Keelty Report
The Keelty Report | Implementation Group and Working Groups | Stakeholder Consultation | Media Releases | Useful Links
The Keelty Report
The report titled ‘A Shared Responsibility: The Report of the Perth Hills Bushfire February 2011 Review’ was commissioned by the Western Australian Government in response to the Perth hills bushfire. The fire occurred on 6 February 2011 in the Roleystone-Kelmscott area of the Perth hills, destroying 71 homes and damaging a further 39.
The report was prepared by the former head of the Australian Federal Police, Mr Mick Keelty AO APM, and contains 55 recommendations which were endorsed by the Government in principle, subject to further analysis and consideration by relevant government agencies and other key stakeholders. The report was tabled by the Premier in Parliament on 17 August 2011.
The inquiry had regard to all aspects of bushfire risk management in the Perth hills area with specific reference to:
- The adequacy of current preventative measures, specifically prescribed burning and other bushfire mitigation activities.
- The impact of land use, environmental and building laws, practices and policies in the affected areas, affecting bushfire prevention, mitigation and response and what, if any, changes may be required.
- The actions that can and should be taken by landowners, residents and tenants in relation to bushfire risk management including undertaking vegetation clearance, operation of evaporative air-conditioners and storage and/or removal of hazardous inflammable material surrounding their dwellings and buildings. This included consideration of associated enforcement regimes and penalties.
- The adequacy and effectiveness of information and communication campaigns and mechanisms, including systems for alerting residents in relation to the fire or potential fires.
- Improvements that can be made in relation to the coordination of activities across all levels of government, including with volunteer groups.
A copy of the report can obtained through the following link: Perth Hills Bushfire Report February 2011
Copies of submissions to the Review can be obtained through the following link: Government of Western Australia
Implementation Group and Working Groups
An Implementation Group has been formed by the Government to oversee the implementation of the Keelty Report recommendations. It meets fortnightly and its membership is comprised of:
- Director General, Department of the Premier and Cabinet (Chair)
- Public Sector Commissioner
- CEO, Fire and Emergency Services Authority (FESA)
- Director General, Department of Environment and Conservation
- Commissioner of Police
- CEO, Western Australian Local Government Association
- Volunteer nominee of the Bush Fire Service Consultative Committee (representing all of the volunteer associations)
Working groups were formed to analyse all of the Keelty Report recommendations, consult relevant stakeholders, and oversee the development of implementation plans and the implementation of the recommendations.
The working groups are each responsible for a set of recommendations and are currently as follows:
- Mitigation - Risk Definition Working Group
- Mitigation - Mitigation Responsibilities Working Group
- Response - Policy and Planning Working Group
- Response - Equipment and Skills Working Group
- Legislation and Departmental Structure Working Group
The working groups meet fortnightly. Membership includes those organisations represented on the Implementation Group and other relevant government agencies. Volunteer associations are represented on each group.
Stakeholder Consultation
In analysing and implementing the Keelty Report recommendations an open and transparent process has been adopted. It is intended that every fortnight, the working groups prepare a succinct summary of progress on each recommendation including key issues, actions to date and next steps. This information is included in documents entitled Stakeholder Briefings, which are available to anyone who wants to be kept informed of progress on implementation of the recommendations or wishes to provide input. The working groups consider all of the feedback provided. Copies of Stakeholder Briefings can be obtained by clicking on the links below:
Stakeholder Briefings
Feedback on the Stakeholder Briefings can be sent to Genevieve.Young@dpc.wa.gov.au. Volunteers should provide feedback through their volunteer association.
Media Releases
The following media releases are relevant to the Keelty Report and its recommendations:
- DEC mops up after Carnarvon fire supression - 3 February 2012
- Emergency centre for Augusta-Margaret River - 20 January 2012
- Gesture of gratitude to volunteer firefighters - 7 January 2012
- Massive water bomber arrives in WA (Video) - 30 December 2011
- Drafting Approval to restructure FESA - 23 December 2011
- Elvis coming to WA for the summer - 8 November 2011
- Emergency services on alert for a busy season - 4 November 2011
- WA prepares for another tough bushfire season - 15 October 2011
- Forum on bushfire reseatch - 10 October 2011
- Strategic burn to mitigate Nullarbor bushfires – 14 September 2011
- State Government appoints new FESA CEO – 13 September 2011
- Government to implement Perth Hills Bushfire Review recommendations – 17 August 2011
- Perth Hills Bushfire Review – 13 May 2011
- Perth Hills Bushfire Review – 21 April 2011
- Terms set for Perth Hills Bushfire review – 23 February 2011
- State Government donates $1 million to Hills fire victims – 08 February 2011
- Natural disaster relief available for Perth bushfires – 07 February 2011
Ministerial Media Statements can be obtained through the following link: Media Statements - Home
Useful Links
FESA - Fire and Emergency Services Authority of Western Australia
Fire - Department of Environment and Conservation
Water Corporation - Bushfires and Your Water Supply
Water Corporation - Waterwise Plants