Wednesday, 18 October 2023

 Martin CAMERON (Morwell) (14:41): (364) My constituency question is for the Minister for Emergency Services in the other place, and the question I ask is: what is being done to prevent another Hazelwood mine fire? February will mark 10 years since the Latrobe Valley endured its darkest period. For 45 days the region was shrouded in smoke and ash rained down from the skies as the fire in the Hazelwood mine raged out of control. Some residents tried to flee; others were forced to stay indoors. The air quality was so poor that people immediately began suffering adverse health effects. A decade on, the memories, scars and health impacts caused by the mine fires are still present. As we brace for another dry, hot summer, constituents have raised concerns about the possibility of another fire in the Hazelwood mine. The mine is currently partially filled with water, but any exposed coal, particularly during a long, hot summer, poses a grave fire risk. Minister, what is being done to combat the fire risk in the Hazelwood mine and prevent another catastrophic event from occurring?