Qld fire chief leaving after 'the toughest of times'

During his stint, Mr Leach oversaw the state's emergency services response to significant events including the devastating 2020 fires on K'gari, formerly known as Fraser Island, and floods in 2022. 

"Many of you would have heard me talk about Queensland being the most disaster-prone state in Australia," Mr Leach said in a statement.

"Through a global pandemic, catastrophic fires, floods and storms, through disasters both natural and human-created, together we have endured the toughest of times."

Queensland's Fire and Emergency Services Minister Mark Ryan on Tuesday said Mr Leach's stint also included the start of significant QFES structural reforms.

Mr Leach said among the achievements he was most proud of was the support provided to Queenslanders during the global pandemic.

He also cited the work to incorporate First Nations knowledge in Queensland's bushfire management approach and the development of a mental health strategy for personnel.

Mr Leach reflected on the sacrifice of SES volunteer Merryl Dray and firefighter Izabella Nash during his tenure.

Ms Dray drowned during the February 2022 floods while Ms Nash died after responding to a factory blaze in May.

"The collective grief felt by emergency services at the loss of colleagues is a true hallmark of the camaraderie and sense of family that exists in our organisation," he said.

Mr Ryan said the QFES chief would move back to Victoria to take up a new position and spend more time with family.

Ahead of what promises to be a hot summer, Mr Ryan said the process to select a new Commissioner would begin in the "very near future".

Australia's Bureau of Meteorology last month declared an El Nino event.

El Nino events typically deliver drier conditions for much of the country, particularly eastern Australia, as well as above-average temperatures.