On 12 October 2016 I was appointed as the Review Lead Investigator to coordinate the Independent Government Review Team tasked with undertaking a strategic review of the June floods which affected many Tasmanian communities and businesses. The Review is also having regard to the July floods in Huonville.
The Review called for public and private submissions and was advertised in each regional newspaper in Tasmania in October. Over 50 submissions have been received to date from affected home owners, farmers, Government Agencies and various Non-Government Organisations.
The Review Team has conducted a number of face-to-face interviews with Emergency Management responders, affected Councils and Government Agencies contributing to response and recovery activities. Interviews focussed on the Review’s terms of reference. In addition, in December the Review Team toured some of the affected areas in the North and Northwest of Tasmania where damaged roads, bridges and farmland are still very evident.
The Review Team is continuing to investigate and research the issues and is planning further face-to face meetings with the public and other relevant parties in early 2017.
More information and copies of the submissions can be found on the DPAC website at: http://www.dpac.tas.gov.au/government_flood_review
or by contacting Mr Brian Edmonds on (03) 6166 4324 or brian.edmonds@ses.tas.gov.au.
The final report with recommendations is scheduled to be presented to Government by 1 June 2017.