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First Latrobe Valley Mine Rehab Commissioner Appointed

06 July 2017

The Andrews Labor Government has appointed Professor Rae Mackay as the first Latrobe Valley Mine Rehabilitation Commissioner.

Professor Mackay, a Latrobe Valley local, has more than three decades of experience as an engineer, hydro-geologist and academic both in Australia and around the world.

He has most recently served as the Director of Federation University’s Geotechnical and Hydrogeological Engineering Research Group based in Churchill.

Professor Mackay has had first-hand exposure to some of the unique challenges associated with mine rehabilitation in the Latrobe Valley.

He has previously served in senior academic postings in the United Kingdom, including time as Head of the Hydrogeology Research Group and School of Earth Sciences at the University of Birmingham. He was also Director of the Centre for Land Use and Water Resources Research at the University of Newcastle.

The new Commissioner will provide independent advice directly to the Government on mine rehabilitation, oversee rehabilitation planning and help develop the Latrobe Valley Regional Rehabilitation Strategy.

Professor Mackay will work closely with the community, stakeholders and Latrobe Valley mine operators and the Latrobe Valley Mine Rehabilitation Advisory Committee.

The appointment of the Commissioner delivers on a key recommendation from the reopened Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Resources Wade Noonan

“Professor Mackay is a perfect candidate for this role, bringing decades of engineering experience as well as local knowledge of the Latrobe Valley.”

“The Commissioner is independent and will work directly with key stakeholders and local communities to ensure the best possible rehabilitation outcomes for the region.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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