Terms of Reference
The Latrobe Valley Asbestos Taskforce (LVAT) was formally commissioned by the Minister for Workplace Safety, the Hon. Jill Hennessy MP in February 2019. The establishment of the LVAT is a key election commitment of the Andrews Labor Government and states in part, that the Victorian Government will commission the Latrobe Health Advocate to Chair a regional asbestos forum to design a plan for the management, demolition, transportation and disposal of asbestos in the Latrobe Valley.
Following a Government decision in March 2019, responsibility for the LVAT was transferred to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, the Hon. Lily D’Ambrosio, with coordination and secretariat services to be provided by the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning (DELWP).
The establishment of the LVAT is an opportunity to ensure the health and wellbeing of Latrobe Valley communities is prioritised. It will give confidence to the community that government is not only listening to their concerns, but is committed to the development of a transparent process to develop meaningful long-term plans and activities to deal with contaminated materials. Latrobe Valley communities have expressed a clear expectation for transparency, responsiveness and effective feedback processes regarding asbestos complaints and handling.
It is intended that the scope of the LVAT is broad, encompassing public and private, industrial and residential sites and locations. The work and outcomes of the LVAT are likely to be the basis for state-wide systems and reform.
Purpose
The LVAT brings together a diverse range of stakeholders including State and Local Governments and authorities, workers representatives and community groups. It aims to bring about consistency, collaboration and improved community engagement and awareness for management of asbestos.
The LVAT will build on existing policies and practices and will jointly develop initiatives, programs and plans. It will identify shortcomings in the current systems for identifying and managing asbestos. An agreed process will be developed to ensure the proper management of asbestos waste material across the Latrobe Valley. This will bring about greater transparency, consistency and collaboration to ensure public safety and confidence.
The LVAT will prioritise community engagement and education. It will communicate with the Latrobe Valley communities via a range of channels and will remain open to feedback and respond to community concerns in a consistent and transparent manner.
Functions
The functions of the LVAT are to:
1. Enquire into and report to Government on current asbestos waste handling processes and safety practices within the public and private sector
a. Reach a clear understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the various regulatory bodies and authorities in relation to asbestos identification, handling and disposal
b. Report to Government on current asbestos waste handling processes and safety practices
c. Identify the gaps in knowledge of where asbestos is and how it is managed in the Latrobe Valley across all jurisdictions
d. Identify shortcomings in existing practices of responding to community concerns and make recommendations to improve the responsiveness, information sharing and feedback experienced by communities.
2. Design a plan for the management, demolition, transportation and disposal of asbestos for all Latrobe Valley sites and locations
a. Provide leadership and direction to deliver the Government’s commitment to manage asbestos waste in the Latrobe Valley.
b. Build a common vision that prioritises the health of Latrobe Valley communities
c. Consolidate current knowledge of asbestos and identify asbestos sites and locations that are not officially registered.
d. Consider the potential health risks associated with asbestos and the importance of informing and educating Latrobe Valley communities about the measures in place to protect their health
3. Make recommendations to Government on the way asbestos waste material will be dealt with in a formal and consistent manner.
a. Identify the regulatory frameworks currently in place for asbestos management, and identify any gaps in those frameworks.
b. Consider the views and perspectives of Latrobe Valley communities including local residents, workers, businesses and industry and identify opportunities for collaboration, communication and education.
c. Ensure that all decisions made around asbestos waste are communicated to the community in a transparent and timely manner.
4. Engage with and inform the community and industry in the Latrobe Valley on the work and progress of the LVAT.
a. Know the importance of community involvement and education recognising both the benefit of gathering intelligence from communities about asbestos and the need to provide informative and easy to understand education about the risks.
b. Collaboratively develop a communication and engagement plan to ensure there is a clear and shared understanding of level and method of engagement and responsibility amongst Latrobe Valley communities and key stakeholders.
c. Provide Latrobe Valley communities with the information required to contact and engage with relevant authorities in relation to asbestos management
d. Facilitate public forums and other engagement activities with residents, business and industry as required.
Authority
The LVAT has no executive powers, supervisory functions or decision-making authority in relation to asbestos policies, regulations or programs.
Confidentiality
All information and discussions must be treated as confidential unless otherwise determined by the Chair. Should a proxy be nominated to attend a meeting, the proxy is bound by these Terms of Reference and confidentiality requirements.
Conflicts of Interest
Conflicts of interest, real or perceived, should be raised with the Chair and declared.
Preferred ways of working
Members are expected to:
- Apply analytical skills, objectivity and judgement
- Express opinions frankly and constructively
- Ask questions that go to the fundamental core of an issue
- Commit to undertake work outside of meetings to progress tasks on the agreed Meeting Minutes, where required.
Membership
The LVAT will be chaired by the Latrobe Health Advocate.
Membership will include representatives from the agencies and stakeholders listed below.
- Department of Environment Land Water and Planning (DELWP)
- WorkSafe Victoria (Worksafe)
- Environment Protection Authority (EPA)
- Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH)
- Department of Health
- Sustainability Victoria
- Latrobe Health Assembly
- Latrobe Valley Authority (LVA)
- Latrobe City Council
- Wellington Shire Council
- Baw Baw Shire Council
- Asbestos Council of Victoria/GARDS Inc.
- Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU)
- Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU)
- Electrical Trades Union (ETU)
- Australian Workers Union (AWU)
- Australian Services Union (ASU)
- Resource Recovery Gippsland.
Other authorities and agencies including Gippsland Water, the Victorian Building Authority and the Municipal Association of Victoria may be invited to attend and participate in LVAT discussions and activities as needed.
Frequency of Meetings
The LVAT will meet initially every month and after the first six months will review this with the intent to meet every two months thereafter.
Resources
DELWP will provide secretariat and technical support for the LVAT. This will include a dedicated team that is based in the Latrobe Valley for the duration of the LVAT.
In addition, the LVAT will look to utilise and realign existing resources of the various regulatory bodies in relation to asbestos identification, handling and disposal.
Duration
The LVAT will have an intended duration of up to four years.
Reporting
The LVAT will report to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change through DELWP on an annual basis.
Terms of Reference Review
The LVAT Terms of Reference will be reviewed on an annual basis.
Updated 05 May 2022