MEDIA RELEASE
Inquiry into the West Belconnen supercell thunderstorm
Report tabled
Mr Johnathan Davis, Chair of the Assembly’s Standing Committee on Health and Community Wellbeing, today tabled a report in the Inquiry into the West Belconnen supercell thunderstorm.
The storm event occurred on 3 January 2022 and resulted in severe damage to homes and the electricity grid. Many homes remained without power for up to six days due to the extensive nature of the clean-up.
The Committee made 15 recommendations, including:
- that the ACT undertake a gap analysis of communication with affected residents following emergencies;
- that Evoenergy develop an improved communications system;
- that the ACT Government adopt a criteria of infrastructure damage prevention or limitation in relation to potentially hazardous or threatening trees; and
- that the ACT Government reviews the process of integration of all Directorates and services to respond more effectively to severe weather events.
“The Committee would like to thank the community for its interest and participation in this Inquiry. We believe that the lessons from this event can inform better recovery practices in the future,” said Mr Johnathan Davis MLA, Chair of the Standing Committee on Health and Community Wellbeing.
The report is available at: https://www.parliament.act.gov.au/parliamentary-business/in-committees/committees/hcw/inquiry-into-the-west-belconnen-supercell-thunderstorm
Under the Assembly’s standing orders, the ACT Government is required to table its response to the report within four months.
21 September 2022
STATEMENT ENDS.
For further information please contact:
Committee Chair, Mr Johnathan Davis MLA on (02) 6205 0051
Committee Secretary, Dr Adele Chynoweth OAM, on (02) 6207 5498 or at LACommitteeHCW@parliament.act.gov.au