About

On 14 January 2025, a significant landslide occurred in McCrae when approximately 120 tonnes of earth moved, destroying a house and damaging other homes. A council worker was also seriously injured. Nineteen properties were subsequently evacuated and many residents remain unable to return to their homes. This event followed two previous landslides in the same area – one in November 2022 and another on 5 January 2025.

On 18 March 2025, the Governor in Council, on the recommendation of the Premier under s 53(1) of the Inquiries Act 2014 (Vic), appointed Renée Enbom KC to constitute a Board of Inquiry in relation to the landslide on 14 January 2025.

The Board of Inquiry is to inquire into, report on and make any recommendations considered appropriate concerning the causes of the landslide, the adequacy of measures taken to prevent and minimise landslides in the area and the measures to be undertaken to prevent or mitigate the risk of similar landslide events in the future. The Inquiry will examine the actions and decisions of responsible authorities and review the regulatory framework governing landslide management in Victoria.

The Inquiry is required to deliver its final report to the Governor by 18 June 2025.

Chair of the Board of Inquiry, Renée Enbom KC

Board of Inquiry Chair, Renée Enbom KC

Renée Enbom KC is an eminent Senior Counsel with a diverse practice at the Victorian Bar. She has been in the law for over 20 years and has significant experience in complex public inquiries and investigations. Ms Enbom KC appeared and advised in the:

Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants;
Yoorrook Justice Commission;
Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide;
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability;
Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry;
Royal Commission into the 2009 Victorian Bushfires.

She has also appeared in a broad range of civil proceedings, including many class actions and proceedings involving expert evidence.

Ms Enbom KC has been chairing AFL Tribunal hearings since the 2022 season. She is also a member of the Victorian Bar Ethics Committee.

Counsel Assisting

Mark Costello KC, Alexander Di Stefano and Angela Kittikhoun are counsel assisting the Board of Inquiry. You can read their profiles through the following links to the Victorian Bar website.

Updated 15 April 2025