Former Governor to head independent review into Brisbane flood

Former Governor and Supreme Court chief justice Paul de Jersey will undertake a comprehensive review into the 2022 Brisbane flood following last week’s devastating event.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said residents deserved assurances that everything possible to prepare Brisbane for future flooding events was being undertaken.

“This flood was one of the worst in Brisbane’s history and we need to ensure that the lessons from this event are learnt,” he said.

“This is the second time in just over a decade that Brisbane has been hit with a severe flood so we have to ask ourselves the tough questions around what more can be done.

“Let me get something straight. We are never going to prevent floods. But we can ensure Brisbane residents and public property is as prepared as possible for such events and that’s what this review will do.”

Cr Schrinner thanked Mr de Jersey for agreeing to head the three-month review.

Mr Jersey had a distinguished legal career before his appointment as Chief Justice of Queensland in 1998.

He became Queensland’s 26^th Governor in 2014.

The current State Government extended Mr de Jersey’s term in 2018.

He completed his tenure as Governor last year.

Cr Schrinner said Mr de Jersey’s review would focus on whether Council had adequately implemented the recommendations from the 2011 flood review, disaster management arrangements, public warnings, post-2011 planning regulation changes in flood-prone areas, the effectiveness of backflow devices and the resilience of riverine and waterways infrastructure.

“I want to thank Mr de Jersey for agreeing to undertake this important job on behalf of Brisbane residents,” Cr Schrinner said.

“This will be a very comprehensive review.

“We need to know whether we learnt the lessons from the 2011 flood and if further reforms are necessary to ensure Brisbane is better prepared for future flooding events.”