Frequently asked questions
What happened at McCrae?
On 14 January 2025, a significant landslide of approximately 120 tonnes occurred at Penny Lane, McCrae. The landslide caused one house to be destroyed, three others to be damaged, and a council worker to be injured. The Victoria State Emergency Service (SES) established an exclusion zone, and 19 properties were evacuated. This followed two previous landslides in the area - one in November 2022 and another on 5 January 2025.
How many people were affected by the landslide?
The landslide resulted in 19 properties being evacuated. As of March 2025, residents of 11 properties have been allowed to return to their homes, while 8 properties remain in the exclusion zone with residents still unable to return home.
Is this the first time a landslide has occurred in this area?
No. There have been previous landslides in the McCrae area.
A landslide of approximately 20 tonnes occurred in November 2022 near the west end of View Point Road, which caused minor damage to two townhouses in Penny Lane.
A landslide of approximately 30 tonnes occurred near the east end of View Point Road on 5 January 2025.
What is an ‘exclusion zone’?
An exclusion zone is a designated area that people are prohibited from entering due to safety concerns. Following the McCrae landslide, the Victorian SES established an exclusion zone around the affected area to protect residents from potential further landslides, unstable ground, structural hazards, and other dangers. The exclusion zone is enforced by emergency services and local authorities. Residents cannot access their properties within this zone until officials determine it is safe to do so.
Is the area currently safe?
Safety assessments are ongoing by the Mornington Peninsula Shire Council and emergency services. If you have immediate safety concerns, please contact Mornington Peninsula Shire Council at 1300 850 600 or Victorian SES at 132 500.
Why was an Inquiry established?
The Victorian Government established this Board of Inquiry to determine the cause(s) of the McCrae landslide and identify measures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The McCrae community deserved answers about why these landslides occurred and assurances that steps would be taken to prevent them from happening again.
Who led the Inquiry?
Renée Enbom KC is an eminent Senior Counsel. She led the Board of Inquiry into the McCrae landslide.
Ms Enbom KC's extensive experience in complex investigations and public inquiries made her well-suited to examine the causes of the McCrae landslide and identify preventative measures for the future.
What did the Inquiry investigate?
The Inquiry investigated what caused the McCrae landslide of 14 January 2025, whether actions could have been taken to mitigate the risk of the landslide and what action should be taken to assist in minimising the risks and damage of another landslide or landslip occurring in the McCrae area.
The Inquiry was required to deliver findings and recommendations to prevent similar incidents, by 10 September 2025.
What was not investigated during the Inquiry?
The Inquiry did not examine actions taken since the McCrae landslide, including the emergency response, relief and recovery activities. Insurance arrangements of affected home owners were similarly outside the Inquiry's scope, as were previous landslips and landslides in the area, except where directly relevant to understanding the 14 January 2025 landslide.
When will the Board provide its report?
The Board of Inquiry was required to deliver its final report to the Governor of Victoria no later than 10 September 2025. Following its delivery, information regarding the report and its findings is a matter for the Victorian Government.
Who could make a submission?
The Inquiry wanted to hear from directly impacted residents and property owners, wider McCrae community members who live or work in proximity to the landslide area, experts and academics, non-government organisations, advocacy groups and any other member of the public who may have had relevant information, insights or expertise.
What was included in submissions?
Submissions could be any length or format.
Submissions may have included:
- Experiences of the landslide and its impact
- Observations about conditions before or after the landslide
- Information about previous landslides in the area
- Experiences or observations of the action or inaction taken to prevent and mitigate landslides and landslips in the McCrae area
- Insights into any actions or decisions that may have contributed to causing the McCrae landslide
- Relevant expertise or technical knowledge
- Suggestions for preventing future landslides
- Any other information that may be relevant to the scope of the Inquiry.
Could submissions be confidential?
People could choose how their submission was handled:
- A submission and name/organisation’s name may be published on our website or in our report
- A submission may be published, but without names and any other identifying details
- A submission may not be published and would only be used to inform the Inquiry's work.
How could people stay informed about the Inquiry's progress?
Regular progress updates were be published on the website.
Were there any in-person consultation?
Yes, the Inquiry held in-person opportunities in the McCrae area to provide an opportunity for residents to speak with Inquiry staff, ask questions, and share their information.
This is a stressful situation. Is there support available?
Yes. If you're experiencing distress related to the landslide or the Inquiry process, support is available. Please visit our Support page for information.
What is the difference between this Inquiry and a Royal Commission?
A Board of Inquiry and a Royal Commission are similar, but they are not the same.
They are similar in that:
- both have ‘Terms of Reference’ which set out the scope of the inquiry and what they must cover in their report;
- both have powers to obtain documents and information from individuals or organisations, including the Victorian Government;
- both can require someone to be a witness;
- if someone is required to give evidence before a Royal Commission or a Board of Inquiry, and they do not comply with that requirement, in some circumstances they can be charged with a criminal offence. If someone knowingly makes a false or misleading statement, they can also be charged with an offence.
Some of the differences between a Royal Commission and a Board of Inquiry are that:
- an Inquiry cannot force someone to disclose privileged communications between that person and their lawyer;
- in an Inquiry, a person can refuse to answer a question if they think answering it might tend to incriminate them or make them liable to a penalty; and
- an Inquiry cannot obtain search warrants and seize documents.
I'm concerned about possible consequences if I provide information to the Inquiry. What protections exist?
The Inquiries Act 2014 provides certain protections for those who provide information to a Board of Inquiry:
- Protection from being sued because of the information or evidence you give
- Protection from having your information used against you in other proceedings (with limited exceptions)
- Protection from others hindering or obstructing you from participating
- Protection from detrimental action (including dismissal) from an employer because of information you provide
If you have concerns about providing information, you may wish to seek legal advice.
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