Following the very poor air quality on the weekend of 15 February 2014 and 16 February 2014, a community meeting was held at Kernot Hall, Morwell on 18 February 2014. At this meeting the community expressed anger and some members of the community felt that the meeting was not well managed.49 In her evidence to the Board, Ms Merita Tabain, Chair of the Emergency Management Joint Public Information Committee (EMJPIC), stated that there were not enough government representatives present who were senior enough to give a definitive answer.50 Mr Lapsley advised the Board that this meeting a turning point and highlighted to the ‘was emergency management agencies the depth of concern within the Morwell community about the mine fire and the potential effects of the smoke.’51 The Morwell Neighbourhood House also commenced community meetings to provide the local community with up-to-date information about the fire.52 Mr Pole stated to the Board that on 18 February 2014, DEECD commenced planning the possible relocation of schools and services (early children’s learning centres, kindergartens and outside school hours care programs) following communication with Dr Lester.53 DEECD informed Dr Lester that a report had been received from a service of children’s children exhibiting hyperactivity, headaches, flushed faces and longer sleep times. Dr Lester advised that the symptoms were consistent with smoke exposure and that schools and of children’s services south Commercial Road (nearest to the mine) should be temporarily relocated out of the smoke.54 The same
Following the very poor air quality on the weekend of 15 February 2014 and 16 February 2014, a community meeting was held at Kernot Hall, Morwell on 18 February 2014. At this meeting the community expressed anger and some members of the community felt that the meeting was not well managed.49 In her evidence to the Board, Ms Merita Tabain, Chair of the Emergency Management Joint Public Information Committee (EMJPIC), stated that there were not enough government representatives present who were senior enough to give a definitive answer.50 Mr Lapsley advised the Board that this meeting ‘was a turning point and highlighted to the emergency management agencies the depth of concern within the Morwell community about the mine fire and the potential effects of the smoke.’51 The Morwell Neighbourhood House also commenced community meetings to provide the local community with up-to-date information about the fire.52 Mr Pole stated to the Board that on 18 February 2014, DEECD commenced planning the possible relocation of schools and children’s services (early learning centres, kindergartens and outside school hours care programs) following communication with Dr Lester.53 DEECD informed Dr Lester that a report had been received from a children’s service of children exhibiting hyperactivity, headaches, flushed faces and longer sleep times. Dr Lester advised that the symptoms were consistent with smoke exposure and that schools and children’s services south of Commercial Road (nearest to the mine) should be temporarily relocated out of the smoke.54 The same
Hazelwood_Mine_Inquiry_Report_Part04_PF.docx