Queensland Premier Anna Bligh has announced the state’s Flood Commission of Inquiry will be extended to conduct further investigations into last year’s extensive flooding. Ms Bligh’s announcement comes after Commissioner Cate Holmes advised the Premier she would be holding further hearings and would require an extension to the Inquiry’s reporting date.

 

“I advised I would be prepared to grant an extension,” Ms Bligh said.

 

“I also advised the Commissioner the granting of such an extension could have implications for the timing of elections and this would require me to seek urgent legal advice on a number of options.”

 

“I am awaiting this advice and will make a further public statement once I have received and considered it.”

 

The original reporting date of February 24 will be pushed back so that the Commission will be able to conduct a further six more hearings, starting next week.

 

The announcement comes after a week of renewed criticism of the operation of the Wivenhoe Dam, with The Australian claiming to have documents that show SEQ Water failed to follow proper flood procedure during the lead up to the flooding.