Inquiry Search
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC321-4216 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | We recommend that DELWP enhances bushfire modelling by: - exploring multiple bushfire modelling tools to lower the uncertainty and limitations associated with using a single modelling tool - applying more detailed fire-severity data - validating and updating fuel accumulation curves - establishing and regularly updating an archive of well-documented fire events and using this to systematically test it against a broad range of burning and fuel conditions - establishing and implementing processes to routinely review and update its underlying datasets. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC319-4200 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Foundations of emergency management: The Inspector-General for Emergency Management recommends that Emergency Management Victoria and the entity referred to in Recommendation 13, or otherwise responsible government department – in consultation with the emergency management sector – establish policies and platforms to improve operational and personal information sharing between relief and recovery organisations. These policies and platforms should enable: |
REC319-4189 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Donated good: The Inspector-General for Emergency Management recommends that Emergency Management Victoria and the entity referred to in Recommendation 13, or otherwise responsible government department: |
REC319-4195 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Relief and recovery funding: The Inspector-General for Emergency Management recommends that the entity referred to in Recommendation 13, or otherwise responsible government department, leads the development of a comprehensive, person-centred, trauma-informed recovery financial assistance system that establishes: |
REC319-4196 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Relief and recovery funding: The Inspector-General for Emergency Management recommends that the entity referred to in Recommendation 13, or otherwise responsible government department, works with the emergency management sector to develop a recovery funding model that enables: |
REC319-4198 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Relief and recovery capability: The Inspector-General for Emergency Management recommends that the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions works with the entity referred to in Recommendation 13, or otherwise responsible government department and/or Municipal Association of Victoria, councils and local relief and recovery organisations to provide centralised capability development opportunities to increase local capability and capacity to plan and deliver on their relief and recovery responsibilities: |
REC319-4187 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Recovery governance: The Inspector-General for Emergency Management recommends that the entity referred to in Recommendation 13, or otherwise responsible government department, work with councils, relevant recovery organisations and communities to develop clear roles and responsibilities for: |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC318-4183 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | The Inspector-General for Emergency Management recommends that Emergency Management Victoria – in consultation with relevant agencies – develop a system to manage personnel and asset deployments to all tiers of incident management to meet the needs of the emergency and support the health and wellbeing of personnel. Where appropriate and within occupational health and safety requirements, this may include: |
REC318-4173 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Inspector-General for Emergency Management recommends that in conjunction with Inquiry Recommendation 2, the State establish or assign responsibility to a single body or entity to lead and coordinate the implementation of evidence-based fuel management policy, practice and assurance and reporting on activities on both public and private land in Victoria. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC317-4059 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | Australian, state and territory governments should prioritise the implementation of harmonised data governance and national data standards. |
REC317-4127 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Australian, state and territory governments should incorporate the principle of ‘build back better’ more broadly into the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements. |
REC317-4072 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Australian Government should consider whether employment protections under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) are sufficient to ensure that fire and emergency services volunteers will not be discriminated against, disadvantaged or dismissed for reasons associated with their volunteer service during natural disasters. |
REC317-4116 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Governments should create and publish standing policy guidance on whether they will or will not assist to clean-up debris, including contaminated debris, resulting from natural hazards. |
REC317-4055 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Australian Government should revise the COMDISPLAN thresholds to provide that a request for Australian Government assistance, including Defence assistance, is able to be made by a state or territory government when: |
REC317-4126 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Australian, state and territory governments should expedite the development of pre-agreed recovery programs, including those that address social needs, such as legal assistance domestic violence, and also environmental recovery. |
REC317-4068 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | Australian, state and territory governments should establish a national register of fire and emergency services personnel, equipment and aerial assets. |
REC317-4109 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | Australian, state and territory governments should develop consistent processes for the classification, recording and sharing of fuel load data. |
REC317-4122 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Australian, state and territory and local governments should evaluate the effectiveness of existing financial assistance measures to inform the development of a suite of pre-effective pre-determined recovery supports. |
REC317-4065 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | Australian, state and territory governments should continue to develop a greater capacity to collect and share standardised and comprehensive natural disaster impact data. |
REC317-4106 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | Australian, state and territory governments should ensure greater consistency and collaboration in the collation, storage, access and provision of data on the distribution and conservation status of Australian flora and fauna. |
REC317-4119 | 33 - Relief and recovery | The Australian Government, through the mechanism of the proposed standing national recovery and resilience agency, should convene regular and ongoing national forums for charities, non-government organisations and volunteer groups, with a role in natural disaster recovery, with a view to continuous improvement of coordination of recovery support. |
REC317-4064 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Australian, state and territory governments should work together to develop consistent data standards to measure disaster impact. |
REC317-4105 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | Australian, state and territory governments should agree to: |
REC317-4118 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Australian, state and territory governments should create a single national scheme for the regulation of charitable fundraising. |
REC317-4060 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | Australian, state and territory governments should create common information platforms and share technologies to enable collaboration in the production, analysis, access, and exchange of information, data and knowledge about climate and disaster risks. |
REC317-4104 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Australian, state and territory governments should refine arrangements to support localised planning and the delivery of appropriate mental health services following a natural disaster. |
REC317-4117 | 33 - Relief and recovery | State and territory governments should develop and implement efficient and effective arrangements to: |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC278-1225 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The committee recommends that the Australian and Tasmanian Governments: • develop options to increase co-operation to ensure that the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is protected and conserved in line with Australia's obligations under the World Heritage Convention; and • work together to ensure strong provisions to protect the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area from bushfire risks are included in the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Management Plan. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC275-1174 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | IGEM recommends that fire agencies consider an earlier classification of Level 3 incident for fires that present significant complexity such as was evident in the Wye River – Jamieson Track event. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC264-1074 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State enact legislation, to: • require Integrated Fire Management Planning; and • authorise the Emergency Management Commissioner to develop and implement regional and municipal fire management plans. |
REC264-1079 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State review and revise the Bushfre Smoke Protocol and the PM Health Protection Protocol, to: 2.5 • ensure both protocols are consistent with each other; and • ensure both protocols include assessment methods and trigger points for specifc responses. |
REC264-1078 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State review and revise the community carbon monoxide response protocol and the firefghter carbon monoxide response protocol, to: |
REC264-1077 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State take the lead in advocating for a national compliance standard for PM |
REC264-1088 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | GDF Suez adopt and apply the firefghter carbon monoxide response protocol. |
REC264-1076 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | The State equip itself to undertake rapid air quality monitoring in any location in Victoria, to: • collect all relevant data, including data on PM , carbon monoxide and ozone; and 2.5 • ensure this data is used to inform decision-making within 24 hours of the incident occurring. |
REC264-1084 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | GDF Suez revise its Emergency Response Plan, to: • require an increased state of readiness on days of Total Fire Ban; • require pre-establishment of an Emergency Command Centre; • require pre-positioning of an accredited Incident Controller as Emergency Commander; and • require any persons nominated as Emergency Commander to have incident controller accreditation and profciency in the use of the Australasian Inter-service Incident Management System. |
REC264-1075 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State: • bring forward the commencement date of s.16 of the Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Amendment Act 2014 (Vic), to facilitate the requirement that approved work plans specifcally address fre prevention, mitigation and suppression; and • acquire the expertise necessary to monitor and enforce compliance with fre risk measures adopted by the Victorian coal mining industry under both the mine licensing and occupational health and safety regimes. |
REC264-1080 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State develop and widely disseminate an integrated State Smoke Guide, to: • incorporate the proposed State Smoke Plan for the management of public health impacts from large scale, extended smoke events; • include updated Bushfre Smoke, carbon monoxide and PM protocols; and 2.5 • provide practical advice and support materials to employers, communities and individuals on how to minimise the harmful effects of smoke. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC257-1551 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The use of Internal and External ranges at MTA for patrolling activities be prohibited. |
REC257-1550 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Defence engage with both the Bureau of Meteorology and the Rural Fire Service to determine a more suitable index system. In the interim, Range Standing Orders be amended so that live-firing on the ranges on Marrangaroo Training Area not be permitted where the Forest Fire Danger Index for either the Central Ranges District or Greater Sydney Region is 12, it being the threshold for HIGH Fire Danger Rating or above. put another way, and in a practical sense, Range Standing Orders should, as an interim measure, require the Officer in Charge Practice and the Range Control Officer to consider the Forest Fire Danger Index for both Central Ranges District AND Greater Sydney Region on the day of any given serial. If either index is as 12 or above, live-firing should not be permitted. Any indication in Range Standing Orders or elsewhere that live-firing is permitted on Marrangaroo Training Area when the Fire Danger rating is HIGH should be rescinded. |
REC257-1549 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Marrangaroo Training Area Range Standing Orders should be reviewed to impose a requirement that the Officer in Charge of any live-firing practice ascertain and consider current weather parameters, temperature, humidity, wind strength and direction, registered at Mt Boyce immediately prior to any demolition serial. The setting of those parameters and their limits should be decided in consulation with the Bureau of Meteorology and Rural Fire Service and inserted into Range Standing Orders. |
REC257-1554 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | All documents be reviewed to remove ambiguity and perceived inconsistencies. Marrangaroo Training Area Range Standing Orders be subject to further examination, with particular consideration of the bushfire mitigation strategies referred to in the Bushfire Management Plan 2011-2014 before amendments to Chapter 10 are made. the basis upon which Range Standing Orders might fix a cut-off point for live-firing exercises should depend on continued bushfire strategies. Range Standing orders and Marrangaroo Training Area Bushfire Management Plan be reviewed annually. if hazard reduction has not occurred or the fire trails degraded, Range Standing Orders should take into account of heightened risk. |
REC257-1543 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Range Standing Orders be amended to include a direction that no Defence vehicle is to leave the administration area of Marrangaroo Training Area during a bushfire, except to leave Marrangaroo Training Area itself through the main gate, unless it is a properly equipped bushfire fighitng vehicle havig at least four wheel drive capabiliy and self-protection equipment. |
REC257-1553 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | On matters relating directly to safety or risk, or when live-firing may occur, where there is ambiguity or apparent inconsistency, the most conservative or restrctive order should be followed until formal clarification has been provided. |
REC257-1538 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Commanding Officer Defence Explosive Ordnance Training School amend relevant instructions, both generally and specifically, so as to ensure that explosive ordnance used in training serials is logged in real time, in accordance with extant doctrine. |
REC257-1552 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Authority be given to the regional Environmental Officer to close a range or impose live-firing restriction in addition to any set out in Range Standing Orders if circumstances so warrant. |
REC257-1537 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Commanding Officer Defence Explosive Ordnance Training School review and enforce Standard Operating Procedures to ensure that appropriate explosive ordnance accounting and handling practices, in accordance with Defence doctrine, are adhered to during all training activities. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC195-0330 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | The Fire Services develop a program that enables all communication mediums, including social media and agency websites, to be monitored in real time to provide quality assurance for outgoing messages and additional sources of information and intelligence relating to an emergency |
REC195-0313 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Fire Services expedite programmed work on joint operational command and control, including standards, procedures and training |
REC195-0312 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Fire Services Commissioner ensures that joint fireground command and control, integration and escalation procedures are developed, particularly for ‘fastrunning’ fires |
REC195-0311 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Fire Services ensure that agency specific operational procedures fully align with the arrangements. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC181-0187 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | The State identify a central point of responsibility for and expertise in mapping bushfire risk to: ■ review urgently the mapping criteria at present used by the Country Fire Authority to map the Wildfire Management Overlay, to ensure that the mapping used to determine building and planning controls is based on the best available science and takes account of all relevant aspects of bushfire risk; ■ map and designate Bushfire-prone Areas for the purposes of planning and building controls, in consultation with municipal councils and fire agencies; ■ finalise the alignment of site-assessment methods for planning and building purposes, taking into account bushfire risk to human safety as well as to property. |
REC181-0163 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State consider amending the Emergency Management Act 1986 to introduce a graded scale of emergency declarations short of a state of disaster. |
REC181-0213 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State enact legislation designed to achieve two specific ends: ■ appoint a Fire Commissioner as an independent statutory officer responsible to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services and as the senior operational firefighter in Victoria; ■ make the Chief Fire Officer of the Department of Sustainability and Environment a statutory appointment. The Fire Commissioner should have responsibility for the following: ■ promoting and directing reform aimed at increasing the operational capability, interoperability and resilience of Victoria’s fire services; ■ developing and building operational capacity to prepare for the days of highest bushfire risk and exercising control over level 3 fires as the permanent State Controller; ■ providing to government periodic advice on the metropolitan fire district boundary on the basis of triggers, frequency and criteria approved by government; ■ representing Victorian interests on operational matters in national committees. |
REC181-0162 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State consider either amending the Emergency Management Act 1986 or adopting a standing practice to require the Minister for Police and Emergency Services or the Chief Commissioner of Police to consult the Premier about the possibility of declaring a state of disaster for all of or any part of Victoria whenever the Minister or the Chief Commissioner of Police becomes aware of circumstances that make it a reasonable possibility that the criteria for making such a declaration will be satisfied. |
REC181-0209 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Department of Sustainability and Environment amend the Code of Practice for Fire Management on Public Land in order to achieve the following: ■ provide a clear statement of objectives, expressed as measurable outcomes; ■ include an explicit risk-analysis model for more objective and transparent resolution of competing objectives, where human life is the highest priority; ■ specify the characteristics of fire management zones—including burn size, percentage area burnt within the prescribed burn, and residual fuel loading; ■ adopt the use of the term ‘bushfire’ rather than ‘wildfire’. |
REC181-0166 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | The Country Fire Authority and the Department of Sustainability and Environment improve mapping support in the following ways: ■ DSE providing mapping data free of charge to emergency response agencies; ■ greatly increasing the CFA’s ‘write’ access to FireMap for incident management team staff; ■ establishing a joint DSE–CFA training program to ensure that mapping officers in level 2 and 3 incident management teams are fully trained in using FireMap, including in producing fire prediction maps; ■ requiring before the 2010–11 fire season that FireMap be used for joint incidents. |
REC181-0208 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | The Department of Sustainability and Environment significantly upgrade its program of long-term data collection to monitor and model the effects of its prescribed burning programs and of bushfires on biodiversity in Victoria. |
REC181-0161 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The State consider amending the Emergency Management Act 1986 and the Emergency Management Manual Victoria in order to achieve the following: ■ remove the title of Coordinator in Chief of Emergency Management from the Minister for Police and Emergency Services; ■ clarify the function and powers of the Minister; ■ designate the Chief Commissioner of Police as Coordinator in Chief of Emergency Management, who would have primary responsibility for keeping the Minister informed during an emergency. |
REC181-0193 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | The Department of Sustainability and Environment conduct biodiversity mapping identifying flora, fauna and any threatened species throughout Victoria and make the results publicly available. The format used should be compatible with that used for Bushfire-prone Area mapping. |
REC181-0164 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Victorian fire agencies amend the AIIMS framework before the 2010–11 fire season in order to do the following: ■ designate the Information Unit as a separate section reporting directly to the Incident Controller and require that the Information Unit contain a dedicated Public Information Officer whenever a full incident management team is required; ■ specify a set of functions in relation to which the Deputy Incident Controller for a level 3 incident will have oversight, which may be adjustable for a particular incident by agreement between the Incident Controller and the Deputy Incident Controller; ■ ensure that an individual with local knowledge is incorporated in an incident management team |
REC181-0158 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Country Fire Authority and the Department of Sustainability and Environment amend their procedures to require the following: ■ that at locations that attract preparedness levels A or B there be a full incident management team under the leadership of an accredited level 3 Incident Controller in position by 10.00 am on days of code red fire danger and a core incident management team (eight personnel) under the leadership of an accredited level 3 Incident Controller in position by 10.00 am on days of extreme fire danger; ■ that at locations that attract preparedness levels A or B there be a full incident management team under the leadership of an accredited level 3 Incident Controller in position by 10.00 am on days of code red fire danger and a core incident management team (eight personnel) under the leadership of an accredited level 3 Incident Controller in position by 10.00 am on days of extreme fire danger. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC177-3305 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Cement integrity should be evaluated wherever practicable by way of cement evaluation tests, rather than relying on pre‐operational calculations of cement and displacement fluid volumes. |
REC177-3323 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Where multiple wells are drilled, operations and occurrences at one well must be carefully assessed for any implications with respect to well control at other wells. |
REC177-3354 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | NOPSA develop a policy of engagement with operators so as to enable experts (including safety experts) to canvas all available options for well control in the event of a blowout. |
REC177-3311 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Horizontal or high angle penetration of a reservoir should be avoided wherever practicable until such time as the apparent problems associated with the cementing of a casing shoe in these situations are satisfactorily overcome. If a casing string does penetrate a well horizontally or at a high angle, standard practice should be to install two secondary barriers in addition to the cemented casing shoe. |
REC177-3328 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | All communications between on‐rig and onshore personnel relating to well control should be documented in a timely manner. |
REC177-3363 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | DEWHA, in concert with AMSA and with expert input, should develop ‘off the shelf’ monitoring programs that can be speedily implemented following incidents in Commonwealth waters. In this context, the utility of the current Scientific Monitoring program should be peer reviewed to inform future policy. |
REC177-3277 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The concept of ‘good oilfield practice’ should be supplemented by the requirement to incorporate into WOMPs non‐exhaustive minimum compliance standards in relation to well control: for example, stipulations as to when BOPs and/or well control systems must be in place and when they can be removed and minimum barrier requirements (a number of other factors that should be stipulated are outlined in other recommendations below). |
REC177-3296 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Use of single strings of intermediate casing to penetrate hydrocarbon bearing zones should be carefully risk assessed. Multiple strings of intermediate casing have the advantage of isolating lost circulation zones and sealing off anomalous pressure zones. If intermediate casing is set in a hydrocarbon zone it should be treated as production casing. |
REC177-3316 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Wells should be re‐entered with a BOP in place unless a documented risk assessment indicates that well control can be maintained at all times. |
REC177-3341 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The definition of ‘good oilfield practice’ in the OPGGS Act is unduly narrow. The current definition is incapable of application except where things ‘are generally accepted as good and safe’. The definition should be amended such that ‘good oilfield practice includes…’. |
REC177-3373 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Arrangements should be developed to minimise duplication between the EPBC Act and the OPGSS Act Environment Regulation. |
REC177-3302 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Industry, regulators, and training/research institutions should develop standards that address best practices for cementing operations (including liaising, as appropriate, with overseas regulators) with a view to overcoming problems which can effect the integrity of cemented casing shoes, annulus and cement plugs. |
REC177-3322 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Batched drilling operations should only be undertaken after careful assessment of the special risks which such operations give rise to; well control must be maintained during the course of batched drilling operations. |
REC177-3353 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The regulatory regime should also impose an obligation on an operator to ascertain the availability, and provide details to the regulator, of any potential relief well rigs, prior to the commencement of drilling operations (including prior to each phase of a drilling operation where applicable). |
REC177-3309 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | If performance of barrier installation is outsourced by a licensee, the contractor (for example, the cementing company) should be engaged on terms which clearly require the provision of expert advisory services by the contractor with respect to barrier integrity. |
REC177-3327 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Information relevant to well control must be captured and communicated within and between licensees and rig operators (and relevant third party contractors), in a manner which ensures it comes to the attention of relevant personnel. In particular, protocols should be developed to ensure that changes in shift and hitch do not operate as communication barriers. |
REC177-3362 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Procedures for the approval of development projects should ensure that conditions of approval are comprehensive and clearly set out the obligations of their proponents in relation to environmental matters (including expected monitoring and remediation obligations). |
REC177-3276 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | WOMPs should be comprehensive and freestanding, rather than an overarching document cross‐referencing many other documents (although the Inquiry also recommends a freestanding well control manual; this should be a guide to rig and onshore personnel on good oilfield practice). |
REC177-3292 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Licensees should be subject to an express obligation to inform regulators of the proposed removal of a barrier, even if they consider that well integrity is not thereby compromised. The information should be provided by way of special report, rather than included in a standard reporting document (such as a DDR). The information provided should include risk assessment details. Removal of a barrier should not take place without prior written approval of the relevant regulator(s). |
REC177-3315 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | PCCCs should be installed in a timely manner (for example, to prevent corrosion in the MLS apparatus). Non‐installation in order to park a BOP is not acceptable. |
REC177-3340 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | To better ensure that ‘risks’ are identified and managed in accordance with sound engineering principles and good oilfield practice, it is recommended that regulation 25(1)(a)(i) and (2)(a)(i) of the Management of Well Operations Regulations, be reworded as follows: ‘A titleholder must not commence / continue a well activity if…a well integrity hazard exists in relation to the well’. |
REC177-3370 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Environment plans and OSCPs should be made publicly available as a condition of approval of proposals under the OPGGS Act, and should clearly set out Scientific Monitoring requirements in the event of an oil spill. |
REC177-3301 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The industry standard of two barriers should be replaced with the concept of ‘two or more barriers’ as a minimum standard. A minimum standard when operations proceed normally should never be regarded as a sufficient standard in other circumstances. |
REC177-3320 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Any pro‐formas used by licensees, rig operators and contractors for recording information about installation of barriers should explicitly provide for ‘exception reporting’, that is, the form should include provision for recording any unforseen or untoward events which occur in the course of installation. |
REC177-3352 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The regulator, rather than the responsible Minister, should be given the power to direct an operator to use a particular rig for the purpose of well control operations, if appropriate in the circumstances, and the power should be used in the future if that rig is the best option available. This would necessarily involve the operator fully compensating for the use of the rig and any other associated costs. The Inquiry suggests that this power could be invoked and given effect as a condition of an operator’s licence. |
REC177-3308 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Volumes of cement used in connection with barrier installation should be calculated with the assistance of a pro‐forma which records all relevant baseline data, which should be verified by onshore personnel. |
REC177-3326 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Prior to commencement of drilling operations, senior representatives of the licensee and rig operator should exchange certificates to the effect that their respective key personnel and contractors have been informed in writing of agreed well control arrangements. |
REC177-3361 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The National Plan should be revised to ensure that it fully comprehends environmental matters and that it recognises the importance of the prompt implementation of Scientific Monitoring to facilitate the assessment of the environmental impacts of an incident. |
REC177-3275 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Well Operations Management Plan (WOMPs) submitted by licensees to the regulator(s) should continue to be the primary framework document for achieving well integrity. |
REC177-3284 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Memoranda of Agreement should be entered into between operators in relation to provision of emergency assistance in the event of blowouts. |
REC177-3314 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Secondary barriers (including PCCCs) should only be installed, tested, and removed with a BOP in place unless a documented risk assessment indicates that well control can be maintained at all times. |
REC177-3339 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Inquiry supports the objective (rather than prescriptive) approach to regulation now followed in Australia. However, the pendulum has swung too far away from prescriptive standards. In some areas relating to well integrity there needs to be minimum standards. |
REC177-3368 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The regulatory framework should provide that in respect of all activities in Commonwealth waters: |
REC177-3300 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Licensees and rig operators should install an additional barrier whenever (i) there is any real doubt as to the integrity of any barrier; (ii) whenever the risk of flow from a reservoir increases materially in the course of operations; and (iii) where the consequences of a blowout are grave (for example, for reef systems or shorelines). |
REC177-3319 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Drilling programs dealing with barrier installation should incorporate relevant aspects of manufacturer’s instructions. |
REC177-3350 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The recommendations of the Inquiry in relation to suitable ways of achieving well integrity contained in Chapter 3 be included in a guidance manual that is issued for the assistance of industry and regulators. |
REC177-3307 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Any indication of a compromised cemented shoe which cannot be resolved with a high measure of confidence should result in the installation of additional well control barrier(s). |
REC177-3325 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Relevant personnel from licensees and rig operators should meet face to face to agree on, and document, well control issues/arrangements prior to commencement of drilling operations. Well control should be regarded as a so‐called SIMOP to signify its critical importance to both licensees and rig operators, and to ensure that they each take responsibility for achievement and maintenance of well control. |
REC177-3359 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The National Plan should be reviewed to clarify the arrangements to apply in Commonwealth waters regarding key roles and responsibilities, including in relation to the ESC, in the event of an oil spill. This should also address any necessary training required. |
REC177-3313 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Barriers should not be installed or removed off‐line. The derrick should be located over a well at the time of removal and installation of any barrier. This will enable more decisive action to be taken in the event a problem arises. |
REC177-3335 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Licensees, rig operators and relevant third party contractors should develop well control competency standards for key personnel in other entities involved in well control operations. |
REC177-3367 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Procedures and accountabilities should be established to ensure, in the event of a future incident, that: |
REC177-3283 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | A separate, identifiable barrier manual should be agreed upon and used by licensees, rig operators, and cementing contractors. These manuals should set out best industry practice in relation to achieving and maintaining well integrity. They should describe barrier types, barrier standards, general principles of well integrity, testing and verification methods and technologies, standard operating procedures (including procedures for the capture and communication of relevant information within and between relevant stakeholder entities). Barrier manuals should address blowout control during drilling, completion, re‐entry, tie‐back of casing strings and so on. Barrier manuals should be the subject of expert external review, and should be regularly updated. |
REC177-3298 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Reliance upon one barrier against a blowout must not take place except with the prior written approval of the relevant regulator and then only in a true emergency situation (see below). |
REC177-3318 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Manufacturers should be consulted about how to address non‐routine operational problems affecting their well control equipment. |
REC177-3343 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The OPGGS Act should be amended to allow for a power to suspend a petroleum production licence (in addition to the current power to cancel a licence or suspend its conditions). |
REC177-3306 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | It should be standard industry practice to re‐test a cemented casing shoe (that is, after WOC) whenever the plugs do not bump or the float valves apparently fail. Standard industry practice should require consideration of other tests in addition to a repeat pressure test. |
REC177-3324 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The mere fact that the rig is over the platform should not be regarded by licensees or regulators as sufficient justification for reliance on only one barrier. The default position should be that producible wells are shut‐in when a rig is moved on and off a platform, or when a drilling unit is moved between wells on a platform. |
REC177-3355 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Inquiry also supports Bills and Agostini’s recommendation: ‘…in relation to safety case development and compliance overall, that NOPSA revise its approach to interacting with operators prior to the safety case assessment process and subsequently direct more resources into its advisory functions. We further recommend that NOPSA develop and implement a formal plan for supporting and guiding each operator prior to safety case acceptance, as well as for ongoing compliance with that safety case, recognising the unique experience, capabilities and assessed risk of that operator. Each plan needs to include advice, education and liaison meetings with the operators. The plan needs to be continuously reviewed and reassessed based on the latest information, including the interaction with the operator’. |
REC177-3312 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The BOP and rig should not move from a well until barrier integrity has been verified. |
REC177-3334 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Licensees, rig operators, and relevant third party contractors should develop well control competency standards for their key personnel. Wherever possible, the competencies of key personnel should be benchmarked against their roles and responsibilities. |
REC177-3366 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The National Plan should be reviewed: |
REC177-3280 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Well construction and management plans should include provision for an independent compliance review of well integrity (i) in the event of stipulated triggers; and (ii) at least once in the period between perceived achievement of well integrity and production. The independent compliance review should be undertaken by an expert who is not involved in the day‐to‐day drilling operations. Reviews should be completed in sufficient time to enable results to be implemented in a meaningful manner. |
REC177-3297 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | A minimum of two barriers should be in place at all times (including during batched operations) whenever it is reasonably practicable to do so. |
REC177-3317 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Any equipment (including PCCCs) used as, or to install, a barrier should be manufactured for that purpose and be generally recognised as fit for purpose. If equipment is designed in‐house by a licensee or rig operator it should not be approved for use unless and until it is subjected to expert external analysis. |
REC177-3342 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Written (rather than verbal) approval from the DA (or new regulator) should be obtained before the commencement of well activities that lead to a physical change of a wellbore, other than in a true emergency situation (requiring amendment to regulation 17 of the Management of Well Operations Regulations). |
REC177-3377 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Minister consider legislative amendments to the OPGGS Act which make clear that |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC156-3498 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Department of Primary Industries, Department of Premier and Cabinet, and the Office of the Emergency Services Commissioner review and clarify energy sector emergency event trigger points for the activation of Central Government Response Committee. |
REC156-3508 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Australian Broadcast Corporation and Emergency Services Organisations redevelop the protocols for the use of the Memorandum of Understanding; and all relevant emergency services and ABC staff are trained in the use of the protocols. |
REC156-3489 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Department of Primary Industries responsibility for emergency management within the energy sector needs to be reinforced consistent with Recommendation 5. |
REC156-3505 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Emergency Service Organisations and the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority agree on the direct telephone numbers to be used for contacting the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority in relation to emergency incidents. The Emergency Service Organisations need to ensure an effective process is in place to educate their personnel in relation to the use of these numbers. |
REC156-3484 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Victoria State Emergency Service finalise its development of strategic emergency response management plans including severe weather and storm events. |
REC156-3504 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority develop a protocol to direct the suspension or cessation of scheduled telecommunication maintenance or testing to emergency alert systems during an emergency event. |
REC156-3513 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Department of Primary Industries in consultation with the energy sector develop and implement a Memorandum of Understanding or similar authorising instrument that provides a single contact for emergency |
REC156-3501 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Country Fire Authority review their procedures regarding receipt of Triple Zero calls on the Brigade Spectrum Preset Conference including training material, testing procedures and interface back to the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority Computer Aided Dispatch system. |
REC156-3511 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The operational protocols of the Emergency Management Joint Public Information Committee be formally endorsed by the State Emergency Response Planning Committee and the Victorian Emergency Management |
REC156-3499 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Department of Primary Industries clearly document responsibilities within the Department to ensure better co-ordination of public information during emergencies. |
REC156-3510 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Victoria’s emergency management arrangements as they relate to the Emergency Management Joint Public Information Committee be enhanced to include greater clarity of its operational role in the Emergency Management Manual Victoria. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC155-3482 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That the Victorian Government, and responsible agencies, expedite the implementation of the Integrated Fire Management Planning framework. |
REC155-3479 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That a process of year round community engagement in the preparation of Fire Operations Plans be established. In addition a record of year round community engagement, as contained in the Gippsland Fire Operations Plan, should be a requirement of all Fire Operations Plans. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC132-3592 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Clarifying protocols for activating VBIL beyond normal working hours and for 24 hour activations |
REC132-3591 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Joint development of templates for provision of core incident information by regional Incident Management Teams to CFA and DSE emergency coordination centres as basis for updates to the VBIL and other authorised information recipients |
REC132-3595 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Development of framework document investigating future direction of VBIL including its role during incidents and its role in the transition from bushfire preparation to incident to bushfire recovery phases |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC124-3887 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Give priority to the establishment of risk management processes across all stages of prescribed burning within the Department’s broader risk management strategy: |
REC124-3886 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | Clarify, strengthen and document roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of DSE and its partner organisations in the prescribed burning program: |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC104-2190 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | That DSE institute additional routine data storage and analysis to supplement current climate records with at least daily 3 pm values for the Grassland and Forest Fire Danger Index, and Keetch-Byram Drought Index, for selected high quality stations representing a cross-section of environments throughout Victoria. |
REC104-2276 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That CFA and DSE jointly develop procedures to ensure that a more consistent strategic approach can be maintained at shift and tour of duty changes. |
REC104-2324 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That this group reports to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services on proposed legislative amendments to the Emergency Management Act 1986, the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 and any associated legislation by June 2004. |
REC104-2202 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | That DSE and CFA map all unplanned fires greater than four hectares on public and private land in order to further develop an understanding of the risk to rural Victoria from unplanned fires. |
REC104-2306 | 33 - Relief and recovery | That VicRoads and Municipal Councils review procedures and processes to ensure that the identification and delivery of remedial works on State and Council roads following emergency events are as efficient as possible. |
REC104-2229 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That DSE and the Department of Primary Industries formalise an agreement by the 2003-2004 fire season documenting the policies, procedures and financial arrangements relating to the availability of Department of Primary Industries staff to be trained and released for fire prevention and suppression activities on public land. |
REC104-2312 | 33 - Relief and recovery | That all agencies engaged in recovery participate in community briefings prior to and during emergency events, to ensure recovery issues are reinforced and communities are informed of the processes established to assist individuals – including matters that are not the responsibility of Victoria, such as Centrelink payments. |
REC104-2261 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That the emergency management arrangements be amended to require Police Divisional Emergency Response Coordinators, in consultation with other response agencies, to establish and document procedures and structures at regional level in order to ensure there is: |
REC104-2320 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | That Government acknowledge the importance of spatial information as a key element of planning, operations and program evaluation, and support the Geospatial Emergency Information Network as a means of ensuring integrated and co-ordinated information management on a whole-ofGovernment basis. |
REC104-2199 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That evidence of the rekindling or otherwise of spring prescribed burns in forests be assembled and a model constructed and tested to see whether or not some days in spring could be used for prescribed burning in certain circumstances and places, especially in Zone 1. |
REC104-2305 | 33 - Relief and recovery | That DPI actively promote as widely as possible within the community, the agricultural recovery service available during emergencies to ensure that all farmers are aware of the services provided. |
REC104-2227 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That the Municipal Fire Management Plan amendment includes appropriate provisions for the audit of the plans including: |
REC104-2311 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That all Departments, statutory authorities, utility providers and Local Governments be made aware of the need to develop contingency plans for recovery activities, and that such plans, and the associated public education and information strategies, are included in the Municipal Emergency Management Plans. |
REC104-2257 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That the Emergency Management Act 1986 be amended to require the development of agreements that describe joint operational arrangements between emergency response agencies. |
REC104-2319 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | That all emergency service agencies, CFA and DSE in particular, give greater priority to information management – especially the collection, maintenance and quality control of base data sets necessary for planning, operations and program evaluation. |
REC104-2198 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That an explicit formulation of the interactions between terrain, fuel, ignition pattern, time of day and weather be created to better define those days suited to prescribed burning. |
REC104-2288 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That CFA develop protocols to integrate Ultra High Frequency and Citizen Band radios into their communication structures. |
REC104-2226 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That the new Municipal Fire Management Plan is informed by the policy directions of the subcommittee of the Victoria Emergency Management Council. |
REC104-2310 | 33 - Relief and recovery | That recovery is recognised as commencing at the same time as response and that recovery planning and delivery is an integral part of the operations of the Municipal Emergency Co-ordination Centres. |
REC104-2253 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That Victoria Police, CFA and DSE review the relationship between fire service regional co-ordination arrangements and Divisional Emergency Response Plans and that any changes be formalised in the emergency management arrangements. |
REC104-2316 | 33 - Relief and recovery | That the State Emergency Recovery Committee explore opportunities to establish a 'one-stop shop’ approach wherever practicable following emergencies, including a single telephone number to connect a person to all agencies involved in the recovery process. |
REC104-2196 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That, as a result of this monitoring, weather conditions for the safe conduct of burning in such operations should be defined. |
REC104-2285 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That, as a matter of urgency and in consultation with stakeholders, CFA and DSE develop and communicate clear guidelines on how and when privately owned firefighting equipment should be integrated into the fire response. |
REC104-2330 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That this unified system include recommendations for the appointment of one person or agency to be responsible for overall control of fire suppression activity in country Victoria, including for any legislative reform considered necessary. |
REC104-2224 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 be amended to: |
REC104-2309 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That the Emergency Management Act 1986 be amended to include a provision that, on the recommendation of the Minister for Police and Emergency Services as Co-ordinator-in-Chief of Emergency Management, or of another Minister, the Premier establish a Ministerial Task Force to oversee recovery in situations of extreme natural disaster or other emergency events. |
REC104-2252 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That existing DSE and CFA regional co-ordination arrangements be reviewed and any changes, such as the continued use of Integrated Multi-Agency Co-ordination Centres, be reflected in the Victorian emergency management arrangements. |
REC104-2314 | 33 - Relief and recovery | That DHS, in conjunction with Local Government, Government departments and the nongovernment sector, modify recovery planning at all levels to include a case management approach supported by an appropriate information system to be activated at the time of an emergency. |
REC104-2191 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | That DSE and CFA, recognising that the Bureau of Meteorology does not routinely store all variables required to produce the calculations and indices necessary for research and planning into fire occurrence and behaviour, develop appropriate systems to ensure that such current and historical information is readily available and accessible. |
REC104-2278 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That DSE and CFA review the standards and protocols for documentation, including mapping, provided to fire line managers as part of their briefing notes, to ensure these are concise and appropriate. |
REC104-2329 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That CFA, DSE, MFESB and Victoria Police jointly develop a unified command and control system that better integrates with the State's emergency management arrangements, and that this be endorsed by the Victoria Emergency Management Council by July 2004. |
REC104-2219 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That, following the review of Forest Industry Brigades, the Country Fire Authority Act 1958 be amended to ensure that the Forest Industry Brigades, which are acting in an approved manner, have the same powers and rights as other Brigades when attending fires on public land or interstate. |
REC104-2307 | 33 - Relief and recovery | That the Victorian Government recommend to the Commonwealth Government that it reviews eligibility for those without employment who may or may not be engaged in an emergency response, and are unable to access the appropriate infrastructure to register for financial assistance. |
REC104-2236 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That the Statewide Fire Control Priorities: |
REC104-2313 | 33 - Relief and recovery | That Government review the emergency relief and financial assistance policy, and develop and communicate a predictable, consistent and equitable policy designed to assist the community to recover from emergencies, including natural disasters. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC098-2141 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth through the National Heritage Trust, offer assistance to the states and the Australian Capital Territory to develop specific prescribed burning guides, at least |
REC098-2160 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | The Committee recommends that Geoscience Australia take responsibility, in conjunction with Emergency Management Australia, for developing a national spatial data policy to coordinate the development of data systems, the collection of data and the sharing of data between all the emergency response agencies across Australia, and that both agencies participate in the development and delivery of spatial information |
REC098-2187 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth require state and territory governments to have in place comprehensive bush fire management plans as a pre-requisite for accessing funding from the National Heritage Trust and like programs. |
REC098-2135 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth seeks to ensure that the Council of Australian Governments implements to a minimum national standard adequate access to all public lands including wilderness areas of national parks. |
REC098-2159 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Committee recommends that in changing the incident management systems as proposed in recommendation 23 above all bushfire agencies review concerns about difficulties in communicating operational information from the fire front to air operations. |
REC098-2170 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Committee recommends that Emergency Management Australia request the Australasian Fire Authorities Council to: |
REC098-2154 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth seek to ensure that the Council of Australian Governments seek the adoption by all states and territories of multi-agency protocols and agreements for fire |
REC098-2166 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Committee recommends that Emergency Management Australia work through the Australasian Fire Authorities Council to ensure that: |
REC098-2152 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth, through the Council of Australian Governments and the Australasian Fire Authorities Council, initiate an overhaul of the incident management systems used |
REC098-2162 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | The Committee recommends that the 1:100,000 national mapping program be accelerated to achieve an average life of no greater than 10 years with priority given to those areas most susceptible to national disasters. |
REC098-2149 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth work with the states and territories through the proposed Council of Australian Governments to review the response to bushfires to ensure that principles of fire prevention and rapid and effective initial attack are adopted and implemented by all rural fire authorities and public land managers |
REC098-2161 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | The Committee recommends that Emergency Management Australia be required to participate in the development and delivery of spatial information systems as part of a national approach to emergency planning and management data. The first priority in policy development and of systems should be related to bushfire hazards. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC037-4165 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | • Proposed amendments to the State Disaster Plan be formalised |
REC037-4161 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | That separate counter—disaster systems be avoided by retaining counter—bushfire arrangements as part of the State’s total counter— disaster system. [Reference paragraph: 228] |
REC037-4160 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The current counter—bushfire concept be retained, with the proviso that it be kept under continuous review to ensure that all relevant future developments and techniques are effectively utilised. (Reference paragraphs: 88 to 90 and 257 to 259] |
REC037-4168 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The provisions of the State Disasters Act, 1983, be extended to cover the proposed policy and organisational amendments. (Reference paragraph: 286] |
REC037-4167 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | The definitions of command, control and co—ordination, as stated in the Australian Counter Disaster Handbook, be standardised throughout Victoria’s counter—disaster system. [Reference paragraphs: 106 to 111] |
REC037-4166 | 32 - Doctrine, standards, and reform | In the future development of Victoria’s counter—disaster capability, effective utilisation and management of resources be regarded as a major objective. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC015_3960 | 33 - Relief and recovery | It is recommended that the Forests Commission recognize and provide for the efficient exercise of three major functions, namely those of Commerce, Reclamation and Rehabilitation. |