HAZELWOOD MINE FIRE INQUIRY COMMUNITY CONSULTATIONS CONCLUDE

Community consultations for the Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry concluded today with around 200 people participating in seven sessions held at Morwell, Moe, Churchill and Traralgon.

Chair of the Board of Inquiry, Bernard Teague, said that the consultations had been extremely valuable in getting an appreciation of the impact of the fire on Morwell and Latrobe Valley residents.

‘The information we have gathered will assist us to prioritise the program of the Inquiry in the preparation of the final report due August 2014’.

Summaries of the community consultation discussions will be available at hazelwoodinquiry.archive.vic.gov.au by the end of April 2014.

‘The community consultation sessions are just one of the ways in which the Board  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’.

The Board of Inquiry will receive written submissions up to 4.00pm on Monday, 12 May 2014.  Anyone wishing for assistance in preparing their submissions may call the Neighbourhood House on 5134 5488 or make an appointment with the Inquiry Secretariat by calling 1300 442 972.

Formal public hearings will commence in Morwell at the end of May 2014.  Details will be posted on the Inquiry’s website.

For more information 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).

Media and Communications Manager, Tracey Matters, 0417 230 503

Last Updated on Wednesday, 16 April 2014