NSW Bushfires

NSW Bushfires Coronial Inquiry

The State Coroner has completed 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 and hearings took place on the following dates:

• Coroners Court, Lidcombe: 6 September – 1 October 2021
• 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  
• Coroners Court, Lidcombe: 7-10 August 2023                      

The Livestream of the hearings can be accessed via this link: https://www.youtube.com/@coronerscourtofnewsouthwal5253/streams . 

Findings

The State Coroner handed down Findings and Recommendations from the 2019/2020 NSW Bushfires Coronial Inquiry on 27 March 2024. 

A copy of the Findings and Recommendations can be found below: 

• Inquests and Inquiries into the 2019/2020 NSW Bushfire Season - Findings and Recommendations - Volume 1
• Inquests and Inquiries into the 2019/2020 NSW Bushfire Season - Findings and Recommendations - Volume 2

Any questions can be directed to the Department of Communities and Justice Legal Team:

• Ph: (02) 8688 0101
• Email: bushfires.legal@justice.nsw.gov.au

All media inquiries should be directed to the Lower Courts media team, Department of Communities and Justice, localcourtmedia@dcj.nsw.gov.au

Submissions

The submission process was open during 16 June - 1 October 2021. All submissions received have been 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 have any questions, 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.