Governance

The Hazelwood Health Study has been established in response to the concerns of the local community about the impacts of the mine fire.

A Project Steering Committee made up of the leaders of each of the Research Stream areas provides overall strategic advice for the study. A smaller Project Management Group is responsible for monitoring the progress of the study and reports to the Project Steering Committee.

It is critical that the study receives feedback from the local community regarding study operations, and that the study findings informs health and community services locally and more broadly. To do this, the study works closely with the following two key groups:

The Latrobe Health Assembly (LHA) - The LHA is a community-led organisation that seeks to positively shape and facilitate new ways of working to improve health and wellness in Latrobe. The majority of LHA members are from the community, with a diverse representation from various locations, professions, demographics and connections to communities and groups. The LHA has established a Hazelwood Health Study subcommittee specifically tasked to meet with the study on a regular basis to provide input on study directions and research findings and consider local implications. More information on the LHA is available here.

The Gippsland Primary Health Network (GPHN) - The GPHN is a not for profit organisation that works with communities, general practice, allied health, hospitals and other primary and community health providers to achieve improved whole of system health care. The GPHN has three Sub-regional Clinical Councils, including the Latrobe & Baw Baw Clinical Council, which meet quarterly to have input into the operations of the GPHN. The Hazelwood Health Study provides regular updates at each meeting of the Latrobe & Baw Baw Clinical Council, and seeks input from members regarding the clinical implications of study findings. More information on the GPHN is available here.

Scientific Reference Group -In addition to local community input, it is important that the study receives expert feedback on our research program. The Scientific Reference Group involves scientific experts in the fields contributing to the study.

The governance structure is outlined in the diagram below:

Our Partners

Acknowledgement to Country

We acknowledge and pay our respects to the Elders and Traditional Owners of the land where our Study teams are based, particularly the Gunaikurnai peoples of Gippsland.