The Commission of Inquiry into the Queensland floods is an Australian inquiry set up by Queensland Premier Anna Bligh to investigate the circumstances surrounding the deadly 2010-2011 Queensland floods. The independent Inquiry will be headed by Justice Cate Holmes and is expected to cost A$15 million.[1] Holmes will examine the disaster, government preparedness and the emergency response.
The Inquiry will be able to summon witnesses, demand documents and issue search warrants.[1] The final report was initially due on the 17 January 2012.[2] This was extended into February due to the quantity of material which has to be processed and analysed.[3] The deadline for submissions was extended to 15 June to allow for submissions related to insurance companies to be included.[3]
The Commission asked independent hydrological expert Mark Babister to investigate the operation of Wivenhoe Dam during the flood period. He found the operators had achieved nearly the best possible flood mitigation effort.[4] The report states that 59% of the downstream flooding was caused by water releases from the dam.
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An interim report was handed down on 1 August 2011.[3] This report focused on flood preparedness issues so that any appropriate steps may be taken before the next wet season.[5] The 250-page document contained more than 150 recommendations.[6]
Justice Holmes described the Wivenhoe Dam's operating manual as "a bit of a mess" and that the dam should be temporarily reduced to 75% capacity if an extremely wet season is forecast.[6][7]