By BLAKE METCALF-HOLT

 

THE closure of Yallourn Power Station raises many questions and ambiguities for the Latrobe Valley’s premier industry and workforce.

A transition plan from the state government for Yallourn workers is still yet to be determined, and concisely mapped out with just over two years left until its July, 2028 closure, according to Mining and Energy Union Victorian Branch President, Andy Smith.

Since Energy Australia announced Yallourn’s closure in 2021, Mr Smith said that the best part of five years have been wasted preparing “for the inevitable.”

“A fair transition for Yallourn workers looks like opportunities to redeploy into local jobs within the Latrobe Valley,” he told the Express.

“Jobs that pay well, jobs that are secure, and jobs that let families remain where they live, and have lived for many years.

“There is no investment, no new industry, and currently, little opportunity to present to these workers.”

As such, Mr Smith said that the angst among Yallourn’s workforce is “through the roof”, with those future opportunities obscured, forcing them to contemplate moving away to work interstate.

“They have to make decisions about moving interstate to find work, and no one wants to be thinking that,” he said.

“People want to see that there is a process in place that is going to help them redeploy locally, remain local and keep their families in the area.”

Mr Smith further stated that this indecisiveness has made the Latrobe Valley “extremely unattractive for investment, especially large industry” as the unknown permeates.

Signalling blame at Victorian Energy Minister Lily D’Ambrosio, subject to much scrutiny from opposition, Mr Smith said that there is continual inability by the state government to approve new projects that will fill the hole of the coal-powered industry.

“That (undesirable investment) boils down, really, to the lack of appetite (and) lack of assistance from the state government, in particular, Minister D’Ambrosio, when it comes to approving projects for the Latrobe Valley,” Mr Smith said.

However, he also said that everyone – from those in office, opposition leaders, local council, and the industry itself – has failed to act in accordance to the needs of the people soon to be out of work.

Since the new year, steps have been taken in the right direction.

In late February, the Net Zero Economy Authority (NZEA) toured the Latrobe Valley, including meeting with Latrobe City Council and speaking to workers on-site at Yallourn regarding consultation for a transition of work.

The consultation sought to understand how workers and businesses are impacted by the power station’s closure, what support can already be accessed, and what other employment opportunities exist in the region.

Following the visit, the NZEA’s chief executive David Shankey applied for an Energy Industry Jobs Plan (EIJP) through the Fair Work Commission, which makes the final decision on which employers are included in the EIJP, requiring them to provide transition supports for their employees.

An EIJP provides training for future work, paid time off, flexible working arrangements, and career financial advise.

The NZEA’s first EIJP was secured at AGL’s Torrens Island B Power Station in South Australia, which is also set to close in 2028.

During its visit, the NZEA also met with Energy Australia, RTL, and other contractors, as well as community groups and other local employers, while also visiting Regional Development Victoria workshops.

At the March Latrobe City Council meeting, council endorsed its submission to the NZEA, advocating for a coordinated approach to workforce transition ahead of Yallourn’s scheduled closure.

In its submission, council highlighted the significant economic, social and financial impacts that Yallourn’s closure will have across the municipality.

This also includes the need for timely, mandated and proportionate support for impacted workers, families, businesses, and the broader community.

Latrobe City mayor, Sharon Gibson acknowledged the affect on the entire community and council’s wish to support everyone.

“The closure affects us and we need to get the plan right for our people,” she said.

“It is imperative that the (NZEA) take on board the points raised in our submission.

“This will ensure that workers at Yallourn, as well as our community, have security into the future.”

The mayor and deputy mayor, Dale Harriman further delivered this point to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during council’s recent visit to Canberra, emphasising how the Latrobe Valley is one of the most impacted regions during the phase of energy transition.

When raised, the Prime Minister was said to have recognised this and agreed to visit the Latrobe Valley in the future.

Council added that it will continue to work with government, industry and the community to support a coordinated transition that protects jobs, strengthens the economy and supports long-term resilience across the region.

The Express reached out to Minster D’Ambrosio for comment, but did not receive a response before deadline.