BOARD ENCOURAGES COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION

The Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry will begin holding community consultations
tomorrow at Kernot Hall, Princes Drive, Morwell. The Board of Inquiry is
encouraging as many community members as possible to attend.

‘The community consultation process is designed to give everyone that comes
along a chance to talk to us, tell us their story and have their say’, said
Bernard Teague, chair of the Board.

Each consultation will take about two and a half hours.

‘The first half hour is really just an informal meet and greet – as people
arrive they can help themselves to light refreshments and if they want to,
talk to the individual Board members. We’re all looking forward to meeting
people, saying hello, and having a bit of a chat’ said Sonia Petering,
member of the Board.

‘The next hour and a half is the more formal part of the session, where a
facilitator will lead small group discussions, where people can talk
amongst themselves, focussing on what worked, what didn’t work and what
could be improved. Each table will nominate a spokesperson to share key
themes and issues with the rest of the room. This gives everyone an
opportunity to contribute anonymously or publicly, it’s up to you’.

The first session, starting on Thursday, 10 April 2014 at 12.30 pm is the
first of seven consultations with four scheduled in Morwell, and one each
in Moe, Churchill and Traralgon.

‘The community consultation sessions are just one of the ways in which the
Board of Inquiry is collecting information about the Hazelwood mine fire.
We also welcome written submissions from anyone who can provide the Inquiry
with valuable insights and information’, said Professor John Catford, third
member of the Board.

To register for one of the sessions, please call the Recovery Call Centre
on 1800 017 777.

For more information about the Inquiry, community consultations and how to
make a submission visit hazelwoodinquiry.archive.vic.gov.au , call 1300 442 972, or
talk to an Inquiry staff member at the Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry
Secretariat office located at 20 Hazelwood Road, Morwell, 3840
(appointments preferred).

Contact: Media and Communications Manager, Tracey Matters, 0417 230 503

Last Updated on Wednesday, 09 April 2014