Independent review of Council’s response to floods

An independent consultant will conduct a post-event review of Council’s response to the December flooding event associated with ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper.

Cairns Mayor Terry James first announced that Council would undertake an independent review at the Ordinary Meeting on 21 December 2023.

Council is engaging a specialist team to undertake the debrief, which will use an After-Action Review methodology.

Relevant Council stakeholders engaged in disaster operations – including those in the Incident Management Team (IMT), the Local Disaster Management Group (LDMG) and the relevant subcommittees – will be invited to participate in the review.

The debrief will focus on determining the levels of effectiveness of operational, tactical, and strategic activities and initiatives, including governance, an approach that is used as standard practice for emergency services agencies and the Australian Defence Force to understand and improve capability and responses.

The debrief is expected to commence early February, and it is anticipated a final report will be available by late June.

In the event the State Government initiates a review of the wider LDMG activity, Council is committed to fully participate in this exercise.