Inquiry Search
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC315-3816 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | That Government re-commit to the current, regionally based approach to planning and coordinating hazard reduction activities across all tenures through Bush Fire Management Committees but ensure that it is actually being implemented at a high-level of quality across NSW. Getting it to a high-level of quality requires: |
REC315-3851 | 10 - Infrastructure | That, to ensure mobile generators are sourced and distributed on a priority basis during natural disasters, the EUSFAC work with the NSW Telco Authority, relevant NSW government agencies and commercial stakeholders to develop a mobile asset deployment strategy. The strategy should reduce duplication in purchasing, maintaining and housing mobile generators and improve agility in deployment. |
REC315-3801 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | That, in order to improve capability to detect ignitions and monitor accurately all fire edge intensity and progression automatically across the State in near real time, Government establish a spatial technology acceleration program to maximise the information available from the various remote sensing technologies currently in use and to plan for inclusion of new remote sensing systems that can sense precisely and rapidly through heavy smoke, cloud, fog and dust. This will require work within the State and with partners nationally and internationally. |
REC315-3827 | 10 - Infrastructure | That, in order to minimise communication outages and extend basic communication coverage during bush fires, the NSW Government work directly, or together with other Australian governments and/or their relevant power and telecommunications regulatory, policy and market bodies, to: |
REC315-3800 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | That the NSW Government, along with other Australian governments, ask AFAC to establish a national bush fire database. This database would enable: |
REC315-3826 | 10 - Infrastructure | That, in order to maximise the protection of critical infrastructure in a bush fire, Australian governments revise the regulatory framework for the provision to government authorities of information about all critical infrastructure (public and private) including a possible change to compel the owners of critical assets to provide all needed metadata, updated annually, for appropriate planning, preparation and response for bush fire. This would include information about location, ownership, access, details of service the infrastructure supports, and fire treatments of building and surrounding zones. |
REC315-3819 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | That, as part of the spatial technology acceleration program, Government support deployment of remote sensing and picture processing technologies to monitor and audit how well Asset Protection Zones and defendable space are being maintained, especially around towns. |
REC315-3868 | 33 - Relief and recovery | That, in order to ensure people only need to tell their story once to access government agency support following an emergency, Resilience NSW and Service NSW jointly design an inclusive, person-centred approach to information collection at evacuation centres. This should be supported by an opt-in scheme enabling personal information to be shared between NSW government agencies, local councils and non-governmental organisations administering support services for disaster-affected people. |
REC315-3817 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | That Government, noting that hazard reduction targeted in proximity to assets is on balance more likely to provide help than hinder, should: |
REC315-3856 | 10 - Infrastructure | That, in order to improve response times to Triple Zero calls, the NSW RFS implements the integrated dispatch system before the 2020-21 fire season commences. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC314-3262 | 10 - Infrastructure | Invest in upgrading and integrating ICT platforms to eliminate manual data transfers, and ensure IT and radio communication interoperability across the agencies, together with a dedicated focus on the development of a coordinated risk intelligence capability to provide all stakeholders with a common operating picture and rapid damage assessments. |
REC314-3272 | 10 - Infrastructure | Clarify business continuity and restoration of critical infrastructure in the planning and response phases to facilitate water replenishment, fireground remediation and access to businesses (including farming properties). |
REC314-3264 | 6 - Insurance and legal liability | Consider removing stamp duty from home insurance to encourage a wider section of the community to take out insurance. South Australian government agencies should share their risk modelling data with the Insurance Council of Australia. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC296-1359 | 10 - Infrastructure | Renegotiate the maintenance contract at the end of the current contract and have DPTI through AGFMA take on the maintenance contract. |
REC296-1353 | 10 - Infrastructure | Regular annual testing at 100% on a load bank needs to be scheduled into a maintenance schedule. |
REC296-1358 | 10 - Infrastructure | If the existing generator is capable of providing the current essential power requirements then the generator needs a major inspection and overhaul all items that may need to be replaced due to age and condition. This includes checking compression, oil pressure, coolant pumping and all other critical components and may actually require providing a temporary generator while the Hospital generator receives a major inspection and possible re build. A ball park figure to do this would be $50,000.00 plus cranage and transport to Detroit workshop probably another $10,000.00 then a temporary generator would need to be hired and installed which could run into $10’s of thousands of dollars depending on how long the engine was out of service. For the money that would be spent checking and rebuilding the existing engine it would be recommended to replace the generator with a new generator. |
REC296-1363 | 10 - Infrastructure | Due to the age of the generator, reliability and reparability risk due to age and the apparent under capacity of the generator it is recommend to replace the generator with a new generator and associated control system designed for the current load requirements and allowance for some future expansion. |
REC296-1352 | 10 - Infrastructure | A monthly testing regime needs to be developed that will allow the generator to be tested at full essential load capacity and to ensure that 4 hour monthly testing can be done every month. |
REC296-1357 | 10 - Infrastructure | Monthly test results need to be accurately recorded. |
REC296-1362 | 10 - Infrastructure | Carry out a detailed audit of the current Hospital essential loads to determine the current load requirements of the Hospital. |
REC296-1351 | 10 - Infrastructure | From the above assessment determine the existing generator load requirements and provide a new generator to meet those loads. |
REC296-1356 | 10 - Infrastructure | Accurate records need to be provided as to what is done for each service. |
REC296-1361 | 10 - Infrastructure | Prepare and carry out a testing regime and testing strategy and ensure testing of the generator is done every month for 4 hours over that month and under full Hospital load with test result recorded every 15 minutes. |
REC296-1350 | 10 - Infrastructure | Remove any loads that do not need to be on essential power. |
REC296-1355 | 10 - Infrastructure | Replacement of all original pipes and hoses not yet done. |
REC296-1360 | 10 - Infrastructure | Carry out regular load bank testing on the generator with a load bank large enough to fully load the generator to 110% which will clean out the engine and also identify whether the generator is capable of providing full load for a sustained length of time. |
REC296-1349 | 10 - Infrastructure | Conduct an assessment of the current essential loads and determine if there are loads that should not be on essential power. |
REC296-1354 | 10 - Infrastructure | Monthly and annual maintenance servicing needs to be scheduled for the generator to DPTI or CHSA schedule requirements. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC295-1275 | 33 - Relief and recovery | That SA Health, develop an emergency plan to manage an extended power outage or black system event which, in addition to the requirements outlined in recommendation 16: |
REC295-1334 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Conduct a review into South Australia’s arrangements for relief and recovery grant, Local Government Disaster Recovery Assistance Arrangements and Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangement claims, the review should include governance coordination and criteria for provision and processing of relief/recovery grants |
REC295-1294 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | That consideration and resources be given to support the implementation of recommendations in the report prepared on behalf of Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources (Australian Water Environments, 2016), for flood warning classification of stream gauges and other locations. |
REC295-1293 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | That the Flood Reform Task Group identify an appropriate mechanism for stakeholder agencies (including the State Emergency Service, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Bureau of Meteorology and SA Water, as a minimum) to share data and information and develop plans and strategies for management of water levels in reservoirs and spill management during floods in South Australian water catchments |
REC295-1286 | 10 - Infrastructure | That the Attorney General’s Department consult with local government regarding potential for them to provide logistical support associated with backup power supply to SA Government Radio Network towers in the event of an emergency. |
REC295-1279 | 10 - Infrastructure | Install UPS on traffic lights on main Central Business District (CBD) and arterial roads to allow an effective movement of traffic during a loss of power. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC284-1365 | 10 - Infrastructure | The electrical master plan for the site should be updated to include planning for the scheduled replacement or refurbishment of those parts of the infrastructure that have not been renewed in the last 10 years. This planning to consider other upgrades or plans for the FMC overall. |
REC284-1370 | 10 - Infrastructure | Review control system for the main generator normal/essential changeover system and ensure that it has effective backup/manual or redundant operations, and suitable testing facilities. The Essential board that supplies the main generator power to Blocks A, B, C (except theatres), D, E (except certain critical engineering plant) (MD-1-4P-10E), is a potential single point of failure of a significant portion of the emergency power system and as part of the Master Plan update should be considered as a priority. |
REC284-1369 | 10 - Infrastructure | Review all generator locations for arrangements for temporary generator installation, including design of modifications as required for electrical connections and spatial requirements at installation locations, to be documented in an emergency procedure. |
REC284-1374 | 10 - Infrastructure | Provide walls around critical electrical infrastructure within the main plant area to provide security and protection from catastrophic water system failures. |
REC284-1368 | 10 - Infrastructure | Improvements to installation to be implemented as follows: - Lighting within the generator enclosure and immediately adjacent to be emergency battery-backed type. - Improvements to the spatial layout within the main generator enclosure should be investigated, including allowance for the control panel door to open 180o (only 90o currently); moving the fuel pumps to a more accessible location, and ensuring clear access to the day tank for manual filling if required. - Improvements to communications facilities between critical areas, including fixed phone line connections between the main control room, main generator control panel in the P (energy) Building, and the generator enclosure, and allowing link to offsite specialist advice. - Where generator maintenance requires operations outdoors (not applicable to main generator, but applicable to others), a shelter over the relevant area should be provided to allow safe work during wet or hot weather. - Written emergency procedures to be prepared covering credible failure scenarios with step by step checklists and recommended actions. |
REC284-1373 | 10 - Infrastructure | Review generator installations details as noted in report and implement physical improvements where possible. |
REC284-1367 | 10 - Infrastructure | Add to generator test procedure a checklist at the end of testing which includes checking that all systems are back to normal positions and includes a requirement to leave the day tank full where there is a bulk tank/day tank arrangement. |
REC284-1372 | 10 - Infrastructure | As part of the electrical master plan update recommended above, a complete and consistent set of single line diagrams describing the electrical distribution network be prepared. Relevant diagrams to be laminated and displayed in the main substations. Labelling to all main electrical equipment be reviewed and updated in accordance with the final documents. |
REC284-1366 | 10 - Infrastructure | A detailed review of the fuel control and BMS systems (for all generators) be carried out and actions taken to: 1) Ensure that the fuel alarm system is operational and properly calibrated, and ensure that the alarms are connected to the BMS. 2) Ensure that the BMS transmits these alarms effectively to the maintenance staff. 3) If this review demonstrates risk of fuel control systems not adequately reporting alarms, consider an independent day tank level switch to be installed in each generator fuel tank, directly connected to the BMS. 4) Consider the feasibility of adding a “fuel system not in auto” or “fuel system fault/fail safe watchdog” or “pre-alarm identifying that the generator is about to shut down without intervention” feature to current systems – subject to details of each individual generator system. |
REC284-1371 | 10 - Infrastructure | Generator dual redundant starter systems should be considered. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC281-1207 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Communicating in Recovery: The Office of Emergency Management: · considers the development of a communications and engagement strategy for major disaster events · progresses the development of the ‘Communicating In Recovery’ Guideline in the Local Recovery Toolkit. |
REC281-1206 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Transition from Response to Recovery: That Region Emergency Management Committees meet post event to: · consider available impact data · determine the need to establish a Recovery Committee · document the rationale for the decision · advise the Office of Emergency Management of the decision. |
REC281-1204 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Transition from Response to Recovery That the Office of Emergency Management, in consultation with the NSW Police Force Emergency Management Unit develops a template for handover of the Response to Recovery Phase of an emergency. |
REC281-1202 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | Impact Assessment Data Collection: The Office of Emergency Management continues to progress the Impact Assessment Data Collection Project and: · incorporate recovery schema in Rapid Impact Assessments · review procedures for collection of Rapid Impact Assessment Data · review and combine current templates into one, single template for Impact Assessment Reports that is used by all agencies · further develop Impact Assessment Guidelines for agency personnel undertaking impact assessments |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC280-1376 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | That the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service establish a regime of frequent mosaic burning within the Warrumbungle National Park, where conditions permit, to be monitored and evaluated via a formal fully funded research program. This program should then inform the Service’s approach to the wider national park estate. |
REC280-1401 | 6 - Insurance and legal liability | That the NSW Government take all reasonable steps to expedite the process of establishing any legal liability for the losses incurred by property owners as a result of the Wambelong fire, and in the event that it is found liable, expedite the process of paying compensation claims. |
REC280-1375 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | That the NSW Government commit to and fund a long term program of prescribed burning based on the recommendation of the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission of an annual rolling target of a minimum of five per cent of public land per year, and that the NSW Government commit to extending the funding for the National Parks and Wildlife Service five year hazard reduction program past 2016. |
REC280-1400 | 6 - Insurance and legal liability | That the Office of State Revenue investigate mechanisms to enhance the affordability of insurance for properties and assets in fire affected areas. |
REC280-1380 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | That the NSW Rural Fire Service investigate mechanisms to enhance the predictability of megafires and how this information is communicated easily to the public. |
REC280-1378 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | That the NSW Rural Fire Service: -improve accountability in relation to the implementation of bush fire risk management plans as a means of delivering more hazard reduction. |
REC280-1377 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | That the NSW Rural Fire Service, in collaboration with the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service, review and improve the system of bush fire management zones to ensure that greater priority is given to hazard reduction on land classified within land management zones. |
REC280-1402 | 6 - Insurance and legal liability | That the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services and NSW Treasury: |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC267-1152 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | Impact Assessment Data Sharing Project |
REC267-1162 | 10 - Infrastructure | Telecommunications and Power Infrastructure |
REC267-1148 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Planning for Recovery Centres Recovery Centres are a proven means of providing support to affected communities. More comprehensive recovery planning is needed at local levels, including the identification of potential Recovery Centre sites in Local EM Plans to help facilitate streamlined establishment of the Centres in future events. Consideration should be given to developing a clear set of standard messaging regarding |
REC267-1161 | 33 - Relief and recovery | VIP Visits |
REC267-1160 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Transition from Response to Recovery |
REC267-1156 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Streamlining NDRRA Grants Processes |
REC267-1155 | 33 - Relief and recovery | MP Recovery Reference Group |
REC267-1163 | 33 - Relief and recovery | Corrections Volunteer Labour Teams |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC261-1517 | 6 - Insurance and legal liability | That the Office of State Revenue investigate mechanisms to enhance the affordability of insurance for properties and assets in fire affected areas. |
REC261-1500 | 10 - Infrastructure | That the NSW Government improve the protection of media and telecommunications towers around New South Wales by: |
REC261-1495 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | That the NSW Rural Fire Service: |
REC261-1520 | 33 - Relief and recovery | That the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services urgently review its policies for the provision of disaster welfare services to ensure that in the event of a bush fire emergency and the declaration of a fire under section 44 of the Rural Fires Act 1997, adequate funding and services, especially recovery centres and mental health services, are provided for an adequate length of time, with gradual transition to normal service delivery when those services are no longer required. |
REC261-1493 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | That the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service establish a regime of frequent mosaic burning within the Warrumbungle National Park, where conditions permit, to be monitored and evaluated via a formal fully funded research program. This program should then inform the Service’s approach to the wider national park estate. |
REC261-1519 | 6 - Insurance and legal liability | That the Ministry for Police and Emergency Services and NSW Treasury: |
REC261-1518 | 6 - Insurance and legal liability | That the NSW Government take all reasonable steps to expedite the process of establishing any legal liability for the losses incurred by property owners as a result of the Wambelong fire, and in the event that it is found liable, expedite the process of paying compensation claims. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC260-1050 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | Alternatively, I recommend that the RFS consider developing such capacity to deploy weather balloons itself, in conjunction with mobile weather stations, for this purpose. |
REC260-1049 | 13 - Mapping and data quality | That the Rural Fire Service consider proposing an arrangement with the Bureau of Meteorology to deploy weather balloons specifically for the purpose of assessing atmospheric instability during periods of severe to catastrophic fire danger in locations most likely to be severely affected, for example, areas in which a very high C-Haines index reading is registered and local fires have been identified. |
REC260-1070 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | The NPWS conduct a review of its prescribed burns program to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, that all necessary managerial approvals for a prescribed burn are provided as promptly as possible. |
REC260-1063 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | That the National Parks and Wildlife Service consider reviewing its guidelines and protocols in respect of hazard reduction planning and burning-off operations in the light of the evidence from experts witnesses in these proceedings that the incidence of, and intensity of, major fires is increasing and in the light of expert evidence given in these proceedings concerning the dangers of vorticity-driven lateral spread. |
REC260-1054 | 2 - Emergency powers | That the Rural Fire Service consider extending pre-emptive section 44 to whole of Castlereagh RFS/Warrumbungle Shire area. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC259-1047 | 6 - Insurance and legal liability | That the insurance industry be asked to include in its “Code of Practice” the need to consult policy holders in bushfire prone areas on the issue of Bushfire Attack Level (BAL). This will ensure, to some extent, that policy holders insure their properties to a level commensurate with building costs under a variety of building standards and requirements.(For checking with RFS). |
REC259-1046 | 33 - Relief and recovery | That prior to the commencement of any major clean-up, firm policy be established and made known to the extent to which material removal will be the responsibility of the home owner, the Council or the State led recovery effort. |
REC259-1043 | 33 - Relief and recovery | That a single victim registration form be designed, which captures all relevant details required for use by any support agency both in the Response Phase at Evacuation centres and during the Recovery Phase. That such documents when completed form part of a wider database which can be accessed by all relevant agencies |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC163-1939 | 2 - Emergency powers | That the Rural Fires Act 1997 be amended to provide to designated Fire Investigation Officers of the Rural Fire Service the power to enter any land upon which a bushfire has occurred for the purposes of investigation for a period of up to 24 hours after a fire has been declared out. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC153-1777 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | That the Minister for Emergency Services and the Minister for Local Government consider the enactment of legislation that would empower Local Government to require the owners or occupiers of rural land to create fire breaks on the land of a kind that Local Government may determine and/or to require the removal of flammable materials from the land, as measures for preventing the outbreak of a bushfire, or for preventing the spread or extension of a bushfire. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC013_3980 | 6 - Insurance and legal liability | To provide that any person desirous of insuring his crops against fire shall first submit his proposal to two responsible persons for their endorsement that, in their opinion, the crop is likely to produce the value for which the insurer proposes to take out the oolicy, and that, in the event of such endorsement not being obtained, the risk be not accepted. |
REC013_3975 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | To burn, where necessary, at least 33 feet where there is a risk of fire, on the outside of the railway fence, in conjunction with the railway employees. |
REC013_3969 | 6 - Insurance and legal liability | The subsidy of such Fire Brigade organisations by the insurance companies and the Government to be given favourable consideration, from a proportion of which the expenses of the Central Administration might be met. |