ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
By ZAIDA GLIBANOVIC
MINISTER for Regional Development, and Morwell-based MP, Harriet Shing last week announced the completion of the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland Transition Plan, which was led by the Latrobe Valley Authority (LVA) and developed in collaboration with industry, community and education providers – with support from the state government. The plan looks to ensures local communities are supported through the transition to sustainable industries and puts the people of Gippsland at the centre of government decision making. More than 1000 people came together to have their say on the region’s shared vision – providing their local knowledge, expertise and feedback. The plan makes 52 recommendations, focusing on the transition, and includes education and training pathways to local employment, fairly paid jobs, a thriving economy built on industries with a long-term future, a sustainable environment and communities that work together. It looks to build on the LVA’s work to support communities since it was established in November 2016, with a roadmap for the next 12 years and beyond. “The Latrobe Valley Authority has worked intensively with and for communities since it was established, and continues to play a central role in transition and planning for industry, workers, and communities,” Ms Shing said. The plan gives mention to the state government’s commitments to the SEC, the $5 million Clean Energy Centre at Morwell TAFE and the Gippsland Destination Management Plan. “This plan reflects the optimism, achievements, and emerging ambitions of the region. It recognises Gippsland’s strengths and opportunities, and sets a course for long-term prosperity and liveability,” she said. Latrobe Valley Authority chief executive Chris Buckingham said the LVA’s plan was targeted specifically for its area. “The Latrobe Valley Authority was tasked with developing a plan ‘In the region, by the region and for the region’ and that is what has been delivered,” he said. “We share a transition plan that acknowledges the challenges facing our community, respects the unique characteristics of our inspiring region and describes an optimistic and achievable vision for Gippsland.” The LVA has faced extensive backlash from the community and local members of government, who believe it has failed to address key concerns of unemployment and industry closure in the region – with criticisms concerned the plan is more of a mission statement than a plan. The Nationals have slammed the LVA and state government over its transition plan, for failing to commit to one tangible or measurable action for the Latrobe Valley. Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron was scathing of the LVA’s transition plan, labelling it a wasted opportunity for the Latrobe Valley. “The LVA and Labor has failed time and again to address Morwell’s extremely high unemployment,” he said. “There’s been no successful investment establishing new industry in Latrobe Valley. “Big promises like SEA Electric and the Commonwealth Games were farcical and the SEC is nothing more than a nostalgic headline. “Morwell’s unemployment rate is unacceptably high at 11.5 per cent – this is the town the LVA office is located – the problems are right under the state government’s nose, and its plan does nothing to address it. “Like my constituents I am deeply invested in a positive future for our region – it’s a pity that the LVA, with its abundance of funds and time has produced a plan without accountability that comes straight out of Labor’s playbook.” Fellow Nationals Member, Member for Eastern Victoria Region, Melina Bath, who established a Parliamentary Inquiry into the Latrobe Valley in 2021, said the latest LVA instalment should be a blueprint for the Valley, but it fails on multiple fronts. “The LVA has had $300 million over six years to produce a strategic roadmap, yet it’s produced nothing more than a glossy promotional brochure based on Labor ideology,” she said. “Lacking in leadership, the so-called extensive consultation did not encompass grassroots workers in hardwood forestry, paper manufacturing, coal, or gas industries. “The LVA’s transition plan categorically ignores the urgency to establish new industries for our highly skilled workers in which to transition – there’s not one concrete target, timeline, or measurable outcome.” Latrobe City Council released a statement acknowledging the release of the transition plan. “As Victoria’s most heavily impacted and transitioning region, council acknowledges the collaborative efforts of the Victorian government, Latrobe Valley Authority and industry partners in developing a community informed transition plan,” it read. “The Latrobe Valley and Gippsland Transition Plan reflects a shared commitment to the wellbeing of community, economic growth and sustainable development, and aligns with council’s Our Transition plan, a comprehensive roadmap that outlines Latrobe City’s communities’ collective journey towards a brighter and more sustainable future. “The industry transition impacting our community is not straightforward and our community has a significant interest in the planning and implementation of changes regarding this time of industry change.” Council went onto to say they remained committed to working with the state government and ensuring support of their Our Transition plan to ensure “that the community of Latrobe City will be known as the region that gets transition right.”
