The Commission welcomed media interest in the Inquiry. Media resources and statements were published to this web page.
The Inquiry concluded its work on 30 April 2020.
Read the Commission’s guideline for journalists who reported on the Inquiry.
Media enquiries about the government’s response to the Inquiry can be directed to the administering agency or relevant Media Advisor.
Because of public health directives to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus, the Paradise Dam Commission of Inquiry will conduct virtual hearings on April 6-7.
Chairperson and Commissioner, John Byrne, said that the parties, media, lawyers and the public will not attend hearings in person.
“Community safety is vital. Using virtual meeting technologies is a necessary precaution”, he said.
“Participating remotely, the parties can present their cases fully no matter where they are on the day.”
“The hearings will still be streamed through the Commission website”, he said.
More information about the Inquiry is available on the Commission’s website.
Responding to public health concerns about the COVID-19 virus, the Paradise Dam Commission of Inquiry will hold its hearings on 6-7 April in Brisbane instead of Bundaberg.
Chairperson and Commissioner, John Byrne, said it’s regrettable that the Commission won’t be in Bundaberg when the parties make their final submissions. But it’s important that we conform with social distancing and other precautions to help curtail the spread of COVID-19.
“The people in the Wide Bay and Burnett region and others following the work of the Inquiry can still access the April hearings through live-streaming,” he said.
Anyone wishing to make a written submission to the Commission can do so by 31 March 2020.
More information about the Inquiry is available on the Commission’s website.
This week, the Paradise Dam Commission of Inquiry will hear witnesses give evidence together about testing the dam for stability.
At the public hearings at the Brisbane Magistrates Court on Tuesday, 10 March, Senior Counsel Assisting the Commission, Jonathan Horton, QC will facilitate a group discussion among five engineers – Ernest Schrader, Stephen Tatro, Timothy Dolen, and Paul Rizzo, from the United States together with an Australian, James Willey.
Chairperson and Commissioner, John Byrne, said the concurrent evidence brings witnesses together to explore critical issues and any different points of view among them.
“For the Commission and those following the Inquiry’s progress, it’s a good opportunity to hear expert witnesses testifying about the same questions simultaneously,” he said.
More information about upcoming witnesses, hearing dates, locations and times is available on the Commission’s website.
Hearings are open to the public and will also be live streamed from our website.
The Paradise Dam Commission of Inquiry is encouraging anyone with information that could aid its investigations to contact the Commission by 3 March 2020.
The Commission is conducting an independent investigation into the root causes of structural and stability issues identified with Paradise Dam.
Commissioner and Chairperson, John Byrne, said the inquiry is examining what went wrong, why, and what can be done to prevent the problems from recurring.
“Anyone who may have relevant information is encouraged to contact the Commission and provide that material, in writing, by 3 March 2020.
“The Commission is underway and it’s important that anyone who feels they could have something of interest is encouraged to make that known so it can be followed up appropriately.
“For people wishing to give information, make a submission or follow proceedings, the Commission has published procedural guidelines, frequently asked questions and contact information on the Commission website,” he said.
The Commission has released a schedule of hearings, with the first witnesses to give evidence in Bundaberg from 3-6 March 2020.
To facilitate full participation of witnesses and their legal representatives in the inquiry, additional hearings are planned for Brisbane on 9-13 and 16-20 March 2020.
Hearings are open to the public and will also be live streamed.
More details about the hearings and the Inquiry’s terms of reference are available on the Commission’s website.
The Paradise Dam Commission of Inquiry is examining the causes of structural and stability issues identified with
the Paradise Dam near Bundaberg. To aid its investigation, the Commission will conduct hearings in Bundaberg and Brisbane.
A schedule of hearing times and locations is available on the Commission website.
Hearings will be open to the public. Live streamed broadcasts and transcripts will be available on the website.
Visit www.paradisedaminquiry.qld.gov.au for more details.