Transcript of Proceedings Issued subject to correction upon revision. THE HONOURABLE JUSTICE C HOLMES, Commissioner MR JAMES O'SULLIVAN AC, Deputy Commissioner MR PHILLIP CUMMINS, Deputy Commissioner MR P CALLAGHAN SC, Counsel Assisting MS E WILSON, Counsel Assisting IN THE MATTER OF THE COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ACT 1950 COMMISSIONS OF INQUIRY ORDER (No. 1) 2011 QUEENSLAND FLOODS COMMISSION OF INQUIRY DALBY ..DATE 20/04/2011 ..DAY 9 688 Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry, GPO Box 1738, Brisbane Q 4001 Email: [email protected] 20042011 D9T1/KHW QUEENSLAND FLOODS COMMISSION OF INQUIRY THE COMMISSION RESUMED AT 10.00 A.M. AT DALBY 1 COMMISSIONER: Yes, Ms Wilson? MR URE: Excuse me. If it please the Commission, my name is Ure, U-R-E, initials S N. I am instructed by King & Co Solicitors, and I appear on behalf of the Local Government Association of the Queensland on behalf of the Western Downs 10 Regional Council. COMMISSIONER: Thanks, Mr Ure. MS WILSON: Would you like us to announce our appearances, Madam Commissioner? COMMISSIONER: I don't think it's necessary. There are no other changes. I will simply put that on the record. That's right, isn't it? 20 MS WILSON: Yes. Thank you, Madam Commissioner. The Queensland Flood Commission of Inquiry is sitting today in the Western Downs Regional Council Chambers in Dalby. The Western Downs Regional Council is among the 20 largest councils in Queensland. It is amalgamation of the previous local government shires of Chinchilla, Murilla, Tara, Wambo, Taroom and the Dalby Town Council, also encompassing the towns of Jandowae, Miles, Wandoan and the Condamine, amongst many others. 30 Major flooding occurred across this region from 21 December to 17 January 2011. The Western Downs region was declared a disaster situation on 28 December 2010 and this was also extended again on the 11th of January 2011. There were at least seven different floods throughout the Western Downs, spanning December 2010 and January 2011. This flooding caused extensive damage to property, livestock and infrastructure throughout this region. Hundreds evacuated from their homes and had to deal with the impact of the disaster. 40 The first flooding event in Dalby occurred on December 27 2010, and at various times throughout the weeks that followed evacuation centres throughout this district assisted Dalby residents and evacuees from the greater Western Downs. The Dalby Water Treatment Plant was flooded on two occasions, causing the water supply of Dalby to be compromised and requiring water to be delivered to residents in bottled form. 50 Level 6 water restrictions were put in place and water consumption was closely monitored by the council. The town of Condamine flooded twice, first on 30 December 2010 and then again following the rapid rise in the river. The river height peaked at 14.6 metres on 14 January 2011. The first evacuation of Condamine was initially a voluntary 689 60 20042011 D9T1/KHW QUEENSLAND FLOODS COMMISSION OF INQUIRY evacuation but due to a changing assessment of the potential 1 disaster at hand, it became a mandatory evacuation for all residents. A little before midnight on the 30th of December, all residents, with the assistance of Miles police officer, Ben Wiltshire and emergency services, were safely evacuated from the Condamine. Residents returned on 6th of January only again to have to self-evacuate on the 14th of January 2011 when the river rose once more, inundating homes and businesses. 10 Photographs prepared by the DERM, the Department of Environment and Resource Management, graphically shows the extent of flooding in Condamine. Madam Commissioner, I will tender that photograph. COMMISSIONER: You want to tender it now? MS WILSON: Yes, please. COMMISSIONER: Exhibit 108. That's the town of Condamine, an 20 aerial flood photograph. ADMITTED AND MARKED "EXHIBIT 108" MS WILSON: The town of Chinchilla flooded on 28 December 2010 and again on 12 January 2011. Premises were left without 30 power and some were forced to evacuate from their homes. Chinchilla residents had to boil water following the second flood event until receiving the all clear from the council. Apart from Dalby, evacuation centres were set up in Miles and Chinchilla, and in a cooperative arrangement between disaster management personnel and private enterprise, Queensland Gas Company work camp "Wyndebri" facilitated evacuees on site, providing food and bedding. 40 The first task for the Commission pursuant to the Terms of Reference is to provide an interim report due on the 1st of August 2011 on matters associated with flood preparedness to enable early recommendations to be implemented before next summer's wet season. To that end, we will also examine any practical or legislative changes that will contribute to a more effective response by government agencies. Today we will call witnesses, including residents from Chinchilla, Tara and the Condamine, who will raise issues, 50 including the adequacy of warnings and information about flood levels. A common theme arises about a lack of warning received of the impending water that, although not causing loss of life, could sometimes be the difference between the preservation of property and livestock that can often be essential to a person's livelihood. Any communication gap between the local government and State 690 60 20042011 D9T1/KHW QUEENSLAND FLOODS COMMISSION OF INQUIRY agencies involved in the district and local disaster 1 management became privy to this information and when service received by the community will be explored. Another issue raised by residents is the distribution of information generally concerning disaster preparation, such as evacuation centres' location. This issue is arising at a number of localities across the State and the way in which people are educated and informed about what to do in times of disaster will be explored. 10 We will call Christopher Artiemiew, the Area Director, Central, Southwest Region of Emergency Management Queensland. Emergency Management Queensland, EMQ, is responsible for the SES and it is of interest that we will also call an SES volunteer from Condamine who will give evidence about his experience during the floods and the lack of information provided to the residents of Condamine concerning the rising waters in relation to the first flood. 20 Issues are raised by Douglas Bougoure, a Western Downs Regional Council employee, concerning his frustration at the bureaucracy when attempting to arrange a re-supply for the Tara community, a region that has been declared a disaster. Council had arranged a plane to resupply food staples to Tara but were directed by EMQ Toowoomba to get three quotes before food could be transported. In the circumstances, this was not possible and appeared to be ignorant of the urgency required to action such requests in times of disaster. 30 Senior Sergeant Antony Chase was the district officer at Dalby from the 4th of August 2010 until the 2nd of January 2011 when relieved by Inspector Terry Kajewski. As the acting district officer, he also assumed the role of Dalby District Disaster Coordinator for that period. We will also hear from Inspector Terry Kajewski, and one of the issues he raises is the impact of local government boundaries not being in alignment when directing disaster management in regions outside their normal jurisdiction. 40 For example, the towns of Miles, Condamine and Taroom and Wandoan are in the Roma Police District but now come under the governance of the Dalby Disaster District. He suggests that the realignment of these boundaries would assist in command and control of police resources during further disaster events. This issue will be examined and ultimately has relevance across Queensland. Sergeant Ben Wiltshire is the officer in charge of the Miles Police Station. He was a vital member of the local 50 disaster group in Miles coordinating meetings in December 2010 to prepare the community for the impending floods. He was of great assistance in facilitating the evacuation of all Condamine residents in the first major flood on the 30th of December 2010. He provides an assessment of the way in which various emergency and government agencies drew on each other's resources to facilitate evacuations and resupply. 691 60 20042011 D9T1/KHW QUEENSLAND FLOODS COMMISSION OF INQUIRY Ray Brown, the mayor of Western Downs Regional Council, and 1 Phil Berting, the CEO, will also give evidence detailing the planning, preparation and response of the council. They will provide recommendations based upon their experience of these flood events. The Commission's work does not stop after these hearings are concluded in Dalby. These public hearings are only a part of the Commission's process. There are matters that need further clarification and investigation - this will be done - after 10 the hearings and within the time constraints of meeting the report deadlines. Madam Commissioner, may we adjourn for just a short period before we call our first witness? COMMISSIONER: Thank you. We will adjourn. THE COMMISSION ADJOURNED AT 10.10 A.M. 20 THE COMMISSION RESUMED AT 10.22 A.M. COMMISSIONER: Yes, Ms Wilson? MS WILSON: Madam Commissioner, I call Mr Glen Taylor. 30 GLEN LESLIE TAYLOR, SWORN AND EXAMINED: MS WILSON: Is your full name Glen Leslie Taylor?-- That's correct. 40 And you have a farm outside the Condamine?-- That's correct. And you farm cotton and grain?-- That is correct. And it consists of about 5,000 acres?-- That's correct. Have you made a statement for the Inquiry?-- I have. Could I show you this document?-- Thank you. Yes. All correct. 50 Madam Commissioner, I tender that statement. COMMISSIONER: That will be Exhibit 109. ADMITTED AND MARKED "EXHIBIT 109" XN: MS WILSON 692 WIT: TAYLOR G L 60 20042011 D9T1/KHW QUEENSLAND FLOODS COMMISSION OF INQUIRY 1 MS WILSON: Now, you have been living in the district since 1972?-- That's correct.