NSW Bushfires coronial inquiry
Coronial investigations into deaths, property damage or destruction arising from the 2019-20 NSW Bushfire season have been ongoing and complex. The scale of the fires has meant a number of other investigations have already taken place, including the NSW Independent Bushfire Inquiry and the Royal Commission into Natural Disaster Arrangements. Reports from each of these investigations have been publicly released.
The review by the State Coroner is focussing on events particular to each death and fire rather than the large scale themes extensively canvassed in other investigations already reported.
NSW Bushfires Coronial Inquiry
The State Coroner will be conducting a series of coronial inquests and inquiries relating to the 2019-20 NSW Bushfire season.
Proceedings commenced with an opening address on 25 August 2021.
Hearing of the coronial inquests and inquiries are scheduled to resume on 5 September 2022 (see details below).
These proceedings are subject to procedures under the State Coroner's COVID-19 Memorandum No. 6 (PDF , 117.0 KB). All hearings will be conducted consistent with applicable COVID-safe practices.
The Coroners Court will live stream for the public and media all hearings. Further information about the live stream.
Subject to further directions, hearings are scheduled as follows:
- Coroners Court, Lidcombe: 28 February – 4 March 2022
- Coroners Court, Lidcombe: 7 – 18 March 2022
- Coroners Court, Lidcombe: 21 – 25 March 2022
- Coroners Court, Lidcombe: 9 – 13 May 2022
- Katoomba Local Court: 15 – 24 June 2022
- Coroners Court, Lidcombe: 27 June – 1 July 2022
- Coroners Court, Lidcombe: 5 - 29 September 2022
- Coroners Court, Lidcombe: 20 March - 6 April 2023
- Coroners Court, Lidcombe: 15 - 26 May 2023
The proposed schedule for further hearing dates, including the Stage 2 hearings in September 2022, is as follows:
Date |
Proceedings/Subject areas* |
Stage 2 representative case study hearings 5-29 September 2022 Lidcombe |
Investigation of fires (Police)(Creewah Road, Glen Allen Fire; Big Jack Mountain Road, Cathcart Fire and Postmans Trail Tantawangalo Fire) Investigation of fires (RFS)(Mount Mackenzie Road, Tenterfield Fire and Grose Valley, Mt Wilson Fire) Communications and Warnings(Kangawalla, Diehard Fire) Bushfire risk classification(Failford Rd, Darawank Fire) |
Stage 1 Hearing- Southern Region (Week 6) 20-24 March 2023 |
Inquest into the death of Paul Hudson Inquest into the death of Ian McBeth Inquest into the death of Rick DeMorgan Jr |
Stage 2 representative case study hearings 27 March-6 April 2023 & 15 - 26 May 2023 |
Fire Prediction Modelling Vehicle Design and Safety Backburning |
*This schedule is subject to change.
Interested parties
If it appears to the Coroner that a person has a sufficient interest in the subject matter of this Inquiry, they may be granted leave to appear or to be legally represented.
An ‘interested party’ is not necessarily entitled to participate in any hearing and ask questions of witnesses unless leave to do so has been granted by the Coroner.
A person who may be a witness during a hearing will not usually be granted leave to appear unless the Coroner has determined they are an interested party.
If you believe you have a legitimate interest in this Inquiry, you may register your interest by writing to the Solicitor Assisting containing the name of the relevant fire and the basis upon which you state you have a legitimate interest in that fire. Please provide registration of your interest to: bushfires.legal@justice.nsw.gov.au.
Submissions
The submission process was open during 16 June - 1 October 2021. All submissions received will be reviewed.
Further information
Any questions can be directed to:
Mr Lyncoln Chee, Director
Inquests, Inquiries & Representation
Legal, Department of Communities and Justice
Phone: (02) 8688 0101
Email: bushfires.legal@justice.nsw.gov.au
Post: Locked Bag 5111, Parramatta NSW 2141
If you are unable to make a submission online, please call Legal, Department of Communities and Justice on (02) 8688 0101.
The Court also has a list of useful help and support contacts which can be found here.
