The Allan Labor Government is taking immediate action following the release of the findings of the Independent Board of Inquiry into the McCrae landslide.
Minister for Local Government Nick Staikos today welcomed the report, with the inquiry providing a comprehensive set of recommendations to support impacted residents, improve infrastructure resilience, and ensure that lessons are acted upon without delay.
The Labor Government accepts all 12 recommendations provided to it and is acting to help the McCrae community.
The Government will appoint an independent mediator to engage Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, South East Water and affected landowners in a structured process to reach agreement on landslide mitigation and remediation works at and around the site of the McCrae landslide.
This mediator will be appointed imminently, and the resolution process will begin as soon as possible. The mediation itself is expected to take three months.
The independent mediator will be experienced in sensitive and complex mediation processes. Once appointed, the mediator will work with the parties to support a constructive process towards resolution.
The landslides have had a profound impact on the McCrae community and have caused stress, fear and uncertainty for many residents.
The Government calls on all the parties to reach resolution to the issues raised by the Inquiry report so that the residents can return to their homes as soon as possible.
To read the full Government response to the Board of Inquiry into the McCrae Landslide Report, go to: https://www.vic.gov.au/inquiries-and-commissions(opens in a new window)
As stated by Minister for Local Government Nick Staikos
"It was crucial that a properly independent inquiry was established to allow residents' voices to be heard and to identify measures to prevent this from happening again."
"I welcome the very thorough report by the Board of Inquiry into the McCrae landslide and thank all residents and parties who have cooperated in good faith with this process."
"The landslides have taken a significant toll on residents and I call on South East Water and the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council to work with the McCrae community to achieve the best possible outcomes."
