What: Hearings will commence for an open Commission of Inquiry into the circumstances surrounding a fire at the Marrangaroo Training Area near Lithgow in New South Wales.

When: 9:30 am, Monday, 9 December 2013.

Media are asked to arrive no later than 9:00 am.

Where: Defence Plaza Sydney, 270 Pitt Street, Sydney.

Please note: There is no public parking available at Defence Plaza.

Access: Attendees must present photographic ID to obtain access at the street level lobby and will be directed to the hearing room.

Media note:   There will be an opportunity to record the opening few minutes of the Commission of Inquiry’s commencement on 9 December 2013. Cameras and filming devices will NOT be permitted inside the hearing room after this time.

Background:
An open Commission of Inquiry has been appointed into the circumstances surrounding a fire at the Marrangaroo Training Area on Wednesday, 16 October 2013. 

A NSW Rural Fire Service investigation was satisfied that the State Mine Fire, near Lithgow, had started at Marrangaroo Training Area as a result of demolition activities on 16 October 2013.

A civilian with judicial experience, the Honourable John O’Meally, AM, RFD will preside over the Commission of Inquiry.

In addition to the President, Brigadier Jane Spalding, AM, and Air Commodore David Steele, CSC have also been appointed as members of the Commission of Inquiry.

The Commission of Inquiry hearings will be conducted in public as far as possible, but may be closed if the President is satisfied that it is necessary to do so in the interests of the defence of the Commonwealth or of fairness to those who may be affected by the inquiry.

Media contacts:
Media interested in attending the hearings are encouraged to obtain more information on the media arrangements via Defence Public Affairs on the contact numbers below:

Tina Turner 0417 664 722 or Ben Wickham 0405 310 176

Defence Media Operations (02) 6127 1999