Closure of the Hazelwood Health Study

After 10 years investigating health outcomes in the local community following the 2014 Hazelwood mine fire, the Hazelwood Health Study ceased operations on 30 June 2025.


Background

The fire in the Morwell open cut mine adjacent to the Hazelwood power station blanketed Morwell and the surrounding area in smoke and ash for six weeks in February and March 2014. In response to community concerns about the long-term health effects, the Victorian Department of Health commissioned the Hazelwood Health Study. The study was led by independent researchers from Monash University in collaboration with Federation University, University of Tasmania, University of Adelaide, and the CSIRO.

The Hazelwood Health Study was about identifying potential health outcomes for people who may have been impacted by the smoke from the mine fire. These might include heart and lung disease, cancer or mental health problems. It also looked at the effects on vulnerable groups such as infants and children, young people, and older people.

The study involved multiple research streams targeting different health outcomes and groups. Many people in the local area were invited to participate in one or more of these activities via local campaigns in the newspaper or on radio, through community groups or by being directly approached by mail.

Information on the study timeline is available here and details of all findings released to date are available here

Each year we updated the community regarding the progress of the Study. Details of our annual community briefings are available here

Community members may continue to have questions about the study. Some answers may be found in the Frequently asked Questions section.