NSW Premier Gladys Berjiklian has announced a six-month independent inquiry into the 2019-20 bushfire season to provide input to the State ahead of the next bushfire season.
Ms Berejiklian said former Deputy Commissioner of NSW Police, Dave Owens along with Independent Planning Commission Chair and former NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, Professor Mary O’Kane would lead the inquiry to review the causes of, preparation for and response to the 2019-20 bushfires.
“Professor O’Kane and Mr Owens have an extraordinary breadth and depth of experience into the matters they will be examining,” Ms Berejiklian said.
“I am confident their inquiry will be comprehensive and robust,” she said.
“The scale of these fires has been unprecedented and we must leave no stone unturned.”
Ms Berejiklian said the State was incredibly proud of the efforts of all emergency services personnel and volunteers throughout the ongoing bushfire season.
“This inquiry will allow NSW to learn from this season and the catastrophic conditions we’ve faced, and apply these learnings for the future,” she said.
She said recovery efforts were ongoing and remained the Government’s focus.
“Unfortunately the fire season is not over.”
“Whilst we are focussed on the rebuilding process we are mindful of the remaining fire threats,” Ms Berejiklian said.
