The independent inquiries following the 2014 Hazelwood Mine Fire triggered a sweeping program of reforms across government, community and industry.

Since 2016 Inspector-General for Emergency Management (IGEM) has provided independent monitoring and public reporting of the implementation of all recommendations and affirmations from the 2014 and 2015–16 Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry reports.

This 2019 annual report is the Inspector-General’s final implementation monitoring report prepared for government that is required to be tabled in Parliament.

It monitors progress of the 35 government actions and 10 non-government recommendations and affirmations reported as ongoing in IGEM’s Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry: Implementation of recommendations and affirmations Annual Report 2018 

In summary:

• 230 of the 246 actions set out in the Victorian Government Implementation Plan are now either closed or complete.

• All 14 recommendations and affirmations directed to health agencies are now complete.

• 25 of the 26 recommendations and affirmations directed to coal mine operators are now complete.

In 2019 IGEM extended its reporting to include effectiveness monitoring of three completed actions, which provides further assurance that implemented actions have successfully achieved their objectives.

Through this monitoring approach, IGEM found that overall, the three actions monitored have been implemented effectively.

While these reforms are now close to completion, IGEM will continue monitoring the majority of the remaining actions and recommendations.

In addition, through a range of assurance activities, IGEM’s ongoing work with the emergency management sector will foster the continuous improvement, supporting improved outcomes for the state and the Victorian community.

The Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry Implementation of recommendations and affirmations - Annual Report 2019 was tabled in Parliament on 18 June 2020.

 You can access the report from the link at the bottom of this page, or view as a flipbook (External link).

 

 

 

Government response

The government welcomes the Inspector-General's Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry – Annual Report 2019.

'Since the 2014-and 2015-16 Hazelwood mine fire inquiries, a sweeping program of reform focusing on changes at government, community and industry level, has been implemented. While the scale and complexity of reforms implemented has been considerable, the reforms are now close to completion.

Although this is the last IGEM Annual Report to be tabled in Parliament, the Victorian Government remains committed to the delivery of all outstanding actions to ensure these reforms have a lasting positive impact on Victoria’s emergency response and the Latrobe Valley community.'

 

Read the government's full response from emv.vic.gov.au (External link)

(Image representing resilience and recovery courtesy Latrobe City Council)

Author
Inspector-General for Emergency Management
Publisher
Victorian Government
Date of Publication

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