News

NSW Independent Bushfire Inquiry

24 April 2020

The NSW Government has commissioned an independent expert inquiry into the 2019-20 bushfire season to provide input to NSW ahead of the next bushfire season.


Dave Owens APM, former Deputy Commissioner of NSW Police, and Professor Mary O’Kane AC, Independent Planning Commission Chair and former NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer, are leading the six-month inquiry, which is reviewing the causes of, preparation for and response to the 2019-20 bushfires.


The Inquiry welcomes submissions from bushfire-affected residents, emergency and support personnel, organisations and the general public. Learn more at www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/projects-and-initiatives/make-submission-to-bushfire-inquiry


Everyone is encouraged to share their experience and tell their story to inform the Inquiry’s work. To this end the NSW Bushfire Inquiry has been travelling to bushfire-affected communities to meet with and directly hear from people who have been affected by the 2019-20 bushfires.

As the COVID-19 situation prohibits the Inquiry from continuing to visit communities to hold face-to-face meetings, community consultation will now be undertaken via video conference (with an option to participate by phone) to ensure we can continue to hear stories directly from community members.


The Inquiry will hold a videoconference for the Wollondilly and Southern Highlands.

Meeting: Wollondilly and Southern Highlands Community Consultation

Location: Online

Date: Thursday 7 May 2020

Time: 5:00pm – 6:30pm


If you are interested in attending this meeting, please register online. Following registration, you will receive a confirmation email. Closer to the date, you will receive a link to access the video conference, including dial-in details if you would prefer to participate by phone.


The number of participants in each video conference will be capped to ensure everyone gets a chance to share their experience. If demand exceeds capacity, the Inquiry will consider holding additional sessions.


Provide your feedback by Friday 22 May 2020 using:

Online form: www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/projects-and-initiatives/make-submission-to-bushfire-inquiry

Email: inquiries@bushfireinquiry.nsw.gov.au

Post: NSW Independent Bushfire Inquiry, GPO Box 5341, Sydney NSW 2001

Phone: If you have limited computer or internet access you can make a submission over the phone by calling the Bushfire Customer Care program on 13 77 88