The NSW Government has commissioned an independent expert inquiry into the 2019-20 bushfire season to provide input ahead of the next bushfire season.
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Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that the six-month Inquiry will be led by Dave Owens, former Deputy Commissioner of NSW Police, and Professor Mary O'Kane, Independent Planning Commission Chair and former NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer.
They will consider the impact of climate change, hazard reduction burns, drought and human activity.
The relationship between state and federal authorities will also be examined.
"We want it to be timely so that we can ensure if there are any issues we need to deal with we can deal with those ahead of the next bushfire season," Ms Berejiklian said at the launch.
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The Inquiry welcomes submissions from bushfire-affected residents, emergency and support personnel, organisations and the general public.
Everyone is encouraged to share their experience and tell their story to inform the Inquiry's work.
The Inquiry will also be travelling to bushfire affected communities to meet with and hear directly from people who have been affected. Local communities will be informed ahead of all visits to ensure as many people as possible can be reached.
Submissions can be made via an online form or by:
- 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
- In-person: at any Service NSW service centre (the new Tenterfield one is in the Coles complex) or at a Mobile Service Centre.
The deadline for submissions is March 27, but this can be extended for those directly affected by the fires.