Ballarat trench collapse: Wife, father's pledge as company faces court over workers' deaths

Relatives of two young labourers killed in a trench collapse have spoken as the Ballarat company charged over the workers’ deaths faces court.

Jack Brownlee, 21, and Charlie Howkins, 34, died in the Delacombe trench in March last year.

PipeCon has been charged with failing to maintain a safe working environment and failing to provide necessary supervision to employees.

Outside the Ballarat Magistrate's Court today Mr Howkins’ wife, Lana Cormie, and Mr Brownlee’s father, Dave, clutched treasured photos of their loved ones. 

The pair said they are mentally preparing for a tough year in the court system.

“We felt it was really important to be here to represent our men as they can no longer speak for themselves,” Ms Cormie told 9News.

Dave Brownlee added, “We’re in this together, so we’ll see it right through together.”

PipeCon said in a statement last month it wouldn't be commenting during court proceedings, but it's working closely with authorities to determine the cause of the incident.

A small comfort to the victim's families has been the state government's motion to roll out Victorian Industrial Manslaughter laws. They said they are also welcoming the implementation of an advisory committee, which they'll be invited to participate in.

“We really hope that's going to save lives…hopefully there'll be less families like us,” Ms Cormier said.

“There'll be support for families and changing the whole way of how they do things,” Mr Brownlee’s father said.

A committal mention date for PipeCon has been set for May 6.