Latrobe City Council welcomes yesterday’s announcement of a Structured Transition Agreement with AGL providing more certainty for the workforce and community.
As Victoria’s most heavily impacted and transitioning region, we stand with our community to support the equitable transition of our region’s industry landscape and economy and are encouraged by AGL’s commitment to the workforce and our community.
We welcome confirmation that AGL Loy Yang A will remain operational until 2035, providing a firm 12-year notice period for our community and importantly the workforce who are directly and indirectly employed by the power station and mine.
We acknowledge the financial commitment that the operators of Loy Yang A and the Victorian Government have agreed to provide through a $50 million Community and Economic Development Fund, in addition to AGL’s rehabilitation, closure planning and regulation obligations.
We are encouraged by AGL’s vision for the Latrobe Valley Energy Hub and potential partnerships in the renewable energy sector as they plan to repurpose the site into a low carbon integrated industrial energy hub over the next 12 years. We understand the repurposing of the site would support the creation of new job opportunities across a range of new industries within the region and leverage the technical expertise and skilled ready available workforce.
As Gippsland’s Regional City, Council plays a critical leadership role in advocating for both public and private investment to support community aspirations.
Our Transition plan is a comprehensive roadmap that outlines our community’s collective journey towards a brighter and more sustainable future. Our Transition plan highlights opportunities in emerging sectors such as renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, tourism, and creative industries, were we aim to generate new employment opportunities and stimulate economic growth.
We would welcome the opportunity to further discuss these opportunities and how they could align with AGL’s Community and Economic Development Fund.
Mayor of Latrobe City, Cr Kellie O’Callaghan took the opportunity to discuss the Victorian Government’s commitment to re-establish the State Electricity Commission (SEC) in Morwell when meeting with Minister for Climate Action, Energy and Resources and the State Electricity Commission, Lily D ’Ambrosio yesterday.
The Mayor spoke with the Minister about the $12 million funding pledge to establish VET qualifications, delivering jobs and funding the business case for the SEC, and the establishment of the TAFE Clean Energy Fund which will support the creation of a $5 million Clean Energy Centre at TAFE Gippsland’s Morwell Campus Trade Skills Centre, to support the next generation of trades people to deliver SEC renewable energy projects.
Fast tracking the establishment of the SEC and associated renewable energy projects and training will provide new jobs and industry which is critical in aiding in our region’s transformation.
Council remains committed to working collaboratively with the Victorian Government. Together we can achieve a sustainable energy future that supports worker transition, the creation of new and emerging jobs, training and development of our highly skilled workforce and future workforce, while ensuring a considered transition for our community and protection of the environment.