With summer fast approaching it’s important that the three Latrobe Valley coal mine operators are doing everything possible to reduce the chances of fire at the mines.
Resources Victoria is working with the coal mine operators and Fire Rescue Victoria to ensure operators are well prepared, reducing the risk of fire and have everything in place to respond should there be an incident.
Resources Victoria inspectors regularly check operations at each coal mine to make sure the necessary safeguards are in place, fire risk planning is finalised and response preparations are completed.
Fire risk management plans are required to be in place at these mines to ensure preparation and response capabilities are established through day-to-day activities, with the ability to escalate readiness levels on high fire risk days.
Emergency management plans outline a range of measures, including specific staffing and equipment levels to support surveillance and response.
The national Seasonal Bushfire Outlook for Spring 2025 indicates an increased fire risk across south-west Gippsland.
Quotes attributable to Executive Director Regulatory Operations Laura Helm
“Each coal mine has a fire management plan and it’s important that these sites do everything required to reduce the risk of fire each and every day.”
“The coal mine operators have been planning for summer, and we’ll continue inspecting and auditing the sites to ensure they are prepared, and the necessary response crews and equipment are in place.”