The board of inquiry into the McCrae landslide has concluded, with inquiry chair, Renée Enbom KC today delivering her report to the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Professor the Honourable Margaret Gardner AC, at Government House.
The board of inquiry’s findings and recommendations are set out in the report which is now with the Victorian government. It is expected the report will be reviewed by the government before being released to the public in the coming days.
On 18 March 2025, Enbom was appointed by the Governor in Council to chair the board of inquiry into the 14 January 2025 McCrae landslide, on the recommendation of the Premier.
The landslide followed a number of earlier landslides that had occurred in McCrae in the previous two and a half years. It destroyed a house and damaged several others. A council worker was also seriously injured. Nineteen properties were evacuated, and many residents remain unable to return to their homes.
The board of inquiry was required to inquire into, report on and make any recommendations considered appropriate concerning the cause of the landslide, the adequacy of measures taken to prevent or mitigate the risk of landslides in the area, and the measures that need to be taken in the future.
The inquiry examined the actions and decisions of responsible authorities and reviewed the regulatory framework governing landslide management in Victoria.
Enbom and Inquiry representatives visited McCrae on several occasions, and four rounds of public hearings were held in May, June and August. In total, 26 witnesses were called to give evidence, including residents reporting first-hand experiences, representatives from South East Water and the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, as well as geotechnical experts.
In thanking all participants, Enbom concluded the public hearings by emphasising the importance of all interested parties taking an approach that will see McCrae residents get back into their homes as quickly as possible.
“The landslide has caused residents significant stress and uncertainty, and that continues. The residents need answers but they also need action, and they need action as soon as possible,” said Enbom.