Premier announces new inquiry into deadly Grantham flood
A NEW inquiry into the 2011 Grantham flood that killed 12 people was announced by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in Parliament today.
News
Don't miss out on the headlines from News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
A NEW inquiry into the 2011 Grantham floods that killed 12 people was announced by Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk in Parliament today.
Ms Palaszcsuk said the Commission of Inquiry was needed after a recent report into the flooding tragedy highlighted "several inconsistencies" in the findings of the initial Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry.
"The report has found that a section of embankment that collapsed at the Grantham quarry was 260 metres long - not 55 metres as initially reported by the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry," she said.
"This DHI report has found there were also multiple breaches of the quarry wall rather than just a single breach."
RELATED
Ms Palaszcsuk said the people of Grantham wanted the truth.
The commission, which will be chaired by QC Walter Sofronoff, will start gathering evidence next week.
It will end on August 31.
"It is proposed that the consultation phase of the Inquiry will be limited to about two weeks but I stress that this Inquiry will be independent," Ms Palaszcsuk said.
The inquiry will focus on five key terms of reference:
- the impacts of man-made and natural features of the landscape which could have altered or contributed to the flooding;
- whether the existence or breach of the Grantham quarry caused or contributed to the flooding
- whether the quarry had a material impact on the damage caused,
- whether the breach of the quarry had implications for the evacuation of the town and
- how these matters were initially investigated and how eyewitness accounts were dealt with in the aftermath.
The inquiry will take public submissions and eyewitness accounts, including from police officers, fire and emergency staff and Wagners, which owned the quarry
"The people of Grantham have suffered through an horrific, terrifying, fatal event," Ms Palaszcsuk said.
"They deserve and require further closure. They want the truth to prevail.
"And they want to move on with their lives in the wake of one of the most appalling natural disasters in Queensland's modern history - and my government is determined to help them achieve that."
Wagners managing director Denis Wagner said his family had no issues or concerns with the inquiry.
"If anything we will welcome it as it will bring closure to the issue once and for all," he said.
"It is clear by hydrology studies that the Grantham (quarry) reduced the impact of the flood.
"Subsequent reports in The Australian newspaper were not based on engineering facts but comments made by media personalities and politicians.''
Originally published as Premier announces new inquiry into deadly Grantham flood
Qld mum allegedly strangled in ‘murderous rage’ before husband staged mower crash
A Queensland mother who was allegedly strangled by her husband in a “murderous rage” felt scared a year before she was found dead next to a lawnmower at their home.
Two Toowoomba bus drivers named the best in the state
Queensland’s best bus drivers have been named and two of them hail from Toowoomba. Find out how these drivers have stolen the hearts of their passengers:
Will robots replace kelpies in the future?
A glimpse into what AI and robotics could mean for the future of Australia’s humble working dog has gone viral, however one of the nation’s top working dog trainers says it’ll be a long road until kelpies are put out to pasture.
Easter came early for thousands of chocolate fanatics
For the ninth row in a year, Toowoomba’s RE/MAX team hosted a free family-fun event to give back to the community and put a smile on thousands of children’s faces in the lead up to Easter with the help of 105,000 chocolate eggs.
‘Blood will spurt’: Thug holds ex-partner captive with sword
A Toowoomba woman endured a night of terror while her ex-partner “effectively” held her “captive” and threatened to chop her up with a samurai sword, a court heard.
Qld cop speaks of “heartbreaking” flood aftermath
A resilient and longstanding police officer who put his life on the line to support his western Queensland community through the devastating floods is now helping frontline services with the clean-up.