Transitioning to a low carbon economy

Latrobe City Council has recognised that international and Australian policies are being developed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in response to growing concern about climate change.

In an Australian first Council has developed a policy to facilitate a smooth transition to a low carbon future. The approach taken by Council in the development of our policy was collaborative. Collaboration was seen as the key in order to successfully address the challenges and opportunities presented by a proposed scheme and to enable an effective policy position to be developed.

Regional Partnerships

Latrobe City Council is committed to continue its focus on building strong and effective partnerships with all stakeholders, and working together to deliver on the aspirations of our community.

Council has determined its priorities and has a clear direction for a sustainable and prosperous future.  This will be achieved by working in partnership with its citizens, other levels of government, business and commercial interests. 

Council will continue to advocate for our region in bigger circles and understands this requires a sustained effort, built on strong relationships and persistence. 

Putting Latrobe City on the map requires keeping abreast of international events, national and state policy directions as well as continually fostering strong relationships with our government partners.  But it is unlikely that Latrobe City can have such an impact on its own.  Achieving the vision will require partnerships between community industry and government, across all parts of Gippsland and regional Victoria.  Strong regional leadership will be essential for future success in attracting government funding and private sector investment. 

Advocacy & Partnerships – Strategic Directions

• Provide regional leadership and strengthen partnerships on issues of importance to our community.
• Advocate on behalf of our community and its vision for a secure and sustainable future.
• Actively build partnerships with other municipalities, government, industry and community agencies to deliver important services and projects, and ensure strong outcomes for our community.
• Build a strong image of Latrobe City which emphasises prosperity, liveability and a sense of self- confidence and resilience with the community.
• Strengthen relationships with the Victorian and Australian Governments, to ensure that Latrobe City Council is positioned to take advantage of strategic initiatives and funding opportunities.

Positioning Latrobe City for a Low Carbon Emission Future

Latrobe City Council developed Positioning Latrobe City for a Low Carbon Emissions Future to provide Council with an overarching framework to overcome challenges and maximise opportunities that may be presented by a carbon constrained economy. This policy is the first of its kind that has been developed by any Council in Australia and will ensure that Latrobe City Council and the Gippsland region is in a position to lead the transformation at both a local community and regional level.

At its meeting on 6 April 2010 Council resolved to adopt the Positioning Latrobe City for a Low Carbon Emissions Future (2010) policy position. 

Download a copy of the Positioning Latrobe City for a Low Carbon Emissions Future (2010) policy 

Low Carbon Emissions Future Transition Committee 

A major action of Council’s policy is the establishment of the Low Carbon Emissions Future Transition Committee.  The Committee will play a strong role in advocating on behalf of the community and will be a one-stop-shop for the Victorian and Australian Government engagement. 

The committee members appointed by Council include Latrobe City mayor Cr Ed Vermeulen; Cr Darrell White; Cr Lisa Price; Cr Sharon Gibson; Clean Coal Victoria Advisory Committee chair Ms Kellie O’Callaghan; Loy Yang Power‘s Simon Vanderzalm; Safetech’s David Wakefield; HVP Plantations’ Owen Trumper, Alstom’s Jason Price; Agribusiness Gippsland’s deputy chair Dr Robin Lawson; Victorian Employers' Chamber of Commerce and Industry executive general manager Richard Berriman; Australian Metal Workers Union’s Steve Dodds; Gippsland Trades and Labour Council’s Valerie Prokopiv; Monash University Gippsland Campus head of school of applied science and engineering Prof. Mark Sandeman; GippsTAFE general manager corporate services Mr Jim Vivian; and RMIT school of management international employment relations Prof. Peter Fairbrother.

Download a copy of the committee's Terms of Reference

The committee will hold its next meeting on 19 June 2012 from 6-8pm in the Nambur Wariga room at Council Headquarters in Morwell. Our Terms of Reference permits members of the public to attend these meetings as observers. If you are interested in attending a meeting as an observer, please contact us to organise.

If you require further information please contact Julia Agostino Manager Regional Partnerships on (03) 5128 5759 or via email julia.agostino@latrobe.vic.gov.au.
 

Latrobe City Council - Member of the Coal Councils of Australia

Latrobe City Council is a founding member of the Coal Councils of Australia. Established in 2009, the Alliance seeks to represent the interests of communities likely to be impacted by carbon constraining legislation.

Key objectives of the Alliance are to engage in dialogue with the Federal Government regarding how impacted communities will transition effectively to a low carbon economy, and assistance in the completion of a Social Impact Analysis to determine appropriate transitional arrangements for each impacted region.

For more information, please see the Alliance website www.coalcouncils.com.au

If you require further information please contact Julia Agostino Manager Regional Partnerships on (03) 5128 5759 or via email julia.agostino@latrobe.vic.gov.au.