accommodation and technology for all those – largely from Police and Fire and Emergency Services – activated there. A meteorologist from the Bureau has been in place since 2014. the Coastal Sciences division of the Department of Science, Information Its Chief Executive Officer (CEO), permanently appointed as the State

The role of the SDCC is to provide a single point of truth about the current state of an event, ensuring accurate, timely and relevant information is available to the QDMC (via the SDC) and to district groups and Local Disaster Management Groups (LDMG or local group). It aims to do this through strong engagement and leadership supported by contemporary processes and systems. The SDCC also ensures appropriate information is passed on to the public. 15 Public messaging in disasters is important. Agency media teams can come under particular pressure. To relieve this and ensure commonality of messaging, the Crisis Communication Network (CCN) – a whole-of-government communication network – may be activated in times of crisis to deliver coordinated and consistent messaging, and ensure appropriate sharing of resources. The Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) chairs and provides secretariat support for the Network. Through a Critical Incident Reserve Pool, trained staff from across government are able to be deployed to support the Public Information Cell of the SDCC. In 2015, for example, members of the pool supported operations when the SDCC was activated in response to Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia. 16 Preparation and readiness of the system is the remit, under the Act, of the Chief Executive – the Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES) Commissioner. The Commissioner is responsible for ensuring:

Underlying precepts

• that arrangements with the Commonwealth about disaster management are established. • that disaster management and disaster operations in the state are consistent with the state group’s strategic policy framework; and disaster management plans, standards and guidelines, • that those performing disaster operations functions are appropriately trained, and • that advice and support is given to QDMC as well as local and district groups about disaster management and disaster operations.

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3 UNDERLYING PRECEPTS

What the System set out to achieve