1 Introduction

In 2016 the Inspector-General for Emergency Management (IGEM) assumed sole responsibility for monitoring the implementation of all recommendations and affirmations from the 2014 and 2015–16 Hazelwood mine fire inquiries. The 2018 Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry – Implementation of recommendations and affirmations report is IGEM’s third annual progress report as sole implementation monitor. The 2017 IGEM Hazelwood report found that, overall, significant progress had been achieved to improve emergency planning and coordination, health outcomes and mine rehabilitation in the Latrobe Valley following the Hazelwood mine fire.

Of the 246 actions committed to by the Victorian Government to address the recommendations and affirmations from the Hazelwood mine fire inquiries, the 2017 IGEM Hazelwood report found that 187 had been completed and 59 were ongoing. Of the 40 recommendations and affirmations directed at health agencies and coal mine operators, 28 had been completed and 12 were ongoing. In 2018 IGEM monitored the progress of the remaining 59 Victorian Government actions and 12 recommendations and affirmations directed at non government health agencies and coal mine operators. This report presents the findings of that monitoring. IGEM will continue monitoring the implementation of ongoing recommendations and affirmations and report to Parliament on progress annually until 2019. The Minister for Emergency Services will make IGEM Hazelwood annual reports publicly available.

Image: Photograph from the exhibition, ‘Our Hopes for the Future of Morwell’ Source: Hazelwood Health Study, Community Wellbeing stream