The Andrews Labor Government is getting on with improving the health and well-being of families in the Latrobe Valley and making sure mines are safe and can be rehabilitated, with the Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry Implementation Plan tabled today in Parliament.
The Implementation Plan outlines the Government’s response to the 2014 and reopened Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry Reports, which together made 44 recommendations and 45 affirmations.
The Labor Government reopened the Inquiry to get to the bottom of community health, safety and environmental concerns that were dismissed by the former Coalition Government.
The re-opened Inquiry vindicated the local Latrobe Valley community and gave them the answers, certainty and justice they always deserved.
More than $80 million has been invested by the Labor Government to support the community and implement the recommendations of the 2014 and re-opened Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry reports.
The Implementation Plan delivers on every single one of the Inquiry’s recommendations, and sets out a clear plan for how the Government will work side by side with communities in the Valley to improve their health and well-being, ensure coal mining is safe in the present, and support mine rehabilitation into the future.
This work includes:
- Investing to improve health outcomes of current and future generations of Latrobe Valley communities
- Reviewing the scope and structure of the long term health study
- Testing for coal ash contamination in the roof cavities in Morwell
- Expanding the State Smoke Framework to increase protection for communities during smoke events
- Establishing permanent air quality monitoring sites in the Latrobe Valley
- Developing a regional strategy for rehabilitation planning and modernising the regulation of coal mines
- Increasing the rehabilitation bonds for the Latrobe Valley Coal Mines
The Inspector-General for Emergency Management will monitor and annually report on the progress to implement the recommendations of the Inquiry Reports to hold the Government to account.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Health Jill Hennessy
“After being abandoned by the former Coalition Government, we’re working side by side with the community to achieve long-lasting change and put the health and well-being of Latrobe Valley families first.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Resources Wade Noonan
“Latrobe Valley communities can be confident that we are taking the action we need to make sure mines are safe and will be rehabilitated.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing
“We’re working with communities to repair the damage and neglect of the former Coalition Government and investing on the ground to make the Latrobe Valley healthier, safer and stronger.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020