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

Inspector-General Emergency Management

Planning for transition to recovery The Interim State Recovery Plan sets out disaster recovery governance, preparedness, planning and operations arrangements for the 2016-17 disaster season. The mission from the Debbie recovery plan, Operation Queensland Recovery , sums up the planning approach: “Queensland Government will work with local governments and communities to facilitate locally led efforts to recover, reconnect and rebuild stronger communities following the impacts of STC Debbie.” 94 Recovery groups were activated early, while response was still happening or, in the case of Rockhampton, even before the flood peak had arrived. The DCCSDS representative at the Rockhampton district debrief suggested local recovery was more efficiently conducted compared to previous events because the prior planning and preparation was done well. Recovery hubs were initially the only places for the community to go, and this impacted their capacity to deliver recovery-focused services. An acknowledgement that this will be inevitable when there is no power or telecommunications may assist future planning. Referrals from the hubs to other community-based agencies and established groups did happen in some places, and helped support on-going recovery. The state’s proactive approach was welcomed in places. Yet some closely involved in the recovery process had reservations about the quick transition from recovery planning to its implementation, finding benefits for the community in allowing time for resilience. Others recognised the importance of the National Recovery Principles, which emphasise that recovery should seek

In the past, local groups were activated according to the severity of the cyclone. However, experience from events such as Tropical Cyclone Marcia in 2015, resulted in activation triggers set according to the weather system’s proximity to the coast. In practice, this meant the Whitsunday local group “leant forward” while the system was still a tropical low, allowing much more time for the group, aged care facilities, island resorts and the community to prepare before Debbie made landfall. Moreton Bay Regional Council (MBRC) was well prepared with technical specialists and data. Flood data and modelling information was made available and actively used. Information was also available to the community from the MBRC website. Generators were checked and mobile generators deployed. Sand and sandbag stations opened. The LDCC activated on the morning of Wednesday 29 March, 24 hours before the heaviest rain in the south east. Its Human and So- cial Recovery Group “leaned forward” on the same day. Ipswich’s four activations for flooding over the last seven years, good local intelligence, and stability of staff and council gave it much knowledge and experience. We heard and saw a convincing case for its strong internal capability in prediction and planning. During Debbie, the local group planned for, but did not implement, contingencies for a worst-case scenario, should the intense rain have fallen 50 kilometres further west. Ipswich has its own targeted messaging system, designed to keep appropriate parts of the community informed, without alarming others. An evacuation centre was capable of being opened in three hours. The Deputy Local Disaster Coordinator summed up council’s preparedness:

Themes

“We have a whole heap of tools we can use, we use the most relevant at that time.”

to address the needs of all affected communities, and do so flexibly as they change. 95

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The Cyclone Debbie Review

Lessons for delivering value and confidence through trust and empowerment