Morwell Land Movement - Princes Freeway Closure Community Update
Monday, 13 June 2011
Incident history
A major rain event in early February caused a large amount of water to enter the Morwell Main Drain inside the boundary of International Power Hazelwood’s coal mine. This caused some land movement and cracking which affected the Princes Freeway. The Princes Freeway was closed at Morwell in both directions and traffic is being diverted through the Morwell township. The emergency management team (EMT), made up of key agencies and stakeholders and headed by Incident Controller Superintendent Tess Walsh, is working to ensure the safety of the area.
Update
Forty horizontal bores and two incline bores have now been drilled. There are a further five underway (four horizontal and one incline) and eight remaining (two horizontal, two incline and four piezometers).
Responses to questions from the community
● Will the freeway reopen and if so when?
The freeway will remain closed in the short term while the level of risk continues to be assessed and the necessary actions to reduce these risks are undertaken. Public safety is top priority. Once the findings from the risk assessment workshops and geotechnical data have been presented this month, the community will be updated on the situation and next steps. Until this time, we cannot be more specific about when the freeway may reopen.
● The horizontal bores – what length of the freeway are they being drilled and how far into the mine are they being drilled? How far into the town do they run?
Hazelwood is installing an extensive system of horizontal and more vertical borehole drains. These boreholes are mostly 500 metres long and start at the bottom of the disused northern mine slope and extend towards the freeway and Morwell township.
Some of the boreholes may be extended to 800 metres. These boreholes are designed to drain the water from the vertical joints and cracks in the coal seam. Any 800 metre boreholes will extend to the edge of the town.
● Are Latrobe City Council’s rates going to increase?
At this stage, Latrobe City Council has not had any reason to propose an increase to rates. The council will continue to keep residents informed if the situation changes.
Communication
For more information please visit: www.police.vic.gov.au
Updates will also be sent out via the Department of Justice's Twitter feed: twitter.com/justice_vic