Published Wednesday, 06 December, 2006 at 04:41 PM
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
CYCLONE SUMMIT TO HELP BUILD RESILIENT COMMUNITIES
Experts on cyclones and disasters from around Australia and internationally are gathering in Cairns today for the 2006 Cyclone Summit Living with cyclones – Queensland prepared to be held at James Cook University campus.
Premier Peter Beattie said the Queensland Government was tapping into their collective experience in its efforts to reduce the impact of cyclones on Queensland’s tropical communities.
“The Cyclone Summit being held in Cairns today and tomorrow will help make Queensland more resilient to cyclones,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Queensland Government has invited a respected line-up of state, national and international speakers* to provide valuable insights on how communities and governments can better prepare for and respond to cyclones.
“We have speakers who are recognised as leaders in their field talking on a range of issues and topics,” Mr Beattie said.
“In the last hundred years about 185 cyclones have made landfall in Queensland.
“With recent experiences with Cyclone Monica and Larry, the Queensland Government is committed to ensuring we learn from the experience of others as well as share our own experience of cyclones.”
Mr Beattie said the Cyclone Summit would identify innovative strategies based on local and international experiences to help Queensland communities better prepare for, respond to and recover from cyclones into the future.
The eminent speakers include:
• General Peter Cosgrove (retired) – Operation Recovery Taskforce
• Bill Jenkins – Director of Homeland Security and Justice Issues, US Government Accountability Office
• Joseph Cappiello – Vice President, Accreditation Field Operations, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organisations, US
• Sandy Hollway – Operation Recovery Taskforce
• Dr Neville Smith – Head of Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre
• Ross Rolfe – Director-General, Department of the Premier and Cabinet
• Bruce Mouatt AM – Director, Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Services
• Chris Cunnington – Insurance Council of Australia
• Dr Alison Cottrell – Centre for Disaster Studies, School of Tropical Environmental Studies, James Cook University
Queensland Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell said the summit would explore a number of topics including the recovery experience and lessons learned from Cyclone Larry.
“It will also look at any implications for other state governments, international lessons learnt and applied after Hurricane Katrina, preparedness for disasters, and climate change trends in Australia and in the region,” Mr Purcell said.
“Our hope is that we will all better understand risks such as climate change, and the potential impacts on our growing coastal communities, including increased size, frequency and geographic range of cyclones.”
Mr Purcell said the summit would build upon the lessons learnt from Cyclone Larry and other Australian experiences, as well as on international experience and research, to better prepare Queensland for cyclones.
“Cyclones have always been a part of life in Queensland, but soon they might be bigger, more frequent and further south because of climate change,” Mr Purcell said.
“Smart State cyclone strategies should be based on the best research and experience available, here and internationally,” he said.
“The aim of this summit is to build a better prepared Queensland.’’
Media inquries: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Minister Purcell’s office Tim Shipstone 0409620 571
7 December 2006
*Speaker list attached
Media wishing to interview any of the speakers should contact Leah Hornibrook on 0408 159 146 to make the arrangements.
Distinguished speakers will include:
General Peter Cosgrove AC, MC (Ret)
General Cosgrove continues to head up the Cyclone Larry Operation Recovery Task Force. In 1999, as Commander of the Deployable Joint Force Headquarters he assumed command of the International Forces in East Timor (INTERFET). Shortly after he was appointed Chief of Army and in July 2002 assumed the position of Chief of the Defence Force, until his retirement in July 2005. He was awarded the Military Cross during his service in Vietnam and was Australian of the Year in 2001.
Bill Jenkins
Mr Jenkins is the Director of Homeland Security and Justice Issues for the US Government Accountability Office (GAO). He led and coordinated GAO's work on the preparation for and response to Hurricane Katrina that has resulted in more than 30 reports to date on a variety of topics such as mass care and temporary housing. Mr Jenkins will discuss lessons learnt in relation to preparedness and how lessons from Katrina have been incorporated into overall arrangements to improve emergency preparedness for the recent Hurricane season.
Joseph Cappiello
As the Vice President for Accreditation Field Operations at the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Mr Cappiello is responsible for the management of accreditation processes for 15,000 hospitals. He has facilitated sessions on lessons learnt forums with the 40 hospitals involved in Hurricane Katrina. At the Summit, he will speak about preparedness for disasters, including cyclones, for healthcare organisations.
Sandy Hollway
Mr Hollway is a Director of the consultancy company TFG International Pty Ltd and a member of the Cyclone Larry Operation Recovery Task Force. In January 2003, he was appointed to Chair the Taskforce to coordinate Canberra’s recovery from the devastation of one of the worst bushfires in Australia's history. He was also CEO of the Sydney Organising Committee for the 2000 Olympic Games. Mr Hollway will discuss how lessons learnt from other disasters informed the Cyclone Larry response and recovery.
Dr Neville Smith
Dr Neville Smith is the Chief Scientist of the Bureau of Meteorology and has led ocean and climate research in the Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre over the last two decades. Dr Smith led the initial development of the seasonal climate prediction system in the Bureau before turning his attention to climate observations and ocean observations in particular. He played a significant role in the development of international climate and ocean research programs and, more recently, led the development of operational ocean systems. Dr Smith will be discussing climate change trends and implications for Far North Queensland, coastal communities and South East Queensland.
Ross Rolfe
Mr Rolfe is Director-General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and Coordinator-General. Mr Rolfe is a member of the Cyclone Larry Operation Recovery Task Force. He is a former Director-General of the Department of Environment and Heritage and the Department of State Development. He will discuss government policy response and outcomes.
Bruce Mouatt AM
Bruce Mouatt is the Director of the Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Services with the overall responsibility for the management of the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service and the Northern Territory Emergency Service. Mr Moatt joined the NTFRS earlier this year and is playing a key role in shaping the challenging future of the Service. He will discuss how the Northern Territory is applying lessons learnt from cyclones, including Cyclone Monica.
Chris Cunnington
Mr Cunnington is Suncorp Group’s General Manager, Regulatory Affairs. He has managed all insurance industry reporting to and from the Cyclone Larry Operation Recovery Task Force, coordinated meetings with insurance and building industry representatives and brokered resolution of insurance issues. He will discuss the implications of climate change and lessons learned from Cyclone Larry.
Dr Alison Cottrell
Dr Cottrell is Senior Lecturer at the Cairns campus of James Cook University and has a particular interest in the use and development of qualitative research methods to approach complex environmental and disaster management and planning issues. She will address the Summit on the issue of building resilient communities.
Premier Peter Beattie said the Queensland Government was tapping into their collective experience in its efforts to reduce the impact of cyclones on Queensland’s tropical communities.
“The Cyclone Summit being held in Cairns today and tomorrow will help make Queensland more resilient to cyclones,” Mr Beattie said.
“The Queensland Government has invited a respected line-up of state, national and international speakers* to provide valuable insights on how communities and governments can better prepare for and respond to cyclones.
“We have speakers who are recognised as leaders in their field talking on a range of issues and topics,” Mr Beattie said.
“In the last hundred years about 185 cyclones have made landfall in Queensland.
“With recent experiences with Cyclone Monica and Larry, the Queensland Government is committed to ensuring we learn from the experience of others as well as share our own experience of cyclones.”
Mr Beattie said the Cyclone Summit would identify innovative strategies based on local and international experiences to help Queensland communities better prepare for, respond to and recover from cyclones into the future.
The eminent speakers include:
• General Peter Cosgrove (retired) – Operation Recovery Taskforce
• Bill Jenkins – Director of Homeland Security and Justice Issues, US Government Accountability Office
• Joseph Cappiello – Vice President, Accreditation Field Operations, Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organisations, US
• Sandy Hollway – Operation Recovery Taskforce
• Dr Neville Smith – Head of Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre
• Ross Rolfe – Director-General, Department of the Premier and Cabinet
• Bruce Mouatt AM – Director, Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Services
• Chris Cunnington – Insurance Council of Australia
• Dr Alison Cottrell – Centre for Disaster Studies, School of Tropical Environmental Studies, James Cook University
Queensland Emergency Services Minister Pat Purcell said the summit would explore a number of topics including the recovery experience and lessons learned from Cyclone Larry.
“It will also look at any implications for other state governments, international lessons learnt and applied after Hurricane Katrina, preparedness for disasters, and climate change trends in Australia and in the region,” Mr Purcell said.
“Our hope is that we will all better understand risks such as climate change, and the potential impacts on our growing coastal communities, including increased size, frequency and geographic range of cyclones.”
Mr Purcell said the summit would build upon the lessons learnt from Cyclone Larry and other Australian experiences, as well as on international experience and research, to better prepare Queensland for cyclones.
“Cyclones have always been a part of life in Queensland, but soon they might be bigger, more frequent and further south because of climate change,” Mr Purcell said.
“Smart State cyclone strategies should be based on the best research and experience available, here and internationally,” he said.
“The aim of this summit is to build a better prepared Queensland.’’
Media inquries: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Minister Purcell’s office Tim Shipstone 0409620 571
7 December 2006
*Speaker list attached
Media wishing to interview any of the speakers should contact Leah Hornibrook on 0408 159 146 to make the arrangements.
Distinguished speakers will include:
General Peter Cosgrove AC, MC (Ret)
General Cosgrove continues to head up the Cyclone Larry Operation Recovery Task Force. In 1999, as Commander of the Deployable Joint Force Headquarters he assumed command of the International Forces in East Timor (INTERFET). Shortly after he was appointed Chief of Army and in July 2002 assumed the position of Chief of the Defence Force, until his retirement in July 2005. He was awarded the Military Cross during his service in Vietnam and was Australian of the Year in 2001.
Bill Jenkins
Mr Jenkins is the Director of Homeland Security and Justice Issues for the US Government Accountability Office (GAO). He led and coordinated GAO's work on the preparation for and response to Hurricane Katrina that has resulted in more than 30 reports to date on a variety of topics such as mass care and temporary housing. Mr Jenkins will discuss lessons learnt in relation to preparedness and how lessons from Katrina have been incorporated into overall arrangements to improve emergency preparedness for the recent Hurricane season.
Joseph Cappiello
As the Vice President for Accreditation Field Operations at the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, Mr Cappiello is responsible for the management of accreditation processes for 15,000 hospitals. He has facilitated sessions on lessons learnt forums with the 40 hospitals involved in Hurricane Katrina. At the Summit, he will speak about preparedness for disasters, including cyclones, for healthcare organisations.
Sandy Hollway
Mr Hollway is a Director of the consultancy company TFG International Pty Ltd and a member of the Cyclone Larry Operation Recovery Task Force. In January 2003, he was appointed to Chair the Taskforce to coordinate Canberra’s recovery from the devastation of one of the worst bushfires in Australia's history. He was also CEO of the Sydney Organising Committee for the 2000 Olympic Games. Mr Hollway will discuss how lessons learnt from other disasters informed the Cyclone Larry response and recovery.
Dr Neville Smith
Dr Neville Smith is the Chief Scientist of the Bureau of Meteorology and has led ocean and climate research in the Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre over the last two decades. Dr Smith led the initial development of the seasonal climate prediction system in the Bureau before turning his attention to climate observations and ocean observations in particular. He played a significant role in the development of international climate and ocean research programs and, more recently, led the development of operational ocean systems. Dr Smith will be discussing climate change trends and implications for Far North Queensland, coastal communities and South East Queensland.
Ross Rolfe
Mr Rolfe is Director-General of the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and Coordinator-General. Mr Rolfe is a member of the Cyclone Larry Operation Recovery Task Force. He is a former Director-General of the Department of Environment and Heritage and the Department of State Development. He will discuss government policy response and outcomes.
Bruce Mouatt AM
Bruce Mouatt is the Director of the Northern Territory Fire and Emergency Services with the overall responsibility for the management of the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service and the Northern Territory Emergency Service. Mr Moatt joined the NTFRS earlier this year and is playing a key role in shaping the challenging future of the Service. He will discuss how the Northern Territory is applying lessons learnt from cyclones, including Cyclone Monica.
Chris Cunnington
Mr Cunnington is Suncorp Group’s General Manager, Regulatory Affairs. He has managed all insurance industry reporting to and from the Cyclone Larry Operation Recovery Task Force, coordinated meetings with insurance and building industry representatives and brokered resolution of insurance issues. He will discuss the implications of climate change and lessons learned from Cyclone Larry.
Dr Alison Cottrell
Dr Cottrell is Senior Lecturer at the Cairns campus of James Cook University and has a particular interest in the use and development of qualitative research methods to approach complex environmental and disaster management and planning issues. She will address the Summit on the issue of building resilient communities.