Burning questions remain after Fraser Island fire review released

In the wake of the release of the review into the bushfires that burned through half of Fraser Island last year, questions still remain, according to the Shadow Minister for Fire and Emergency Services.

Smoke rises from a massive fire burning on Fraser Island last year. Photo: Glen Winney

In the wake of the release of the review into the bushfires that burned through half of Fraser Island last year, questions still remain, according to Shadow Minister for Fire and Emergency Services Dale Last.

The report regarding the fire was handed down on Thursday, highlighting missed opportunities to bring the fire under control.

That included water bombing, which was rejected by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service just three days after the blaze was started by an illegal campfire on October 14.

Despite the government offering full support to 24 of the 38 recommendations, Mr Last said issues that have been raised in previous reviews were still affecting Queensland’s response to the threat of bushfires.

“Time and time again the Labor government has been told of the importance of planning, hazard reduction, inter-agency communication and clear lines of responsibility,” Mr Last said.

“The K’gari incident highlights not just the importance of those issues but also shows that the government has not fully implemented the recommendations of previous inquiries.”

“The 2019 bushfire review suggested that prioritising preparation and hazard reduction needed to be controlled at a local level and that empowering local groups would reduce the risk of fire.

“On K’gari the indigenous people, and the wider community, were not properly engaged with which means that the 2019 recommendation has been basically ignored.”

Mr Last said that while mitigation and hazard reduction was important, sharing of information was also identified as a key area for improvement.

The burnt aftermath of the bushfire on world heritage listed Fraser Island. Pic Lyndon Mechielsen

“I am very concerned by the fact that the government has only supported the recommendation to make Mitigation Plans and Risk Mapping available to the public,” Mr Last said.

“A key part of the community preparing for and reacting to an emergency is having access to information they need but the government seems reluctant to provide it.”

“You would have to question why the government is reluctant to share information that may save homes or even lives.

“When it comes to implementing the recommendations, it needs to be done in a timely manner and the opposition will be holding the government to account to ensure that happens.”

Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett criticised the failure to bring in water bombing in the early stages of the fire.

“Previous bush fire reviews identified many issues, including access to water bombing aircraft,” he said.

“We called from day one that the $15 million water bombing aircraft sitting idle on the runway in Bundaberg be deployed, but it took 34 days before Queensland Labor decided to finally take the destruction of Fraser Island seriously.

“Time and time again the Labor government has been told of the importance of planning, hazard reduction, inter-agency communication, clear lines of responsibility and better utilisation of the skills and knowledge of Traditional Owners.

“The sad and preventable wildfire incident on Fraser Island highlights not just the importance of those issues but also shows that the government has not fully implemented the recommendations of previous inquiries.”

The State Government has been contacted for a response.

Originally published as Burning questions remain after Fraser Island fire review released