How the Grantham floods inquiry played out

SNAPSHOT OF THE GRANTHAM FLOOD INQUIRY:

THE DISASTER

Unprecedented heavy rain and flooding hit southeast Queensland in January 2011, killing 38 people. The worst hit area was Grantham, where 12 people died when rapid flooding engulfed the town on January 10. Some bodies were never recovered. Survivors were forced to rush to higher ground or climb on top of roofs to await rescue. Cars and houses were washed away.

THE CAMPAIGN

Many Grantham residents felt ignored by the wider Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry, which handed down its findings in 2012. They campaigned for a specific inquiry about Grantham, particularly given their belief a quarry embankment on the town's outskirts caused a wall of water to hit the town.

THE INQUIRY

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced in May that former solicitor-in-general Walter Sofronoff QC would head the Grantham Floods Commission of Inquiry. The $2.5 million inquiry was held for five weeks in nearby Gatton and heard from residents, quarry employees, former quarry owner Denis Wagner, emergency services and experts.

THE FINDINGS

Mr Sofronoff handed down his report on Thursday, finding that neither the quarry nor any other man-made structures significantly impacted the floods. No recommendations were offered in the report, with Mr Sofronoff saying nothing could have been done to have avoided the tragedy. He said the inquiry was an important cathartic tool for residents who felt they were ignored.

THE VERDICTS

There have been mixed reactions to the findings. Resident Marty Warburton says most residents accepted the decision. He said the inquiry helped residents process the tragedy. Lockyer Valley Mayor Steve Jones has agreed. Lockyer MP Ian Rickuss says the $2.5 million spent on the inquiry was a waste of money and would have been better spent on flood mitigation.