Victoria has appointed its first female mining warden, Karen Streckfuss, taking the mantle as the state’s independent statutory office holder and dispute resolution body.
Resources Victoria announced the appointment on Friday, May 8, saying that the position plays an “important role in investigating and attempting to resolve” mining-related disputes.
This is done either through mediation, conciliation, and arbitration, with the warden also able to make recommendations to the Minister for Energy and Resources.
“If parties can agree on a resolution, they are generally going to have more buy-in than if a solution is imposed on them,” Streckfuss said.
“I am looking forward to helping people resolve their disputes in my role as Mining Warden.”
Resources Victoria said that Streckfuss brings a wealth of experience to this role, being an accredited mediator with extensive experience conducting mediations and conciliations, including sensitive matters. Her main practice areas have been commercial litigation and industrial law.
She has been appointed for a period of three years.
Streckfuss has previously been on the Mediators List for several courts and tribunals, and is also a member of the Victorian Bar, having practised as a barrister for 27 years.
Looking closer at the role, the Mining Warden can conduct hearings, seek information relevant to the dispute from the parties and department involved, and enter and inspect land.
They are also able to make an order for the inspection, detention, custody, or preservation of minerals; make an order restraining a person from dealing with or removing minerals from Victoria; and make a recommendation to the Minister.
The process a warden conducts is relatively informal, with participants not required to be represented by a lawyer, and with no fees for the warden’s service.