The Greens national leader is visiting the epicentre of the brown coal power industry to discuss the party’s plans to power the nation with 90 per cent renewable energy by 2030.
Prior to his visit to Morwell today for the first local forum of the ‘RenewAustralia’ plan, Senator Richard Di Natale told The Express the community must start talking about a future beyond coal-fired power.
“When it comes to the power stations, it’s clearly an issue that affects people directly, but that industry doesn’t have a long-term future regardless of the time frame we’re talking about,” Dr Di Natale said.
“It’s critical we make a transition in a way for people living in those communities to have a pathway for employment and investment in the Latrobe Valley.”
The senator said part of the plan was to provide work for people in mine rehabilitation liabilities and for those currently within the industry to have ongoing employment in the rehabilitation of sites.
He also noted a transition to a renewable economy in advanced manufacturing, such as establishing a plant to build towers for wind turbines, as well as domestic and large scale solar industry.
Dr Di Natale said the party’s 2030 renewable energy target was a critical benchmark to achieve such objectives to transition the energy sector to a low-emission sector.
“In the same way you set a target emission, 2030 is a workable time frame for a reduction in 15 years,” he said.
Greens Member for Melbourne Ellen Sandell and local federal election candidates Donna Lancaster for McMillan and Ian Onley for Gippsland will be in attendance.
Members of the public have been invited to attend the forum at Morwell Neighbourhood House at 48-50 Beattie Crescent, Morwell from 1pm to 2.30pm.
