Staff writers
THE state government has released their draft Preliminary Land Use Vision for the rehabilitation of Latrobe Valley coal mines for public comment.
The draft vision document will be used in the development of the final Latrobe Valley Regional Rehabilitation Strategy.
Latrobe City understands the rehabilitation strategy will establish the guidelines used for future mine rehabilitation planning.
Council said it is important the community understand what is being proposed and take the opportunity to ‘have their say.’
The best rehabilitation outcome for future generations is needed.
Council has consistently advocated for not only a safe, stable and sustainable land use outcome as desired by the state government, but one that is also ‘visually attractive’ and ‘usable’.
Waiting several decades to achieve this is not an acceptable outcome for the community, nor is one that would compromise significant natural resource advantages of the region.
The final solution must consider how the region’s natural resources including water availability are to be used into the future and how rehabilitation will still enable low emission coal technologies and alternative uses of carbon.
Council said it is important the community understand all the options for rehabilitation.
The opportunity to seek clarification and ask questions of a panel of experts is being provided on Wednesday, October 30, 5.30pm to 7.30pm at the Morwell Bowls Club, 52 Hazelwood Road.
The Latrobe Valley Regional Rehabilitation Strategy is due to be completed by the middle of 2020.
A panel of experts will share the outcomes of their studies into rehabilitating brown coal mine areas into lakes, considering water access, land stability and possible land use opportunities. Find more information online at: earthresources.vic.gov.au/projects/lvrrs.
