Threadbo Landslide 1997

Thredbo landslide 1997 Introduction The Thredbo landslide shook the small community of Thredbo, both physically in the shaking of the ground during the landslide, and emotionally in the death of 18 skiers. This analysis will give outline of the event that occurred followed by the potential for injury or further disaster. The actual rescue efforts will then be discussed followed by potential for change and an analysis of how it was carried out. Proceeding this the efforts by various government agencies will be discussed in terms of their involvement and what they may have done differently. Incident description This incident was beyond the resources of the local community and people were coordinated from all over Australia to give relief. These organisations included; NSW Police services, Australian Federal Police, NSW Fire Brigade, ACT Fire Brigade, Victorian Fire and Rescue, Queensland Fire and rescue, Western Australian Fire and rescue, Tasmanian Fire and rescue, NSW Rural fire services, NSW Ambulance service, ACT Ambulance service, NSW State emergency services, Volunteer rescue association, Emergence services ACT, Salvation Army, HMAS Albatross, Mines rescue board NSW, Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Authority, National Parks and Wildlife and Doctors from all over the country. At any one time there were almost 1600 people working on the site at Thredbo. The Thredbo landslide carried with it about 1000 tonnes of earth, rock and trees which slipped rapidly down a steep slope, shearing the Carinya lodge off its foundations and slamming into the Bimadeen lodge. Both multilevel lodges were crushed along with cars in the 400m long landslide. While the landslide was quite small compared to others, having only 1300m of cubic volume, varying from 30 metres to 90 meters in span, it had a devastating effect on the small community of Thredbo. Potential presentation of disaster It was twenty four hours before a geotechnican declared the site as safe

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