CLAIMS from the Allan Labor government that it’s “supporting the Latrobe Valley” by reinvesting revenue from bulk water entitlements when rehabilitation of the Loy Yang mine begins – at least 20 years from now – are insulting and tone deaf, according to Nationals Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron.
Mr Cameron said the announcement was nothing but smoke and mirrors from a government that has completely neglected the Latrobe Valley in all talks about Victoria’s energy transition.
“Rehabilitation of Loy Yang is at least 20 years away, but the accelerated closure of our coal-fired power stations begins in just two years – we need investment now, not in 20 years,” Mr Cameron said.
“Hazelwood shut in 2017, Yallourn will shut in 2028, Loy Yang A will shut in 2032, and Loy Yang B will follow later that decade, yet there is no urgency from Labor to establish new industries in the Valley.
“Jobs have already been lost at Yallourn and Loy Yang as the power stations restructure and prepare for closure, and the pain is being felt now right across the Latrobe Valley.
“There are no local replacement jobs on the horizon for this workforce that has powered the state for more than a century.
“Labor is hell-bent on ripping out the industrial heart of our region all without a single policy or plan to replace the thousands of jobs, and without a single policy or plan for our future after coal.
“For this government to claim it’s ‘supporting’ the Latrobe Valley on any front is a complete slap in the face to every power station worker and resident it has neglected for the last 11 years.
“Labor can’t manage money, can’t manage Victoria’s energy transition, and it’s Latrobe Valley residents who are paying the price.”
The state government has announced the State Electricity Commission will back the Delburn Wind Farm – a project expected to bring more than 300 jobs to the region.
Plans are also in place to transform Yallourn W into a low-carbon emissions hub supplying data centres.
