The community is being encouraged to help shape future mine rehabilitation with the release of the Latrobe Valley Regional Rehabilitation Strategy (LVRRS) Overview for public feedback.
The LVRRS is part of the Victorian Government’s response to the Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry and will deliver a regional scale mine rehabilitation strategy.
The release of the LVRRS Overview provides an opportunity for public comment and feedback ahead of the final strategy being published in June 2020.
Preparation of the final strategy will be based on a series of key principles which are outlined in the LVRRS Overview. The Overview also articulates the role of government and the mine operators in rehabilitation planning for the region.
Over the past 18 months, a number of land stability, water and land use planning studies have been undertaken to inform the Strategy.
These studies considered the use and availability of water to stabilise mine voids; the risk of ground movement and fire, possible effects on infrastructure and how they may be mitigated; and the potential uses for land surrounding the mines.
The final Strategy will provide information on the:
- regional risks that need to be considered and addressed in rehabilitation plans;
- feasibility of supplying water if required for safe, stable and sustainable rehabilitation; and
- possible future land uses for the rehabilitated sites in a regional context.
Consultation on the LVRRS Overview is now open until 17 January 2020. During this time the Project team will be engaging with key stakeholders in a variety of ways to ensure their views are captured.
To view the LVRRS Overview and provide your feedback, visit engage.vic.gov.au.
As noted by Jane Burton, Acting Executive Director, Earth Resources Policy and Programs:
“I’d encourage anyone with an interest in mine rehabilitation within the Latrobe Valley to take a look at the LVRRS Overview document.”
“There’s a large amount of technical work that’s been undertaken as part of the LVRRS to date and this is summarised in the Overview. I’d encourage anyone interested in this issue to make a submission.”
As noted by Rae Mackay, Latrobe Valley Mine Rehabilitation Commissioner:
“It’s great to see preparation of the Latrobe Valley Regional Rehabilitation Strategy progressing. The release of the Overview marks another important milestone in this Project.”
