Response to ‘painful’ Fraser Island fires to be reviewed

Annastacia Palaszczuk has requested the review, with the fires having so far wiped out half of the world heritage-listed landmark’s vegetation.

Fraser Island bushfires have now burnt out half of the world heritage listed landmark’s vegetation. Picture: Glen Winney/Facebook

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has ordered a review of the response to the Fraser Island bushfires that have so far wiped out half of the world heritage-listed landmark’s vegetation.

The blaze began in mid-October as a result of an illegally lit campfire, and has so far burnt more than 82,000 hectares of the 170,000 hectare island.

Ms Palaszczuk told state parliament on Wednesday the sight of the island burning was “painful”.

She said more than a million litres of water had been dumped on the blaze but that was largely ineffective due to the sandy nature of the soil.

“It’s understandable that those who love the island want to be assured that everything that could be done to protect it has and is being done,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“That is why I can confirm the inspector general of emergency management has been instructed to conduct a full review.”

The review would examine all aspects of preparedness and response to the fire, Ms Palaszczuk said.

Queensland Fire and Emergency Services was only given responsibility for the management of the blaze last Friday, six weeks after it broke out.

Until then, Queensland Parks and Wildlife had been the lead agency.

Incident controller, Superintendent James Haigh told The Australian the fire was very challenging to try to contain, because of the environmental and cultural significance of the island.

He said QFES was working closely with the Butchulla Aboriginal Corporation to identify and protect areas of cultural significance, including freshwater lakes.

There were currently 75 firefighters on Fraser Island, along with 30 appliances and 21 aerial assets including a Boeing 737 water tanker.

The massive inferno was continuing to head towards Kingfisher Bay Resort and the neighbouring village, and staff and residents were being urged to leave, with temperatures set to soar into the high 30s on Wednesday.

LNP fire and emergency services spokesman Dale Last said a review fell well short of what was needed to reveal the truth about the fire response.

He said the LNP would push for a full independent inquiry to provide answers.

“There must be a transparent process outside the influence of government,” Mr Last said.

“This has been very poorly managed from the start and multiple government departments must be held to account.

“Business operators, residents and tourists are rightfully angry with the government’s slow response and they deserve answers not excuses.”

He said tourism had copped a hammering in 2020, and the fires were causing more financial pain to the Fraser Coast region, just weeks out from the busy Christmas holiday period.

“Fraser Island is a Queensland icon that has been badly let down by a Labor government who’ve failed to plan for fire scenarios like the one currently unfolding,” said Mr Last.