Bureau welcomes Queensland floods final report

16/03/2012

The Bureau of Meteorology has welcomed today’s release (16 March) of the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry Final Report, and in the coming weeks will respond formally to the recommendations as part of the Australian Government’s overall response.

Services Division Head, Dr Ray Canterford, said the Bureau has continued to strengthen its working relationships with state and local government authorities on a number of fronts, including improved information sharing during severe weather and flood events.

“The extensive flood events of last year were tragic and unprecedented. The Bureau supports the thorough examination of these events through the Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry,” said Dr Canterford.

“The Bureau’s flood warning services represent a partnership with all levels of government. The Bureau will continue to assist Queensland state and local governments with its technical expertise in order to build more resilient flood warning services now, and into the future.

“The Bureau is actively contributing to a statewide review of river and flood monitoring networks, which is being led by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.

“The Bureau has established closer working relationships with local governments in their implementation of systems for localised flash flooding alerts. This includes improved river height and rainfall collection methods, to ensure capacity is being built at the local level.

“The Bureau has also expanded its network of several hundred ‘storm spotters’ in Queensland to tap into local knowledge and gather on-the-ground information during widespread severe weather and flood events.

“Together these initiatives have contributed to the collection of more comprehensive information, and ultimately built stronger links in the flood forecasting and warning network,” said Dr Canterford.

In October last year, the Bureau participated in pre-season disaster management workshops in 13 towns and regional centres across Queensland, strengthening a partnership approach in emergency planning and response.

Dr Canterford said the Bureau would continue to work closely with Queensland authorities to assist in preparing for and delivering services during severe weather and flood events.