On 26 October 2022, the Queensland Government announced its response to the Independent Review of Queensland Fire and Emergency Services titled “Good Jobs and Better Fire and Emergency Services to Support Queensland’s Great Lifestyle” (the Government Response).
On 14 December 2022, consistent with the recommendations of the Independent Review, the Government has requested the Inspector-General of Emergency Management (IGEM) conduct a review of Queensland’s disaster management arrangements (QDMA) to inform any changes to the arrangements, legislative reforms, or any updates to the State Disaster Management Plan. This review will also inform the transition of disaster management functions to the Queensland Police Service (QPS) and other relevant agencies.
The Office of the IGEM will work closely with the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Queensland Police Service, Queensland Fire and Emergency Services (QFES), Queensland Reconstruction Authority, Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, relevant state agencies involved in disaster management, the State Disaster Coordinator (SDC), the Local Government Association of Queensland, and other relevant stakeholders to obtain information necessary to the Review.
The IGEM has presented a final review report to government for consideration 28 April 2023.
Terms of Reference
The terms of reference for the review can be found here.
In accordance with the functions of the Office of the IGEM (as outlined in the terms of reference), the review will broadly examine the structures and governance relevant to the QDMA including:
- the roles and responsibilities of parties to the arrangements;
- the role and effectiveness of disaster management committees reflected, and not reflected, in the Act including the Queensland Disaster Management Committee, State Disaster Coordination Group, District Disaster Management Groups, Local Disaster Management Groups and recovery focused groups;
- any matters to inform the appropriate allocation of State level disaster management functions across agencies in the context of outcomes from the Independent Review of QFES (noting the transition of the State Emergency Service and volunteer marine rescue functions to the QPS); and
- any matters to inform update of the Act and State Disaster Management Plan to support: implementation of the structural elements of the Government Response; and clarification of roles and responsibilities of committees and parties to the arrangements.
In conducting the Review, the IGEM should ensure examples of good practice and any opportunities for improvement are highlighted in the report along with relevant observations, insights, findings and recommendations.
In addition, the IGEM is requested to consult with appropriate specialists to support the review.
To inform the review, the IGEM will work closely with local, state, and federal agencies, as well as other relevant stakeholders.
Inquiries
Any inquiries regarding the review can be directed to the office of the IGEM via:
- e-mail to QDMA.Review@igem.qld.gov.au; and/or
- post to GPO Box 1425, Mail Cluster 15.7 Brisbane, Queensland 4001
