Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds' CSC additional comments
1.1There is a need for better community preparedness and resilience, particularly in high-risk areas like floodplains in Western Australia. This includes rethinking design criteria for infrastructure and exploring relocation options for vulnerable communities.
1.2There is an urgent need for enhanced community preparedness and infrastructure improvements to better withstand and recover from natural disasters and critical areas for action, including infrastructure redundancy, port and airstrip upgrades, and the integration of local knowledge into disaster management strategies.
1.3Strengthening telecommunications resilience through robust communication networks and backup power solutions are integral to ensuring continuous lifesaving connectivity during emergencies.
1.4By investing in initiatives that strengthen community bonds and empower individuals, we can enhance our Nation’s collective ability to withstand and recover from natural disasters effectively.
1.5Effective disaster response is not just about physical infrastructure but also about fostering robust social networks that can support individuals during and after crises.
1.6We must recognise the integral link between social resilience, and social strength, in mitigating the impacts of natural disasters, prioritising initiatives aimed at building stronger and more resilient communities.
1.7Fostering social cohesion and resilience within communities plays a crucial role in enhancing overall disaster resilience. Therefore, implementing measures that promote community engagement, social support networks, and inclusive decision-making processes to bolster social resilience are needed.
Senator REYNOLDS: … one of the things also that struck me is really the link between social resilience, social strength and social cohesion and the ability to be resilient to natural disasters. From the council's perspective, do you see that, if we can build stronger, more resilient communities, then there's a link between the two?[1]
Mr Vanderzeil: It's hard to tell which comes first, a strong community or a strong disaster response. We see in strong disaster response that our community binds closer together. We become more resilient over time.[2]
1.8The Committee took significant evidence during the public hearings in Western Australia that the infrastructure in Northwest Western Australia is not resilient.
1.9By addressing infrastructure deficiency across the Northwest of Western Australia, we can enhance the safety and efficiency of travel along our critical highway network, particularly during flood events.
Mr Berger: … at the risk of stating the obvious, the Great Northern Highway is the only paved road through the region. As we've seen this year, an interruption to that sole arterial line disrupts logistics networks that stretch thousands of kilometres to cities in the south … for the better part of three years now, the East Kimberley has been the longest cul-de-sac in the world.[3]
1.10There is an urgent need to conduct a thorough review of the condition and capacity of all single-lane bridges along National Highway One, particularly in Western Australia. This review should prioritise upgrading bridges, taking into account their vulnerability to floods.
Mr Raymond: … if Highway 1 was closed by bridge failure between Sydney and Brisbane, how long do you think it would take before the bridge was replaced? I very much doubt it would be 17 months, which is what we're currently looking at, with that road closed for about eight months in total.
…
On the WA side, we've got a whole series of bridges and sections of road that are built at a level far below the point they need to be for Highway 1. It really is only a matter of time before we see the same thing happen again on other bridges through the system.[4]
1.11Responding to the overwhelming calls from the Kimberley region, the Tanami Road and the Outback Way funding must be re-prioritised and brought forward. This will significantly enhance connectivity, transportation efficiency, and emergency response capabilities in Northwestern Australia.
Mr Chafer: … We were very excited with the Tanami Road being funded—$444 million. We have just been to Canberra and were told that the $444 million has now been bumped out of the forward estimates. That is a real concern for us because, if that road were sealed—we are actually closer to Adelaide than we are to Perth by a few hundred kilometres—we wouldn't have suffered as much in terms of running out of food and getting other goods and services here. So that's a bit short-sighted. I think that needs to be back in the forward estimates; that road needs to be done as a matter of urgency.[5]
1.12Given the responsibility of the State Governments including the Western Australian State Government for the repair, maintenance, and improvement of the Tanami Road, I urge increased funding allocation to expedite these critical projects. Furthermore, I call for a review of recent Federal Budgets to ensure that adequate resources are allocated to support the development of vital outback infrastructure.
Ms Smith: … If the Tanami Road had been sealed or at least made wet season proof we would have had secondary road access into the East Kimberley and the loss of the [Fitzroy] bridge wouldn't have affected us as severely as it has.[6]
Mr Edwards: I'm here today to talk to you about the importance of Tanami Road … During the flooding, as you know, the East Kimberley was completely cut off by road.[7]
1.13Strengthening port infrastructure is crucial for facilitating efficient emergency response efforts and safeguarding regional connectivity and trade activities.
1.14There is an urgent need for a more resilient port system, particularly at ports such as Wyndam Port and Derby Port. Proactive measures must be taken to tackle issues related to the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service (AQIS), biosecurity, and customs to ensure uninterrupted access during weather-induced emergency situations.
Mr Chafer: We don’t have a first port of entry anywhere in the Kimberley … The issue in terms of food is that you have the quarantine issue getting your fresh fruit and veggies in.[8]
1.15Upgrading and maintaining airstrip and airport facilities is critical for enhancing disaster response capabilities and ensuring timely assistance to affected communities.
1.16A comprehensive review of airstrips in northern Western Australia is required to assess their capacity to support essential air operations during disaster scenarios. This review should prioritise evaluating the infrastructure's ability to accommodate required aircraft and facilitate the efficient transportation of supplies and personnel during emergencies.
Mr McConachy: The airstrip at Fitzroy Crossing partially went under water. When the ADF brought one of the Spartans in to land on it, it damaged the runway. They did three touch-and-goes and got sent away because the water table was so high. It restricted what we could fly in there because of the damage that was caused to the airstrip.[9]
1.17Ensuring continuous access to sewerage, water, and power during emergencies is crucial for safeguarding the well-being and safety of residents in remote areas.
1.18The vulnerability of sewerage, water, and power infrastructure in remote and disaster prone communities should be reviewed, and investment made in utility infrastructure upgrades and adopting innovative technologies to mitigate the impact of disasters on these essential services.
Mr Ross: I am the director of the Bunuba Dawangarri Aboriginal Corporation ... To date, it's been about 134 days that, in our Bunuba communities, about 34 houses haven't had power or water reconnected to them ... The issue for us has been just trying to get back home and get our families back.[10]
1.19National infrastructure planning often lacks a holistic perspective, failing to acknowledge the interconnectedness of our natural systems. Rivers do not conform to administrative boundaries such as shire boundaries or state borders.
1.20We must work with the natural environment instead of controlling or working against it. This involves integrating natural environment considerations into infrastructure planning and development to enhance sustainability and resilience.
Mr Neate: … Mount Anderson floodway is a classic example. In the first eight years that I was in this position, it washed away seven times. There were three large culverts, and the approaches washed away each time because they just built up with silt.[11]
1.21For instance, in Townsville, along the southeastern bank of the Ross River, a housing development was proposed below the flood level within a floodplain.
1.22By harnessing local expertise, we can improve the effectiveness and resilience of flood prevention and recovery initiatives.
1.23There is a requirement to develop and implement strategies to enhance engagement with local communities and their knowledge for flood prevention and recovery efforts. This may involve establishing community forums, conducting consultations, and incorporating traditional and indigenous knowledge into flood management plans.
1.24To better support and empower local communities from the bottom up, we must shift our approach to work collaboratively within our Federation rather than against it. Instead of persistently attempting to control everything at the federal level, we need to recognise and leverage the strengths of local communities, who are best positioned to understand and address their unique needs.
1.25In Fitzroy Crossing, the Committee heard that local people knew weeks in advance of authorities that an enormous volume was accumulating in the Dimond and Margaret Rivers.
Ms Parriman: Aboriginal people should be listened to a little bit more. They know country. They know how the water moves—rainfall might cause flooding down there, but where is that going to go? It's just being able to collaborate a little more on that.[12]
Mr Davis: … Fitzroy is the flood capital of the world, and the meetings are held in Derby. That means that local people can't have input into it, and it means that people like Wayne then have to represent us. No disrespect to Wayne, but he doesn't live in Fitzroy Crossing. For people like the pastoralists, who want access, I think the mechanisms of how you do your planning and you’re setting up are not sufficient to be able to engage the local people well enough, particularly the Indigenous gang.[13]
1.26In Fitzroy Crossing, the Committee heard about the disconnect between Government visits and actual community needs with some describing a feeling as if they were in a fishbowl with many official visitors travelling to the disaster impacted community just to look at them and then move on again.
Mrs O'Donnell: I appreciate that we have a State Government and I respect the government, but, gee whiz, we had every minister possible visit. Fitzroy Crossing had more ministers in five weeks than they have had in 50 years.[14]
Ms Carter: … Initially we had every Commonwealth and state government minister flying in here every second day saying, 'We feel for you; we know what you're going through, and we are in it for the long haul'—and then fly out again. We haven't seen or heard from them since.[15]
1.27Flooding is a natural occurrence in the North of Australia, which has long been characterised by vast riverine deltas that alternate between handling large volumes of water and experiencing dry periods.
1.28By gaining a deeper understanding of water flow patterns at various flood levels, we can improve our ability to design and build towns that are more resilient to these conditions. This knowledge will enable us to create infrastructure and communities that can better withstand and adapt to the challenges posed by flooding.
1.29Comprehensive research and studies are required to enhance our understanding of water flow dynamics and flood patterns in Northern Australia's riverine deltas. The studies should have a focus on:
Hydrological modelling to predict water flow and flood behaviour at various levels, considering historical data and climate change projections.
An impact assessment of different flood scenarios on infrastructure, ecosystems, and communities to identify vulnerabilities and resilience opportunities.
Local community knowledge integration incorporation to complement scientific data and provide a holistic understanding of flood management.
Investigate urban planning and design strategies that enhance the flood resilience of towns and communities, including building approvals on flood plains and adaptive building techniques.
1.30In Brisbane, the Committee heard the area has been developed with a significant focus on residential high-rises, some of which are located on flood plains. Concerns have been raised about the risks associated with living in high-rise buildings in flood-prone areas, particularly regarding the challenges faced if essential services like elevators and power are disrupted during a flood.
1.31There is a need to establish an early warning system for tropical lows in the Kimberley region, similar to those used for cyclones and fires. We must ensure consistent and enhanced monitoring, with data that can be effectively communicated to higher authorities and integrated into broader emergency response frameworks.
Mr Thomson: … When the rains began on the 27th, that system was over the Northern Territory, but it was predicted to come back and there was heavy rainfall—record rainfall, in fact, being predicted for the Kimberley at that point in time. It's a very important point to make because I think there was sufficient warning. I'll be contending today that there wasn't enough mobilisation at that early stage of the disaster. In fact, I'll also contend that tropical lows are often the most damaging systems in the north. Everyone gets very wound up—excuse the pun about cyclones—but cyclones are a fact of life. They cause intensive damage in a very narrow range, usually. But tropical lows are usually the cause of considerable flooding.[16]
1.32Strategies must be developed to quickly relocate people to safe locations during emergencies and facilitate their prompt return once conditions stabilise. We must investigate alternative solutions to temporary evacuation accommodation. One example heard by the Committee in Fitzroy Crossing was the "humanihut".
1.33Importantly, a return plan to local communities for displaced individuals following an evacuation due to natural disaster is essential.
Ms Dexter: People are still displaced across the Kimberley as far as Perth, Broome, Port Hedland et cetera. Every accommodation centre in Derby was utilised: the Spinifex Hotel, the Mud Crab, the King Sound and the Lodge. We had people who were evacuated put into hotel facilities with alcohol and a whole range of different things, with no wrap-around services and no support, and no real sense of what was going on. There was no daily direction. In actual fact, at one point, it was owned up that people didn't even know who was here; they didn't actually have a list.[17]
Mr Haerewa: When we knew that the evacuees were going to go to Derby, I was in contact with the two state ministers, Ministers Dawson and Cook, pleading with them not to allow evacuees to go through to Derby because the road between Broome and Derby was going to be cut off. Their words to me were, 'It is only going to be for a short time until we can find somewhere else to put them.' That created all sorts of consequences and social issues that the town couldn't handle at the time.
CHAIR: How far is Derby from Fitzroy Crossing?
Mr Haerewa: Derby is about 260 kilometres from Fitzroy Crossing. But the most important factor was that we were being cut off from Broome as well, so we were an island within an island.[18]
1.34There is a need to address health risks associated with secondary impacts of floods. We must develop and implement a systematic approach to prevent mosquito-borne diseases, mould, and waterborne illnesses following flood natural disasters.
Mr Williams: … We also have secondary impacts like disease outbreaks because mosquitoes are a vector for other illnesses. Unfortunately, there was a child who passed away in Fitzroy Crossing from a fairly significant virus, Japanese encephalitis virus. In a normal wet season those risks are prominent, even without the sort of incident that happened at Fitzroy Crossing this year.[19]
1.35Retention of medical records upon evacuation is important. The Committee heard about community members being evacuated post flood to another city thousands of kilometres away, receiving medical care there and then returning back to their community with a gap in medical history.
Ms O’Donnell: The Derby Aboriginal Health Service were asked to provide health checks on those people, but, firstly, we had no record of their medical records. … So, you just picked up 80 people and put them in Derby without thinking that they—
Senator DAVEY: Eighty vulnerable people ... who are already traumatised and confused because they've been taken from their homes.[20]
1.36There is a need to develop a plan for the preservation of records in a natural disaster event with a focus on Indigenous Communities. A need to establish a comprehensive plan to safeguard important records and cultural heritage in rural and remote areas, especially in Indigenous communities vulnerable to natural disasters. This plan should include strategies for digitisation, secure storage, and community engagement to ensure the preservation of valuable records and cultural artifacts for future generations.
Ms Parriman: … the women's resource centre had boxes of family records that they needed to get out of Fitzroy. They weren't having any success getting prioritised on flights. 'Kimberley Land Council, how can you help us? We need to be able to get this out.' Those sorts of things.[21]
1.37A National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) stockpile needs to be located in Western Australia to ensure swift and effective disaster response and recovery efforts in the region.
1.38Western Australia is prone to a range of natural disasters, including cyclones, bushfires, and floods. Having a stockpile within close proximity ensures rapid deployment of essential supplies and equipment to affected areas, minimising response time and enhancing the effectiveness of emergency operations.
1.39By leveraging advanced technologies, we can improve the reliability and efficiency of communication networks during emergencies, ensuring timely and effective response efforts.
1.40There is a need to expand on the role of NBN Co and other telecommunication services in disaster resilience.
Senator REYNOLDS: … these events and the scale of these events are not unforeseen and are entirely predictable—not exactly where they will be, but there are areas that are more prone than others. So, if you know that there is a possibility of a wide outage, why aren't you doing more now to make these towers more resilient or looking for options?[22]
1.41There is a need for a mandate requiring backup power solutions to be installed on critical telecommunications infrastructure located in disaster-prone areas. This measure will enhance the resilience of communication networks during emergencies and ensure continuity of essential services for affected communities.
1.42For example, in Parkerville, Western Australia, a three-day telecommunications outage caused by a freak storm in January 2024 highlighted the critical need for backup power. The absence of communication during this period posed significant risks, including potential new fires from lightning strikes, endangering both the community and volunteer fire brigades.
Mr Parkin: … The single biggest risk to the NBN network in the event of natural disaster is the resilience of the commercial power networks. Whenever we have a major event beyond our own infrastructure, power, power, and power become the three major priorities for our immediate focus and response.[23]
Mr Sutherland: … Loss of mains power is a primary cause of Telstra network outages during natural disasters. To provide resilience against the loss of mains power, we invest in backup power systems, including batteries, generators and solar power generation.[24]
1.43There is a need to include telecommunications providers in emergency services coordination meetings and designate telecommunications as a critical service in a disaster situation.
1.44Collaboration and coordination between telecommunications companies is encouraged to collectively provide backup power solutions for shared infrastructure in disaster-prone areas.
1.45By working together, these companies can ensure the resilience of communication networks and minimise disruptions during emergencies providing a lifesaving service.
Mr Osborne: … Certainly, there's an opportunity for improvements in arrangements, but it needs to be something that is managed across mobile companies. It's no good throwing money independently at us or at Telstra where we have those shared sites. The better solution is to have site resilience, and that way everyone who would normally make communications through that site will have resilience, rather than picking winners.[25]
1.46Investing in developing affordable technologies and satellite networks is essential to enhance disaster communication and response capabilities in disaster-prone areas where telecommunications infrastructure is often inadequate during crises. Examples of potential solutions include:
NBN Co Fly-Away Kits: Portable satellite communication kits that provide connectivity in disaster-affected areas.
Telstra’s Cells on Wheels (CoWs): Mobile cell towers that can be deployed quickly to restore communication services.
Hybrid Power Cubes: Modular power solutions combining multiple energy sources to ensure continuous power supply.
Innovative Technology Solutions: Exploring other advanced technologies to support critical sites during disasters.
1.47Mr Alexander Osborne, Head of Regulatory at TPG Telecom, highlighted global trends in alternative power supplies that support critical telecommunications infrastructure:
Mr Osborne: … The other trend around the world that we're seeing, and you mentioned this earlier, are things like power cubes. There are a variety of different types of alternative power supplies available. In fact, Vodafone in Germany has rolled out 750 wind turbines on 52 of its cell towers in Germany. Similarly, Deutsche Telekom has rolled out a solution with Ericsson to have self-sufficient power supply sites. Things like power cubes, solar cells, wind, alternative fuel generators, hydrogen generators and so on are useful things to do for things that are critical sites. Typically, in the network we would have sites that we would class as critical. They are a hub site for further sites that are daisy chained down the stream. If you keep the power to those critical sites, it means that you have fewer sites at the end of the daisy chain that you might have to roll a generator out to.[26]
1.48Investing in these technologies will improve resilience and reliability in disaster response, ensuring that critical communication infrastructure remains operational when it is most needed.
Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC
Senator for Western Australia
Footnotes
[1]Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds, Committee Hansard, 17 May 2023, p. 27.
[2]Mr Sebastian Vanderzeil, Vice President, West End Community Association, Committee Hansard, 22 September 2023, p. 36.
[3]Mr Chuck Berger, Chief Executive Officer, Kimberley Development Commission, Committee Hansard, 15 May 2023, p. 26.
[4]Mr Daniel Raymond, Chief Executive Officer, Ord River Cooperative, Committee Hansard, 15 May 2023, pp. 26–27.
[5]Mr Tony Chafer, Deputy President, Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley, Committee Hansard, 15 May 2023, p. 11.
[6]Ms Clare Smith, Chief Executive Officer, East Kimberley Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Committee Hansard, 15 May 2023, p. 35.
[7]Mr Malcolm Edwards, President, Shire of Halls Creek, Committee Hansard, 16 May 2023, p. 1.
[8]Mr Tony Chafer, Deputy President, Shire of Wyndham East Kimberley, Committee Hansard, 15 May 2023, pp. 18–19.
[9]Mr Michael McConachy, Managing Director, Aviair, and Managing Director, Helispirit, Committee Hansard, 15 May 2023, p. 42.
[10]Mr Joe Ross, Private capacity, Committee Hansard, 16 May 2023, p. 13.
[11]Mr Wayne Neate, Director, Technical and Development Services, Shire of Derby-West Kimberley, Committee Hansard, 16 May 2023, p. 9.
[12]Ms Sarah Parriman, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Kimberley Land Council, Committee Hansard, 17 May 2023, p. 24.
[13]Mr Geoff Davis, Councillor, Shire of Derby-West Kimberley, Committee Hansard, 16 May 2023, p. 6.
[14]Mrs Vicki May O’Donnell, Chief Executive Officer, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Ltd, Committee Hansard, 17 May 2023, p. 19.
[15]Ms Emily Carter, Chief Executive Officer, Marninwarntikura Women's Resource Centre, Committee Hansard, 16 May 2023, p. 24.
[16]The Hon. Neil Thomson, MLC, Member for the Mining and Pastoral Region, Western Australian Parliament, Committee Hansard, 15 May 2023, p. 1.
[17]Ms Amanda Dexter, Chief Executive Officer, Shire of Derby-West Kimberley, Committee Hansard, 16 May 2023, p. 2.
[18]Mr Geoff Haerewa, President, Shire of Derby-West Kimberley, Committee Hansard, 16 May 2023, p. 3.
[19]Mr Keith Williams, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Shire of Broome, Committee Hansard, 17 May 2023, p. 2.
[20]Mrs Vicki May O’Donnell, Chief Executive Officer, Kimberley Aboriginal Medical Services Ltd, Committee Hansard, 17 May 2023, p. 16.
[21]Ms Sarah Parriman, Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Kimberley Land Council, Committee Hansard, 17 May 2023, p. 23.
[22]Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds, Committee Hansard, 1 March 2024, p. 15.
[23]Mr Phil Parkin, General Manager Network Operations, NBN Co Limited, Committee Hansard, 1 March 2024, p. 10.
[24]Mr Peter Sutherland, Group Owner, Enterprise Managed Services, Telstra, Committee Hansard, 1 March 2024, p. 14.
[25]Mr Alexander Osborne, Head, Regulatory, TPG Telecom, Committee Hansard, 1 March 2024, p. 22.
[26]Mr Alexander Osborne, Head, Regulatory, TPG Telecom, Committee Hansard, 1 March 2024, p. 22.
Senate
House of Representatives
Get informed
Bills
Committees
Get involved
Visit Parliament
Website features
Parliamentary Departments