Dropped the BOM: Tom Tate urges review into communication ‘fumble’

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has called for a “full review” of the nation’s weather forecaster after a fatal storm devastated the city. Read the full story

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate wants a “full review” of the Bureau of Meteorology warning system for what he calls a communication “fumble” about the fatal Christmas night storm.

Mr Tate claimed on Wednesday a severe weather warning issued by the Bureau on Monday night had arrived 15 minutes after the storm was expected to hit the city, causing alert delays.

Mr Tate on Thursday doubled down on his criticism and said timely weather warnings were critical to disaster management.

Mayor Tom Tate addressing media on Wednesday after a freak storm lashed the Gold Coast Christmas night. Picture: Amaani Siddeek

“Make no mistake, the Bureau has done a great job – it’s just delivering the message on time,” he said on Thursday. “In disaster management, we can’t make mistakes,” he said, using a rugby analogy when adding: “If someone in the back line fumbles, we’re going to make sure that we have the A-class back line. So whether its delivery of the message or someone in between, I’ll be encouraging to do a full review.”

It comes after Mr Tate on Wednesday said BOM weather warning timings on Christmas Day were “unforgivable”.

Federal Emergency Minister Senator Murray Watt on Thursday said he agreed Monday’s flash storm had “demonstrated that there are things that can be improved”.

“Having said that, the Bureau of Meteorology was providing warnings in the day leading up to the storms,” Senator Watt said.

BoM predicts severe thunderstorms to keep hitting much of Queensland across Boxing Day 2023. Picture: Bureau of Meteorology

“I’ve got full confidence in the Bureau. I think they do the best they can to give as accurate information to the community and decision makers like us about weather conditions.

“Meteorology is not a perfect science. Sometimes you do deal with weather systems that cannot be predicted.”

Senator Watt said talks were underway with the National Emergency Management Agency regarding communication improvements.

“All three levels of government have got a role here - the federal government, the state and local government, and we want to tighten those systems so we can give people the most accurate, timely information that we can,” he added.

“These events have demonstrated there are things that can be improved at all three levels of government around the delivery of timely information.”

Helensvale woman Robyn Carman, 59, died in the Christmas night storm when hit by a tree just a few hundred metres from her home.