❓ A Western Australian parliamentary question seeks details about an independent review of the Department of Environment and Conservation's fire management capabilities, including the review's timeline, scope, and cost. The Minister provides a detailed response outlining the reviewer, terms of reference, and cost allocation between the WA and SA governments.
AnsweredQoN 75Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
SOUTH AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY FIRE SERVICE — REVIEW OF FIRE MANAGEMENT OF DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENT AND CONSERVATION
I refer to the minister’s media statement of Thursday, 25 February 2010, detailing plans for the head of the South Australian Country Fire Service to conduct an independent review of the fire management capabilities of the Department of Environment and Conservation. (1) When will the review be completed? (2) What are the terms of reference? (3) How much will the review cost? Hon DONNA FARAGHER
I refer to the minister’s media statement of Thursday, 25 February 2010, detailing plans for the head of the South Australian Country Fire Service to conduct an independent review of the fire management capabilities of the Department of Environment and Conservation. (1) When will the review be completed? (2) What are the terms of reference? (3) How much will the review cost? Hon DONNA FARAGHER
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) I announced on 25 February that Mr Euan Ferguson, chief executive and chief officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service, will independently review the fire management capabilities of DEC. Mr Ferguson will begin the review in April and report back to me before the end of 2010 or earlier. This question was put on 3 March; since then I have met with Mr Ferguson during his visit to Perth, and I was very impressed with him and I think he will do a very good job. (2) The terms of reference for the review will be to examine and evaluate the Department of Environment and Conservation’s ability to manage major bushfires, taking into account work previously undertaken through the “Review of Western Australia’s Bushfire Preparedness” report 2009; the GHD operational review, July 2008; the Bush Fires Amendment Bill 2009; the Auditor General’s 2004 report, “Responding to Major Bushfires”; the state government’s Westplan–Bushfire document; and the current roles and responsibilities of DEC, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and local government in bushfire management. In particular, the review will consider DEC’s preparation, planning, response and recovery in respect of major bushfires and strategies for the evaluation and management of bushfire threat and risk; management structure; command and control arrangements; training and resources; communication and coordination arrangements with other fire management agencies; and equipment and public information strategies. (3) Mr Ferguson’s salary and on-costs will be borne by the South Australian government. The Western Australian government will meet Mr Ferguson’s costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals incurred as part of the review. Other costs incurred during the course of the administration of the review will be met by the state government.
(1) When will the review be completed? (2) What are the terms of reference? (3) How much will the review cost? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) I announced on 25 February that Mr Euan Ferguson, chief executive and chief officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service, will independently review the fire management capabilities of DEC. Mr Ferguson will begin the review in April and report back to me before the end of 2010 or earlier. This question was put on 3 March; since then I have met with Mr Ferguson during his visit to Perth, and I was very impressed with him and I think he will do a very good job. (2) The terms of reference for the review will be to examine and evaluate the Department of Environment and Conservation’s ability to manage major bushfires, taking into account work previously undertaken through the “Review of Western Australia’s Bushfire Preparedness” report 2009; the GHD operational review, July 2008; the Bush Fires Amendment Bill 2009; the Auditor General’s 2004 report, “Responding to Major Bushfires”; the state government’s Westplan–Bushfire document; and the current roles and responsibilities of DEC, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and local government in bushfire management. In particular, the review will consider DEC’s preparation, planning, response and recovery in respect of major bushfires and strategies for the evaluation and management of bushfire threat and risk; management structure; command and control arrangements; training and resources; communication and coordination arrangements with other fire management agencies; and equipment and public information strategies. (3) Mr Ferguson’s salary and on-costs will be borne by the South Australian government. The Western Australian government will meet Mr Ferguson’s costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals incurred as part of the review. Other costs incurred during the course of the administration of the review will be met by the state government.
(2) What are the terms of reference? (3) How much will the review cost? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) I announced on 25 February that Mr Euan Ferguson, chief executive and chief officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service, will independently review the fire management capabilities of DEC. Mr Ferguson will begin the review in April and report back to me before the end of 2010 or earlier. This question was put on 3 March; since then I have met with Mr Ferguson during his visit to Perth, and I was very impressed with him and I think he will do a very good job. (2) The terms of reference for the review will be to examine and evaluate the Department of Environment and Conservation’s ability to manage major bushfires, taking into account work previously undertaken through the “Review of Western Australia’s Bushfire Preparedness” report 2009; the GHD operational review, July 2008; the Bush Fires Amendment Bill 2009; the Auditor General’s 2004 report, “Responding to Major Bushfires”; the state government’s Westplan–Bushfire document; and the current roles and responsibilities of DEC, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and local government in bushfire management. In particular, the review will consider DEC’s preparation, planning, response and recovery in respect of major bushfires and strategies for the evaluation and management of bushfire threat and risk; management structure; command and control arrangements; training and resources; communication and coordination arrangements with other fire management agencies; and equipment and public information strategies. (3) Mr Ferguson’s salary and on-costs will be borne by the South Australian government. The Western Australian government will meet Mr Ferguson’s costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals incurred as part of the review. Other costs incurred during the course of the administration of the review will be met by the state government.
(3) How much will the review cost? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) I announced on 25 February that Mr Euan Ferguson, chief executive and chief officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service, will independently review the fire management capabilities of DEC. Mr Ferguson will begin the review in April and report back to me before the end of 2010 or earlier. This question was put on 3 March; since then I have met with Mr Ferguson during his visit to Perth, and I was very impressed with him and I think he will do a very good job. (2) The terms of reference for the review will be to examine and evaluate the Department of Environment and Conservation’s ability to manage major bushfires, taking into account work previously undertaken through the “Review of Western Australia’s Bushfire Preparedness” report 2009; the GHD operational review, July 2008; the Bush Fires Amendment Bill 2009; the Auditor General’s 2004 report, “Responding to Major Bushfires”; the state government’s Westplan–Bushfire document; and the current roles and responsibilities of DEC, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and local government in bushfire management. In particular, the review will consider DEC’s preparation, planning, response and recovery in respect of major bushfires and strategies for the evaluation and management of bushfire threat and risk; management structure; command and control arrangements; training and resources; communication and coordination arrangements with other fire management agencies; and equipment and public information strategies. (3) Mr Ferguson’s salary and on-costs will be borne by the South Australian government. The Western Australian government will meet Mr Ferguson’s costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals incurred as part of the review. Other costs incurred during the course of the administration of the review will be met by the state government.
Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) I announced on 25 February that Mr Euan Ferguson, chief executive and chief officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service, will independently review the fire management capabilities of DEC. Mr Ferguson will begin the review in April and report back to me before the end of 2010 or earlier. This question was put on 3 March; since then I have met with Mr Ferguson during his visit to Perth, and I was very impressed with him and I think he will do a very good job. (2) The terms of reference for the review will be to examine and evaluate the Department of Environment and Conservation’s ability to manage major bushfires, taking into account work previously undertaken through the “Review of Western Australia’s Bushfire Preparedness” report 2009; the GHD operational review, July 2008; the Bush Fires Amendment Bill 2009; the Auditor General’s 2004 report, “Responding to Major Bushfires”; the state government’s Westplan–Bushfire document; and the current roles and responsibilities of DEC, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and local government in bushfire management. In particular, the review will consider DEC’s preparation, planning, response and recovery in respect of major bushfires and strategies for the evaluation and management of bushfire threat and risk; management structure; command and control arrangements; training and resources; communication and coordination arrangements with other fire management agencies; and equipment and public information strategies. (3) Mr Ferguson’s salary and on-costs will be borne by the South Australian government. The Western Australian government will meet Mr Ferguson’s costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals incurred as part of the review. Other costs incurred during the course of the administration of the review will be met by the state government.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) I announced on 25 February that Mr Euan Ferguson, chief executive and chief officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service, will independently review the fire management capabilities of DEC. Mr Ferguson will begin the review in April and report back to me before the end of 2010 or earlier. This question was put on 3 March; since then I have met with Mr Ferguson during his visit to Perth, and I was very impressed with him and I think he will do a very good job. (2) The terms of reference for the review will be to examine and evaluate the Department of Environment and Conservation’s ability to manage major bushfires, taking into account work previously undertaken through the “Review of Western Australia’s Bushfire Preparedness” report 2009; the GHD operational review, July 2008; the Bush Fires Amendment Bill 2009; the Auditor General’s 2004 report, “Responding to Major Bushfires”; the state government’s Westplan–Bushfire document; and the current roles and responsibilities of DEC, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and local government in bushfire management. In particular, the review will consider DEC’s preparation, planning, response and recovery in respect of major bushfires and strategies for the evaluation and management of bushfire threat and risk; management structure; command and control arrangements; training and resources; communication and coordination arrangements with other fire management agencies; and equipment and public information strategies. (3) Mr Ferguson’s salary and on-costs will be borne by the South Australian government. The Western Australian government will meet Mr Ferguson’s costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals incurred as part of the review. Other costs incurred during the course of the administration of the review will be met by the state government.
(1) I announced on 25 February that Mr Euan Ferguson, chief executive and chief officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service, will independently review the fire management capabilities of DEC. Mr Ferguson will begin the review in April and report back to me before the end of 2010 or earlier. This question was put on 3 March; since then I have met with Mr Ferguson during his visit to Perth, and I was very impressed with him and I think he will do a very good job. (2) The terms of reference for the review will be to examine and evaluate the Department of Environment and Conservation’s ability to manage major bushfires, taking into account work previously undertaken through the “Review of Western Australia’s Bushfire Preparedness” report 2009; the GHD operational review, July 2008; the Bush Fires Amendment Bill 2009; the Auditor General’s 2004 report, “Responding to Major Bushfires”; the state government’s Westplan–Bushfire document; and the current roles and responsibilities of DEC, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and local government in bushfire management. In particular, the review will consider DEC’s preparation, planning, response and recovery in respect of major bushfires and strategies for the evaluation and management of bushfire threat and risk; management structure; command and control arrangements; training and resources; communication and coordination arrangements with other fire management agencies; and equipment and public information strategies. (3) Mr Ferguson’s salary and on-costs will be borne by the South Australian government. The Western Australian government will meet Mr Ferguson’s costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals incurred as part of the review. Other costs incurred during the course of the administration of the review will be met by the state government.
(2) The terms of reference for the review will be to examine and evaluate the Department of Environment and Conservation’s ability to manage major bushfires, taking into account work previously undertaken through the “Review of Western Australia’s Bushfire Preparedness” report 2009; the GHD operational review, July 2008; the Bush Fires Amendment Bill 2009; the Auditor General’s 2004 report, “Responding to Major Bushfires”; the state government’s Westplan–Bushfire document; and the current roles and responsibilities of DEC, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and local government in bushfire management. In particular, the review will consider DEC’s preparation, planning, response and recovery in respect of major bushfires and strategies for the evaluation and management of bushfire threat and risk; management structure; command and control arrangements; training and resources; communication and coordination arrangements with other fire management agencies; and equipment and public information strategies. (3) Mr Ferguson’s salary and on-costs will be borne by the South Australian government. The Western Australian government will meet Mr Ferguson’s costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals incurred as part of the review. Other costs incurred during the course of the administration of the review will be met by the state government.
(3) Mr Ferguson’s salary and on-costs will be borne by the South Australian government. The Western Australian government will meet Mr Ferguson’s costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals incurred as part of the review. Other costs incurred during the course of the administration of the review will be met by the state government.
(1) When will the review be completed? (2) What are the terms of reference? (3) How much will the review cost? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) I announced on 25 February that Mr Euan Ferguson, chief executive and chief officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service, will independently review the fire management capabilities of DEC. Mr Ferguson will begin the review in April and report back to me before the end of 2010 or earlier. This question was put on 3 March; since then I have met with Mr Ferguson during his visit to Perth, and I was very impressed with him and I think he will do a very good job. (2) The terms of reference for the review will be to examine and evaluate the Department of Environment and Conservation’s ability to manage major bushfires, taking into account work previously undertaken through the “Review of Western Australia’s Bushfire Preparedness” report 2009; the GHD operational review, July 2008; the Bush Fires Amendment Bill 2009; the Auditor General’s 2004 report, “Responding to Major Bushfires”; the state government’s Westplan–Bushfire document; and the current roles and responsibilities of DEC, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and local government in bushfire management. In particular, the review will consider DEC’s preparation, planning, response and recovery in respect of major bushfires and strategies for the evaluation and management of bushfire threat and risk; management structure; command and control arrangements; training and resources; communication and coordination arrangements with other fire management agencies; and equipment and public information strategies. (3) Mr Ferguson’s salary and on-costs will be borne by the South Australian government. The Western Australian government will meet Mr Ferguson’s costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals incurred as part of the review. Other costs incurred during the course of the administration of the review will be met by the state government.
(2) What are the terms of reference? (3) How much will the review cost? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) I announced on 25 February that Mr Euan Ferguson, chief executive and chief officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service, will independently review the fire management capabilities of DEC. Mr Ferguson will begin the review in April and report back to me before the end of 2010 or earlier. This question was put on 3 March; since then I have met with Mr Ferguson during his visit to Perth, and I was very impressed with him and I think he will do a very good job. (2) The terms of reference for the review will be to examine and evaluate the Department of Environment and Conservation’s ability to manage major bushfires, taking into account work previously undertaken through the “Review of Western Australia’s Bushfire Preparedness” report 2009; the GHD operational review, July 2008; the Bush Fires Amendment Bill 2009; the Auditor General’s 2004 report, “Responding to Major Bushfires”; the state government’s Westplan–Bushfire document; and the current roles and responsibilities of DEC, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and local government in bushfire management. In particular, the review will consider DEC’s preparation, planning, response and recovery in respect of major bushfires and strategies for the evaluation and management of bushfire threat and risk; management structure; command and control arrangements; training and resources; communication and coordination arrangements with other fire management agencies; and equipment and public information strategies. (3) Mr Ferguson’s salary and on-costs will be borne by the South Australian government. The Western Australian government will meet Mr Ferguson’s costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals incurred as part of the review. Other costs incurred during the course of the administration of the review will be met by the state government.
(3) How much will the review cost? Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) I announced on 25 February that Mr Euan Ferguson, chief executive and chief officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service, will independently review the fire management capabilities of DEC. Mr Ferguson will begin the review in April and report back to me before the end of 2010 or earlier. This question was put on 3 March; since then I have met with Mr Ferguson during his visit to Perth, and I was very impressed with him and I think he will do a very good job. (2) The terms of reference for the review will be to examine and evaluate the Department of Environment and Conservation’s ability to manage major bushfires, taking into account work previously undertaken through the “Review of Western Australia’s Bushfire Preparedness” report 2009; the GHD operational review, July 2008; the Bush Fires Amendment Bill 2009; the Auditor General’s 2004 report, “Responding to Major Bushfires”; the state government’s Westplan–Bushfire document; and the current roles and responsibilities of DEC, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and local government in bushfire management. In particular, the review will consider DEC’s preparation, planning, response and recovery in respect of major bushfires and strategies for the evaluation and management of bushfire threat and risk; management structure; command and control arrangements; training and resources; communication and coordination arrangements with other fire management agencies; and equipment and public information strategies. (3) Mr Ferguson’s salary and on-costs will be borne by the South Australian government. The Western Australian government will meet Mr Ferguson’s costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals incurred as part of the review. Other costs incurred during the course of the administration of the review will be met by the state government.
Hon DONNA FARAGHER replied: I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) I announced on 25 February that Mr Euan Ferguson, chief executive and chief officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service, will independently review the fire management capabilities of DEC. Mr Ferguson will begin the review in April and report back to me before the end of 2010 or earlier. This question was put on 3 March; since then I have met with Mr Ferguson during his visit to Perth, and I was very impressed with him and I think he will do a very good job. (2) The terms of reference for the review will be to examine and evaluate the Department of Environment and Conservation’s ability to manage major bushfires, taking into account work previously undertaken through the “Review of Western Australia’s Bushfire Preparedness” report 2009; the GHD operational review, July 2008; the Bush Fires Amendment Bill 2009; the Auditor General’s 2004 report, “Responding to Major Bushfires”; the state government’s Westplan–Bushfire document; and the current roles and responsibilities of DEC, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and local government in bushfire management. In particular, the review will consider DEC’s preparation, planning, response and recovery in respect of major bushfires and strategies for the evaluation and management of bushfire threat and risk; management structure; command and control arrangements; training and resources; communication and coordination arrangements with other fire management agencies; and equipment and public information strategies. (3) Mr Ferguson’s salary and on-costs will be borne by the South Australian government. The Western Australian government will meet Mr Ferguson’s costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals incurred as part of the review. Other costs incurred during the course of the administration of the review will be met by the state government.
I thank the honourable member for some notice of this question. (1) I announced on 25 February that Mr Euan Ferguson, chief executive and chief officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service, will independently review the fire management capabilities of DEC. Mr Ferguson will begin the review in April and report back to me before the end of 2010 or earlier. This question was put on 3 March; since then I have met with Mr Ferguson during his visit to Perth, and I was very impressed with him and I think he will do a very good job. (2) The terms of reference for the review will be to examine and evaluate the Department of Environment and Conservation’s ability to manage major bushfires, taking into account work previously undertaken through the “Review of Western Australia’s Bushfire Preparedness” report 2009; the GHD operational review, July 2008; the Bush Fires Amendment Bill 2009; the Auditor General’s 2004 report, “Responding to Major Bushfires”; the state government’s Westplan–Bushfire document; and the current roles and responsibilities of DEC, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and local government in bushfire management. In particular, the review will consider DEC’s preparation, planning, response and recovery in respect of major bushfires and strategies for the evaluation and management of bushfire threat and risk; management structure; command and control arrangements; training and resources; communication and coordination arrangements with other fire management agencies; and equipment and public information strategies. (3) Mr Ferguson’s salary and on-costs will be borne by the South Australian government. The Western Australian government will meet Mr Ferguson’s costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals incurred as part of the review. Other costs incurred during the course of the administration of the review will be met by the state government.
(1) I announced on 25 February that Mr Euan Ferguson, chief executive and chief officer of the South Australian Country Fire Service, will independently review the fire management capabilities of DEC. Mr Ferguson will begin the review in April and report back to me before the end of 2010 or earlier. This question was put on 3 March; since then I have met with Mr Ferguson during his visit to Perth, and I was very impressed with him and I think he will do a very good job. (2) The terms of reference for the review will be to examine and evaluate the Department of Environment and Conservation’s ability to manage major bushfires, taking into account work previously undertaken through the “Review of Western Australia’s Bushfire Preparedness” report 2009; the GHD operational review, July 2008; the Bush Fires Amendment Bill 2009; the Auditor General’s 2004 report, “Responding to Major Bushfires”; the state government’s Westplan–Bushfire document; and the current roles and responsibilities of DEC, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and local government in bushfire management. In particular, the review will consider DEC’s preparation, planning, response and recovery in respect of major bushfires and strategies for the evaluation and management of bushfire threat and risk; management structure; command and control arrangements; training and resources; communication and coordination arrangements with other fire management agencies; and equipment and public information strategies. (3) Mr Ferguson’s salary and on-costs will be borne by the South Australian government. The Western Australian government will meet Mr Ferguson’s costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals incurred as part of the review. Other costs incurred during the course of the administration of the review will be met by the state government.
(2) The terms of reference for the review will be to examine and evaluate the Department of Environment and Conservation’s ability to manage major bushfires, taking into account work previously undertaken through the “Review of Western Australia’s Bushfire Preparedness” report 2009; the GHD operational review, July 2008; the Bush Fires Amendment Bill 2009; the Auditor General’s 2004 report, “Responding to Major Bushfires”; the state government’s Westplan–Bushfire document; and the current roles and responsibilities of DEC, the Fire and Emergency Services Authority and local government in bushfire management. In particular, the review will consider DEC’s preparation, planning, response and recovery in respect of major bushfires and strategies for the evaluation and management of bushfire threat and risk; management structure; command and control arrangements; training and resources; communication and coordination arrangements with other fire management agencies; and equipment and public information strategies. (3) Mr Ferguson’s salary and on-costs will be borne by the South Australian government. The Western Australian government will meet Mr Ferguson’s costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals incurred as part of the review. Other costs incurred during the course of the administration of the review will be met by the state government.
(3) Mr Ferguson’s salary and on-costs will be borne by the South Australian government. The Western Australian government will meet Mr Ferguson’s costs associated with travel, accommodation and meals incurred as part of the review. Other costs incurred during the course of the administration of the review will be met by the state government.
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