Media releases

Federation University Australia researchers are seeking participants in a Community Panel to discuss the future uses of the land surrounding the Latrobe Valley’s disused coal mines.

Over the past 18 months, Federation University and the CSIRO, funded through the Cooperative Research Centre for Transformations in Mining Economies (CRC-TiME), have been working with mine operators, government agencies and Traditional Owners to determine what future land uses might be possible once coal mining for power generation comes to an end in the Latrobe Valley

The panel will be made up of 30 people who will take part in sessions throughout October and November including site visits and the opportunity to ask project partners questions about mine rehabilitation, environment, economic development, planning, social services and new energy.

The outcomes of these deliberations, including preferences and concerns for the future land use options, will help contribute to future strategic planning in the Latrobe Valley region and the licensees’ mine closure plans.

As part of the project, the researchers, led by Federation’s Associate Professor Jess Reeves and the CSIRO’s Dr Tira Foran are also working with an Indigenous Reference group co-facilitated with the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corporation and delivering a Youth Design Summit in collaboration with the Gippsland Tech School.

Those interested in becoming involved in the panel can complete this registration form , visit the Collaborative Planning for the Future Vision of the Latrobe Valley Mines Facebook page, or contact Associate Professor Jess Reeves: j.reeves@federation.edu.au.

Quotes attributable to Federation University Associate Professor Jess Reeves

“As regions across the world transition to renewable energy, the legacy sites of old power generation and what benefit can be gained beyond their current purpose needs to be considered.”

“There are excellent examples we can draw from around the world, but it is important to open this conversation up to the community of the Latrobe Valley to understand what they would like their future to look like and what opportunities there are to heal country whilst providing prosperity for future generations and acknowledging the contribution that the Latrobe Valley has made to powering Victoria.”

“We are hoping to appoint a panel representative of the Latrobe Valley demographic who are not necessarily the loudest or most knowledgeable voices, but who care about the future of the Valley and want to learn more about the opportunities that these sites present.”