Inquiry Search
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC321-4217 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | We recommend that DELWP in partnership with Country Fire Authority and Fire Rescue Victoria develops, implements and publicly reports on a holistic suite of performance metrics to demonstrate: - the impact that planned burning has on public and private land on bushfire risk - the impact that planned burning has on public and private land on ecosystem resilience - the impact that non-burn fuel management activities have on public and private land on bushfire risk - the impact that its activities at local and regional levels have on bushfire risk - the cost-effectiveness of its fuel management activities on public and private land. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC319-4190 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | Humanitarian relief: The Inspector-General for Emergency Management recommends that the Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions work with the Municipal Association of Victoria and councils to build contingencies into emergency relief centre planning to ensure places of shelter are inclusive, recognise diversity and are better placed to support all displaced people in circumstances of: |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC318-4180 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | The Inspector-General for Emergency Management recommends that Victoria Police – in collaboration with the community and the emergency management sector – reflect on events of the 2019–20 fire season to review and enhance evacuation plans and processes with consideration of: |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC317-4090 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | State and territory governments should, as a priority, adopt nationally consistent terminology and functions for the different sheltering facilities, including evacuation centres, Neighbourhood Safer Places, places of last resort and natural disaster shelters. |
REC317-4067 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | State and territory governments should have a structured process to regularly assess the capacity and capability requirements of fire and emergency services, in light of both current and future natural disaster risk. |
REC317-4062 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | The National Disaster Risk Information Services Capability should include tools and systems to support operational and strategic decision making, including integrated climate and disaster risk scenarios tailored to various needs of relevant industry sectors and end users. |
REC317-4089 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | State and territory governments should ensure that those responsible for evacuation planning periodically review those plans, and update them where appropriate, including in relation to: |
REC317-4061 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Australian, state and territory governments should support the implementation of the National Disaster Risk Information Services Capability and aligned climate adaptation initiatives. |
REC317-4093 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | State and territory governments should ensure those responsible for evacuation planning periodically review those plans, and update where appropriate, to provide for coordination between states and territories in cross border areas and to provide cross-border access to evacuation centres. |
REC317-4088 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | State and territory governments should ensure that those responsible for evacuation planning periodically review those plans, and update them where appropriate, including in relation to: |
REC317-4057 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | The Australian Government should establish a standing entity that will enhance national natural disaster resilience and recovery, focused on long-term disaster risk reduction. |
REC317-4092 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | State and territory governments should ensure those responsible for evacuation planning periodically review these plans, and update them where appropriate, to account for the existence and standard of any evacuation centres and safer places (however described) in the community, including: |
REC317-4103 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Australian, state and territory governments should develop arrangements that facilitate greater inclusion of primary healthcare providers in disaster management, including: representation on relevant disaster committees and plans and providing training, education and other supports. |
REC317-4091 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | State and territory governments should provide further community education on the function and limitations of different sheltering facilities, including evacuation centres, Neighbourhood Safer Places, places of last resort and natural disaster shelters. This education should be nationally consistent. |
REC317-4079 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Australian, state and territory governments, in consultation with local governments and the private sector, should review supply chain risks, and consider options to ensure supply of essential goods in times of natural disasters. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC301-2392 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | TFS should engage in discussions with government about the construction of purpose-built State Control Centre facilities for emergency management in Tasmania. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC299-1347 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | In order to manage a reduced time window available to undertake the current types of planned burns, alternative methods, including the indigenous mosaic ‘cool’ burns, should be examined and trialled as they may extend the period in which planned burns can be undertaken while reducing overall risk and fuel loads. |
REC299-1341 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | That in conjunction with a risk‑based approach, a minimum hectare target is also maintained that can be measured and compared. This minimum target should not be below the 5% target established by the Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC291-1235 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | The Department of Parks and Wildlife to continue emphasis on landscape hazard reduction burning with the annual objective of treating 140,000 hectares per annum in Land Management Zone C. In combination with Recommendation 2 (above) the strategic objective will be that a fuel age of less than six years will be maintained across 45% of the landscape on State Forest, National Parks and other Parks and Wildlife managed lands in the South West and Perth Hills. This will address the current backlog (created from under achievements of the recent two decades of burn programs) by the end of the 2020-2021 burning season (i.e. within the next 5 years). |
REC291-1234 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | The Department of Parks and Wildlife to plan for the highest priority hazard reduction burning effort around settlements and critical assets in the South West and Perth Hills. The annual objective is to treat a total of 60,000 hectares of priority hazard reduction per annum, comprising 20,000 hectares per annum of Land Management Zone A and 40,000 hectares per year of Land Management Zone B. |
REC291-1244 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | The Department of Fire and Emergency Services to work with the Department of Planning and Local Governments to adopt a policy which enables Local Governments to identify, register and communicate, ‘Places of Bushfire Last Resort’ in settlements and townsites where the life risk from bushfire is very high or greater. |
REC291-1237 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | The Department of Fire and Emergency Services, utilising the Office of Bushfire Risk Management, to develop a simplified and fast track hazard reduction burn (and other fuel mitigation techniques) planning and approval process to ensure the timely conduct of township and asset protection burns by Bush Fire Brigades and individual property owners. The process is to be agile and adaptable for the range of stakeholders which may participate in low risk, small scale, low complexity burn planning and approvals. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC288-1195 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | The Committee finds that on the evidence presented, that the Fuel Reduction Burn Program should be maintained and have its budget directly funded to ensure that the program continues and does not hinder other services or programs. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC286-1468 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Identify and anlalyse the location of critical infrastructure within defined flood areas. |
REC286-1472 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | Develop flood evacuation plans for at risk communities. |
REC286-1448 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Utilise coastal mapping to assess need for coastal defences. |
REC286-2049 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Pro-actively manage landslide areas. |
REC286-1463 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Develop enablers and capacity for Tasmanian earthquake risk owners. |
REC286-2054 | 40 - Equipment and consumables | Personal protective equipment (masks, gowns, gloves, goggles) – review supply/distribution arrangements. |
REC286-1454 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | Review coastal inundation evacuation and response plans. |
REC286-1441 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | Continue the Fuel Reduction Program. |
REC286-1447 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Assess vulnerability of ecosystems and species to coastal inundation. |
REC286-2017 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Improve maintenance of flood mitigation infrastructure. |
REC286-2071 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | Implement a social marking program to promote improved respiratory etiquette and hygiene. |
REC286-1461 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Review all hazards response and recovery plans to ensure they address likely earthquake consequences. |
REC286-2089 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Identify and analyse statewide storm hazard risk. |
REC286-2053 | 40 - Equipment and consumables | Personal protective equipment (masks, gowns, gloves, goggles) – enhance stocktake methods. |
REC286-2055 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | Personal protective equipment (masks, gowns, gloves, goggles) – review fit-testing vs fit-checking. |
REC286-1455 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Assess options for managed coastal retreat. |
REC286-2081 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Engage with industry bodies to explore opportunities to better understand and manage risks. |
REC286-2021 | 40 - Equipment and consumables | Review temporary bridge stockpile for adequacy (DSG). |
REC286-1478 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Review environmental risks associated with hazardous uses within flood prone areas. |
REC286-2026 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | Identify facilities that can be used as cool spaces during heatwaves and establish linkages between operators and emergency management organisations |
REC286-1452 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Improve understanding of the allocation of ownership across government, business and individuals. |
REC286-2066 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Advocate for an National Notifiable Diseases Database. |
REC286-1469 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Actively manage riparian vegetation to manage flood dynamics. |
REC286-1450 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Improve the understanding of the vulnerability of critical infrastructure. |
REC286-2056 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Review Ambulance Tasmania surge capacity. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC263-1092 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | CFA and VICSES should: implement risk management processes within regions, districts, brigades and units to understand and manage the local risks associated with their volunteer workforces |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC258-2560 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | The Civil Aviation Safety Authority devolve to Designated Aviation Medical Examiners the ability to renew aviation medical certificates (for Classes 1, 2, and 3) where the applicant meets the required standard at the time of the medical examination. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC247-0888 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | That arrangements are made and appropriate pre-planning occurs to effectively implement the policy on evacuation. |
REC247-0887 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | That qualifying the evacuation authority in section 47 of the Fire Service Act 1979 be considered — by exempting those people with a pecuniary interest in a property from a directed evacuation where it is reasonable for them to remain. |
REC247-0886 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | That a state-level policy on evacuations be developed in the emergency management plans, including specific requirements for vulnerable people and guidelines for its implementation. |
REC247-0939 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | That Tasmania Fire Service conducts a review of the fire permit system in the Fire Service Act 1979, and implements change to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the system by: • considering whether it is appropriate to authorise persons or organisations to conduct fuel reduction burning during a permit period • providing a better match between the period, area and fire risk • maintaining a timely and efficient process for issuing permits • naming the period in a way that draws attention to bushfire risk • establishing a reporting and accountability process. |
REC247-0901 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | That evacuation centres and other centres have plans and arrangements for electrical power redundancy. |
REC247-0938 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | That Tasmania Fire Service or another suitable agency provides information to the community which shows, in simple form, the legislation applicable to approvals for lighting fires on private property and the various relationships between that legislation. |
REC247-0890 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | That decisions to open Community Fire Refuges and evacuation centres be coordinated with Tasmania Police. |
REC247-0889 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | That Tasmania Police be identified as the lead agency on evacuations. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC229-2840 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | The committee recommends relevant authorities work with community service organisations in both planning responses to and responding to extreme weather events, in particular those organisations that provide vital services to vulnerable groups. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC226-0543 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | There should be clearly established criteria for burns which are specially challenging, and these criteria need to extend beyond the intended boundaries of the prescribed burn. |
REC226-0592 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | Decisions on evacuations need to be made early enough for people to be fully informed, prepared and to move to a place of greater safety. Failure to conduct good planning can create situations where loss of life can occur |
REC226-0542 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | A risk management approach is needed which considers risks both inside the prescribed burn and the risks that will need to be managed if the fire escapes. This risk assessment should be dynamic in line with the four day and seven day weather forecast. |
REC226-0553 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | Rolling risk assessment conducted during ignition of prescribed burns should identify whether an escape is likely to develop into a Level 3 incident. As soon as possible after it has been identified that the escape cannot be contained, the incident should be declared a Level 3. |
REC226-0544 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | Prescribed burns which meet the ‘red flag’ criteria should have mandated risk Establish risk management criteria for management criteria imposed. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC223-0515 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | The Department of Environment and Conservation urgently undertake a review of its risk management practices as they relate to prescribed burns including but not limited to: *reviewing risk management practices to ensure that they are in accordance with AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009; * finalising and implementing the new complexity model developed in house by the DEC; * considering a broader set of parameters of risk by conducting an environmental scan or similar tool for areas under consideration for a prescribed burn; *updating the prescribed fire plans to reflect the broader risk considerations discovered through environmental scanning; *better informing the risk considerations by updating the ‘Red Book’ to reflect current research on burning in coastal heath; and * reconsidering the utility of the ‘Red Flag Burn’ notification on files and either adopting it as a policy across the State or removing it as a consideration. |
REC223-0514 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | The Department of Environment and Conservation review its current policies and operational guidelines in particular by: * strengthening the governance of operations by ensuring the Guidelines are relevant and practical; * ensuring the processes that are implemented for prescribed burns are: (a) value adding to the decisions and approvals required (b) informed by substantive input (c) focussed on outcome rather than process; *completing the draft management plan for the Leeuwin-Naturaliste Capes Area Parks and Reserves in accordance with the provisions of the Conservation and Land Management Act 1989; * exploring the possibility of automating and streamlining the various processes for formulating a prescription for prescribed burns for ease of access and updating; and * clarifying the guidance provided to decision makers as to the ‘edging’ and security of prescribed burns. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC222-1852 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | The Minister for Health immediately establish the road trauma counselling service to be funded by the Road Trauma Trust Account. |
REC222-1850 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | The Ministers for Emergency Services, Environment and Police ensure that their departments develop as a high priority a computer system for tracking their staff and the number of traumatic events they have attended over a particular period. |
REC222-1849 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | Departmental chief executives of the Western Australia Police, Department of Environment and Conservation and the Fire and Emergency Services Authority should be made personally responsible for the psychological health (as a result of critical incident trauma) of their staff and volunteers. This obligation should be reflected in their performance agreements. |
REC222-1848 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | The Western Australian Government amend current State occupational health and safety legislation so that it includes a definition for ‘health’ that includes psychological health. |
REC222-1859 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | The Attorney General and the Ministers for Health and Mental Health fund their departments to establish a peer support program by the end of 2013 for their staff undertaking stressful tasks during a disaster or critical incident. |
REC222-1858 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | The Ministers for Environment, Police, Child Protection and Emergency Services fund additional chaplaincy services, particularly for staff and volunteers based in rural and regional Western Australia. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC217-1826 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | A revised Victoria Flood Management Strategy should identify and assign roles and responsibilities for the management and ongoing maintenance of Victoria’s waterways, for the purposes of flood protection and flood mitigation: |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC215-1877 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Regulators can help to achieve improved outcomes by considering the issues identified by this review |
REC215-1876 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Fire services can improve outcomes by initiating discussions with landfill operators about fire management planning and emphasising the critical importance of water supplies and early intervention |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC207-2882 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Review disaster recovery and business continuity plans. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC204-1908 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | As part of the current revision of its contract template for sponsorship agreements, Tourism WA should ensure that: |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC203-0277 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | A risk-management approach is needed which considers risks both inside the prescribed burn and the risks that will need to be managed if the fire escapes. The risk assessment should be organised and in line with the four and seven day weather. |
REC203-0282 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | The burn prescription should capture the fuel characteristics and potential rate of spread for those areas outside the burn that will likely be critical during the initial attack on any escaping fire. |
REC203-0276 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | There should be clearly established criteria for burns which are specially challenging, and these criteria need to extend beyond the intended boundaries of the prescribed burn. The criteria should be clarified and adopted as agency S OPs. |
REC203-0281 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | Prescriptions need to be interpreted by experienced and knowledgeable personnel to ensure risk is fully understood. It is important that the background and justification for these decisions are captured at each stage and are visible to all levels in WA fire management hierarchy. |
REC203-0286 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | Decisions taken on the basis of this risk assessment need to be captured and distributed across district and state. |
REC203-0280 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | Contingency plans for escaping burns should be prepared in advance. |
REC203-0285 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | A rolling risk assessment is required which captures the risks of the burn escaping and provides adequate resources. |
REC203-0307 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | When people are being moved away from their homes it’s important that they move to a place of greater safety and that their movement is relatively assured. |
REC203-0279 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | Once a burn is ignited, it needs to be the subject of continuing risk assessment and appropriate mitigation. |
REC203-0284 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | DEC should investigate embedding an experienced forecaster in the state operations centre. |
REC203-0278 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | Prescriptions should mandate consideration of measures to retire risk. |
REC203-0283 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | Core ignition, particularly of red flag burns, should be informed by the 4 & 7 day forecasts (including a longer term perspective over 3 to 4 months) |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC201-0257 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | FESA needs to place greater priority on the appointment of Safety Advisors to Level 3 incidents as is reflected in WESTPLAN Bushfire. |
REC201-0259 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | FESA seek legal and policing advice regarding the policy to leave residents who chose not to evacuate in a declared ‗dangerous area‘ after a bushfire. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC200-0351 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority, the Department of Environment and Conservation and local governments take proactive steps to conduct their prescribed burning programs as joint exercises. This will give effect to: Reducing fuel load Improving inter-operability A mutual understanding of the fire fighting techniques of each agency. |
REC200-1691 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | The State Government consider resourcing the Department of Environment and Conservation and local governments to develop and administer a comprehensive prescribed burning program in Perth‟s urban/rural interface to compliment DEC's existing landscape-scale program. |
REC200-0350 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | The State Government consider resourcing the Department of Environment and Conservation and local governments to develop and administer a comprehensive prescribed burning program in Perth’s urban/rural interface to compliment DEC’s existing landscape-scale program. |
REC200-1722 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Emergency Management Western Australia and the State Emergency Management Committee amend WESTPLAN-BUSHFIRE to require State Emergency Coordination Group meetings to be held at the State Coordination Centre in West Leederville. |
REC200-0374 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | Hazard Management Agencies overseeing the response to incidents on the urban fringe select evacuation centres that are well within the urban environment and unlikely to be impacted by the incident. |
REC200-1698 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority, the Department of Environment and Conservation and local governments jointly develop a single, integrated system for fuel load assessment and management. |
REC200-0356 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | The State Government reaffirm its 2009 decision to approve DEC exercising greater flexibility in managing smoke within national guidelines, in order to achieve its prescribed burn program. |
REC200-1714 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | Hazard Management Agencies overseeing the response to incidents on the urban fringe select evacuation centres that are well within the urban environment and unlikely to be impacted by the incident. |
REC200-1705 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA) review its program to decommission vehicles and ensure that when such vehicles are offered during an incident that FESA staff adhere to FESA‟s own policy of „Use of Private Vehicles in Fires‟ |
REC200-1692 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | The Fire and Emergency Services Authority, the Department of Environment and Conservation and local governments take proactive steps to conduct their prescribed burning programs as joint exercises. This will give effect to: |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC193-0227 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | Local government councils implement a zoning approach to fuel management as recommended by COAG 2004. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC189-2912 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | The review team recommend that the safety case system be strengthened by including provisions for a design notification scheme along the lines of that under the British Offshore Safety Case Regulations. |
REC189-2911 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | The review team recommend that: |
REC189-2907 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | a) For the purposes of designing and implementing its regulatory activities, National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) should continue to identify priority hazards and risks and their underlying causes, in consultation with the NOPSA Advisory Board and stakeholders (see Theme 9, Stakeholder engagement). |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC182-0133 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | FESA reviews its approach to safety and safety culture. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC181-0154 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | The State introduce a comprehensive approach to shelter options that includes the following: ■ developing standards for community refuges as a matter of priority and replacing the 2005 Fire Refuges in Victoria: Policy and Practice; ■ designating community refuges—particularly in areas of very high risk—where other bushfire safety options are limited; ■ working with municipal councils to ensure that appropriate criteria are used for bushfire shelters, so that people are not discouraged from using a bushfire shelter if there is no better option available; ■ acknowledging personal shelters around their homes as a fallback option for individuals. |
REC181-0155 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | The State introduce a comprehensive approach to evacuation, so that this option is planned, considered and implemented when it is likely to offer a higher level of protection than other contingency options. The approach should: ■ encourage individuals—especially vulnerable people—to relocate early; ■ include consideration of plans for assisted evacuation of vulnerable people; ■ include consideration of plans for assisted evacuation of vulnerable people. |
REC181-0207 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | The Department of Sustainability and Environment report annually on prescribed burning outcomes in a manner that meets public accountability objectives, including publishing details of targets, area burnt, funds expended on the program, and impacts on biodiversity. |
REC181-0176 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | The Country Fire Authority and the Department of Sustainability and Environment adopt the title ‘safety officer’ (as opposed to ‘safety adviser’) and require without exception that a safety officer be appointed to every level 3 incident management team. |
REC181-0206 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | The State fund and commit to implementing a long-term program of prescribed burning based on an annual rolling target of 5 per cent minimum of public land. |
REC181-0151 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | The State revise its bushfire safety policy. While adopting the national Prepare. Act. Survive. framework in Victoria, the policy should do the following: ■ enhance the role of warnings—including providing for timely and informative advice about the predicted passage of a fire and the actions to be taken by people in areas potentially in its path; ■ emphasise that all fires are different in ways that require an awareness of fire conditions, local circumstances and personal capacity; ■ recognise that the heightened risk on the worst days demands a different response; ■ retain those elements of the existing bushfire policy that have proved effective; ■ strengthen the range of options available in the face of fire, including community refuges, bushfire shelters and evacuation; ■ ensure that local solutions are tailored and known to communities through local bushfire planning; ■ improve advice on the nature of fire and house defendability, taking account of broader landscape risks. |
REC181-0174 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | The Country Fire Authority and the Department of Sustainability and Environment amend their procedures for investigating safety incidents and ‘near-misses’ to ensure that all dangerous incidents, including back-burns, are fully investigated and that all relevant people are consulted and informed of the results. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC177-3294 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | Perceived time and cost savings relating to any matters impacting upon well control should be subjected to rigorous safety assessment. |
REC177-3285 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Pre‐drilling assessments should include a risk assessment of the worst‐case blowout scenario. |
REC177-3356 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | The regulator should pre‐assess and review in a generic sense, and in conjunction with the offshore petroleum industry, available options for well control in the event of a blowout. Being ‘match fit’ in this sense will enable a quicker and more effective response in terms of safety assessment, and will ensure that expectations of both operator and regulator are more readily aligned. |
REC177-3278 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | Well construction and management plans should include provision(s) for reviewing the integrity of barriers at safety‐critical times or milestones, such as (i) prior to suspension involving departure of the rig from the platform; (ii) prior to re‐entry of a well after suspension; (iii) prior to removal of any barrier. |
REC177-3293 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | If a dispute arises between a licensee and a rig operator in relation to a well control issue, and is not resolved between them, the matter must be raised with the relevant regulator before discretionary operations proceed. |
REC177-3321 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | Careful consideration must be given to equipment compatibility as part of well construction design. |
REC177-3330 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Decision‐making about well control issues should be professionalised. Industry participants must recognise that decision‐makers owe independent duties to the public, not just their employer or principal, in relation to well control. Risk management in the context of well control needs to be understood as an ethical/professional duty. Self‐regulation contemplates self‐regulation by the industry, not just by individual licensees and operators. |
REC177-3288 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | As soon as a risk of barrier failure arises, no other activities should take place in the well other than those directed to removal of the risk. |
REC177-3303 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | Tracking and analysis of cementing problems/failures should occur to assess industry trends, principal causes, remedial techniques and so on. |
REC177-3291 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Removal of a barrier must be the subject of consultation between licensees and rig operators prior to removal. A proper risk assessment should be carried out and agreed upon, and documented in writing before removal. Joint written certification as to the appropriateness of removal should take place before removal. Senior onshore representatives of stakeholder entities should be involved in that certification process. |
REC177-3282 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | If a risk assessment or compliance review is triggered by the happening of a predetermined event, specific consideration should be given to whether a ‘hold point’ should be introduced such that work must cease until the problem is resolved (and the subject of appropriate certification). |
REC177-3299 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | Regulatory approval to rely on only one barrier should not be given unless (i) a proper risk assessment is carried out; (ii) exceptional circumstances exist; and (iii) risks involved are reduced to ‘as low as reasonably practicable’. The default position must be that well integrity must be assured. |
REC177-3289 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | The use/type of barriers (including any change requests relating thereto) must be the subject of consultation between licensees and rig operators prior to installation. A proper risk assessment should be carried out, agreed upon, and documented in writing before installation. Joint written certification as to the appropriateness of the use of particular barriers should take place before installation. Senior onshore representatives of stakeholder entities should be involved in that certification process. |
REC177-3281 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | Wellbore gas bubbling should be regarded as a trigger for independent review of well integrity. Industry and regulators should identify and document other triggers. |
REC177-3295 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | Wells drilled into hydrocarbon zones should be treated as live wells, with the potential to blowout unless a documented risk assessment establishes otherwise. |
REC177-3286 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | Problems which arise in the course of installing barriers must be the subject of consultation between licensees, rig operators, and contractors (if used). A proper risk assessment should then be carried out and remedial steps (including further testing/verification) should be agreed upon, and documented in writing before the performance of remedial work whenever practicable. Joint written certification as to resolution of the problem should take place before resumption of drilling operations. Senior onshore representatives of stakeholder entities should be involved in that certification process. |
REC177-3279 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | Well construction and management plans, and drilling programs, should include provision for testing and verifying the integrity of all barriers as soon as practicable after installation. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC176-0147 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | The Commonwealth encourages further research into prescribed burning and its effectiveness and into alternative bushfire mitigation approaches through improved bushfire risk understanding at the asset level. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC174-2984 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | To improve Centrelink’s preparedness for responding to future disasters, the ANAO recommends that Centrelink include disasters that impact on multiple Areas in its emergency and business continuity test exercise program. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC172-0030 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | A strategically located Staging Area serviced with check in/out personnel should be considered as early as possible at incidents involving an extended attack. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC155-3465 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | That in order to enhance the protection of community and ecological assets, the Department of Sustainability and Environment increase its annual prescribed burning target from 130,000 hectares to 385,000 hectares. This should be treated as a rolling target, with any shortfalls to be made up in subsequent years. |
REC155-3464 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | That the Department of Sustainability and Environment implement remote sensing imagery as a routine part of its pre-burn and post-burn assessment process for prescribed burning. Maps of every prescribed burn should be produced in a similar format to those used in Western Australia, indicating the boundary of each burn and the varying fire intensities achieved within the burn area. The boundaries of all Fuel Management Zones within each burn should also be indicated. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC149-3139 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | The industry should develop in conjunction with the Regulator a process for addressing the need to maintain the risk profile of a facility moving into extended life operation at the same risk profile as when it was within design life. |
REC149-3147 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | As all stakeholders have responsibility for safe outcomes, decisions regarding target subjects for safety promotion need to have the support of all stakeholders including NOPSA and the workforce. Industry, which ultimately has the responsibility for managing risk as well as funding the promotion, should take a leadership role in implementation. |
REC149-3144 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | The Safety Case proponent should be allowed some flexibility to involve appropriate experience matched with the proposed workforce competencies to enable the Safety Case to be developed with value adding processes. Subsequent to the hiring of the workforce Final Government Response Offshore Petroleum Safety Regulation Inquiry and 2008 Review of NOPSA Operational Activities and preferably before the commencement of operations a review of the Safety Case should take place with the new workforce to ensure they understand the accepted Safety Case, its risks and Safety Management Plan. |
REC149-3135 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | The initial acceptance of a new facility Safety Case should be in conjunction with inspection of a facility upon commencement of operations. |
REC149-3128 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | National Offshore Petroleum Safety Authority (NOPSA) should develop guidelines in consultation with stakeholders to provide clarity and consistency to the process which ultimately will result in better safety outcomes. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC148-3181 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | That Biosecurity Australia undertake and complete within 12 months a non-regulated but formal import risk analysis relating to the importation of horses from the countries and regions from which Australia currently permits such importation, and make such recommendations for any changes to policies for importation as are warranted by its risk analysis to the officer responsible for the importation of horses and the Executive Director of AQIS. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
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REC145-3227 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | The Committee recommends that coastal based Natural Resource Management bodies seeking funding under the Caring for our Country program have coastal and marine priorities, as well as coastal zone management principles integrated in their management plans. |
REC145-3210 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | The Committee recommends that the Department of Climate Change, in collaboration with the Queensland Government, CSIRO and Indigenous communities in the Torres Strait, undertake a major study into the vulnerability of the Torres Strait to the impacts of climate change and provide assistance in the development of an adaptation plan. |
REC145-3209 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | The Committee notes that major initiatives relating to climate change adaptation risk assessment and infrastructure are currently in progress. Given that much of Australia’s infrastructure is in the coastal zone and the particular threats facing the coastal zone from climate change, involving significant socioeconomic costs, the Committee recommends that the Australian Government ensure there is a comprehensive national assessment of coastal infrastructure vulnerability to inundation from sea level rise and extreme sea level events. |
REC145-3203 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | The Committee recommends that: |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC124-3884 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | Develop new prescriptions for prescribed burning to accommodate local conditions in those areas where standard prescriptions are assessed to be inappropriate: |
REC124-3885 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | Align policies and processes, within the year round 365 day focus on fire management, to provide consistency in the approach to fire regardless of its origins,- that is fuel reduction burning, regeneration and ecological burning or unplanned fire; |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC116-2116 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | The working group recommends that a similar project to the Review of Australia's Ability to Respond to and Recover from Catastrophic Disasters be established to consider the longer term consequences of catastrophic disasters and their resulting recovery implications. Key aspects of such a review would include: |
REC116-2104 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | The Working Group recommends that in addition to existing disease control and pandemic management plans, States/Territories should consider developing a pandemic emergency management plan that considers the impact of pandemic disease broadly, encompasses all government and private sector agencies and addresses: |
REC116-2127 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | The Working Group recommends that the Australian Government and the States/Territories use the survey templates compiled in each of their jurisdictions during the capability review workshops, and the scenarios to consider their current and future capabilities, to respond to and recover from large scale disasters. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC113-3904 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | FESA should: in addition to its current initiatives, develop and implement structured programs (with clearly identified objectives, target groups and time lines for achievement) aimed at: |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC104-2270 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | That DSE and CFA continue to stress firefighter safety as their highest priority for incident managers and fire ground supervisors |
REC104-2251 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | That Victoria Police ensure all police members understand the Victorian legislation in relation to evacuation, and that any decision to recommend evacuation remains with the Incident Controller. |
REC104-2325 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | That CFA, DSE and MFESB continue to develop the partnership approach for fire safety with Local Government, industry and communities. |
REC104-2203 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | That CFA further develops the information supporting the decision to stay or go, to incorporate a better understanding of both the likely consequences of leaving home at inappropriate times, and the conditions and |
REC104-2317 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | That DSE, with adequate resourcing, moves to a 12-month cycle of fire management to establish and maintain a more appropriate and balanced work program of prevention/mitigation and suppression. |
REC104-2189 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | That DSE and CFA as part of their long term planning, and in conjunction with the Commonwealth Bureau of Meteorology, consider ways in which evidence for climate change and El Niño–Southern Oscillation cycle impacts on the likelihood of unplanned fire, can be better incorporated into preparedness and response planning. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC098-2151 | 29 - Operational Health and Safety | The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth Attorney-General engage the Commonwealth, states and territories in a review of occupational health and safety legislation as it affects the proper and effective functioning of bush fire services. |
REC098-2181 | 11 - Evacuation and shelters | The Committee recommends that the Australasian Fire Authorities Council’s suggested evacuation protocol be adopted by all of the Australian States and Territories. |
REC098-2177 | 39 - Disaster Risk Management | The Committee recommends that state and territory governments be required to regularly perform risk assessments to the land within their jurisdictions to ensure that bushfire prone areas are accurately identified |
REC098-2142 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | The Committee recommends that the Commonwealth seek to ensure that the Council of Australian Governments seek agreement from the states and territories on the optimisation and implementation of prescribed burning targets and programs to a degree that is recognised as adequate for the protection of life, property and the environment. The prescribed burning programs should include strategic evaluation of fuel management at the regional level and the results of annual fuel management in each state should be publicly reported and audited. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC019-4152 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | The Forests Department make every endeavour to improve and extend the practice of control burning to ensure that the forests receive the maximum protection practicable consistent with silvicultural requirements. |
REC019-4143 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | It be made clear to all fire control officers that the conditions for burning prescribed in the Bush Fires Act are minimal only, and that it is their duty to prescribe such further conditions as will ensure that should unfavourable weather conditions un-expectedly develop a situation would not arise which the local bush fire control organisation could not reasonably be expected to handle. |
REC019-4142 | 5 - Hazard reduction burns | Landowners desiring to carry out developmental burns be required to inform the local authority sufficiently early to enable that body to direct them or request the local bush fire brigade to carry out protective burning around the area before the prohibited season starts. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC008-3988 | 40 - Equipment and consumables | The Commission recommends that buckets of sand or other apparatus for extinguishing fire be kept in any chamber where high powered electricity is used. |
Rec-ID | Code | Recommendation |
---|---|---|
REC004-3997 | 40 - Equipment and consumables | That suitable metal receptacles be fitted under the spittoons of all smoking compartments of country trains, to receive pipe ashes, lighted tobacco, cigars, cigarettes, matches, or other inflammable matter used by smokers. |