Premier

Latrobe Valley To Get A New Mine Rehab Commissioner

25 May 2017

The Andrews Labor Government will appoint the first Latrobe Valley Mine Rehabilitation Commissioner after a Bill was passed through Parliament today.

The Mineral Resources (Sustainable Development) Amendment (Latrobe Valley Mine Rehabilitation Commissioner) Bill 2017 passed without amendment, and will set up the statutory office of the Commissioner.

The Commissioner, to be based in Morwell, will provide independent advice directly to the Government on mine rehabilitation issues and consult with local communities.

It will also assist in the development of the Latrobe Valley Regional Rehabilitation Strategy.

This delivers on a key recommendation from the reopened 2015-16 Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry, after the first Board of Inquiry failed to consider rehabilitation planning.

The Commissioner is required to work closely with the community, stakeholders and the Latrobe Valley mine operators on the development of the Strategy, as well as individual rehabilitation planning for each of the coal mines.

It will also work in partnership with the Latrobe Valley Mine Rehabilitation Advisory Committee.

The Government will continue to work closely with local communities and industry to implement all of the 2014 Inquiry recommendations.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Resources Wade Noonan

“The Latrobe Valley has made it clear that mine rehabilitation is a top priority – and we’ve acted.”

“We will now move to appoint a dedicated Mine Rehabilitation Commissioner to oversee this important issue.”

“The Commissioner will be independent and work directly with communities to ensure they have a say on the future of their region.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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