The Office of the Inspector-General of Emergency Management Report 1: 2020-21 K'gari (Fraser Island) bushfire review
This review focuses on preparedness and response to the K’gari bushfire event. K’gari is the world’s largest sand island, listed as a World Heritage Area in 1992 to recognise its internationally significant features. It is the traditional land of the Butchulla people, who are the Traditional Owners and native title holders above the high-water mark on K’gari. The review makes a number of recommendations to address opportunities for improvement related to enhancing the management and protection of world heritage and cultural values. The review found opportunities to strengthen collaboration with the Butchulla people, the community and business representatives through the Locality Specific Area Fire Management Group for K’gari. It also found an opportunity to make bushfire risk and planning information more readily available to the community.
The report provides a list of 38 recommendations, including:
- The Inspector-General Emergency Management recommends the Locality Specific Fire Management Group for K’gari meet at least twice per year, in person or virtually.
- The Inspector-General Emergency Management recommends Queensland Fire and Emergency Services examines the use of predictive service capability to inform prevention and preparedness in addition to response activities.
- The Inspector-General Emergency Management recommends Department of Environment and Science implement an awareness and engagement strategy aimed at deterring the lighting of campfires to encourage behavioural change amongst visitors.