Developing the Latrobe Valley Resources Future

Developing the Latrobe Valley Resources Future (DLVRF) is a $A1.5 million initiative over 3 years, commenced in July 2006, to support and encourage new brown coal- based investment in the Latrobe Valley including generating opportunities from products derived from coal. This Initiative is part of Moving Forward, the government's Provincial Victoria Statement. Moving Forward is a plan of action to position provincial Victoria to attract new people, ideas, investment and businesses, and hence drive the next wave of growth and development in provincial Victoria. One of the key aims is driving growth and competitiveness in Victoria’s Primary Industries. Developing the Latrobe Valley Resources Future is an initiative arising from this. Coal has the potential to be one of the new drivers of economic growth in Victoria, particularly with the uniquely positioned underground reservoirs in Bass Strait being used to store carbon dioxide that may be generated from processing of coal in the region. Attracting new ideas, investment and people will be vital to unlocking this potential.

Planning for a new future in the Latrobe Valley The DLRVF Initiative will contribute to establishing a plan of action and blueprint for attracting new ideas, investment and businesses to the Latrobe Valley region. Furthermore, the project will emphasise the Government’s commitment to sustainable development through considering solutions to the issues and challenges facing the future utilisation of Victoria’s vast coal resources, including such aspects as storage of greenhouse gas emissions arising from coal developments. This Initiative will build on the recommendations arising from the Latrobe Valley 2100 Coal Resource Project.

Technology the key to the future
The Government is aiming to build a new future for the coal industry in the Latrobe Valley. It has attracted potentially massive new investment such as the Monash Energy proposal and encouraged existing and new companies to invest in a clean coal future. The Government currently assists new clean coal technology investments through the Energy Technology Innovation Strategy (ETIS). Currently, the Victorian Government has committed approximately $190 million under ETIS to facilitate research, development, demonstration and commercialisation of new energy and greenhouse technologies.

With the new level of activity comes the need for better coordination of the coal resource to ensure a growing clean coal future for Victoria and to drive further sustainable investment in the Latrobe Valley. In 2006 the Government made a commitment to establishing a Clean Coal Authority that will develop a strategic plan which identifies the extent and appropriate uses of Victorian coal, coordinates research and development and matches appropriate clean coal technologies to the available coal.

These developments have the potential to lay the foundations for zero emissions cities of the future.

The Clean Energy Hub for the new Victoria
The Government has further committed to establishing the Latrobe Valley as a hub for energy and resource processing industries to generate a new wave of economic growth and prosperity.

What this Initiative is not! The Initiative does not examine greenhouse gas emissions or emissions trading schemes as this work is happening in other Government programs. The DLVRF Initiative is based on the premise that any future use of brown coal could meet government policy on greenhouse gas emissions. Although mindful that technological developments for clean coal are an integral part of the future of coal development, this Initiative does not directly fund the development of clean coal technologies. Rather, through the strategies and plans it establishes, the Initiative lays the foundations that will provide the basis to develop the coal resources of the Latrobe Valley. The Government is committed to stimulating and supporting leading edge research in clean coal technologies to maximise the business potential of the coal industry within a sustainable framework. While an increase in greenhouse gas emissions is an issue that needs to be managed, it is also clear that it is a long term issue that requires long term solutions – there are no quick fixes. Victoria’s challenge is to not only retain our competitive supply of electricity while reducing greenhouse emissions but also to encourage new ways to use this valuable resource. For more information on the Governments response to greenhouse gas emissions please visit the Victorian Greenhouse Strategy website (external link).

Status
The Developing the Latrobe Valley Resources Future (DVLRF) project is currently underway with the project implementation and evaluation plan having been prepared and approved by Government.

Progress of the project will also be monitored under the governance framework for PVS initiatives.

Key products from this Initiative will be displayed on this website as they arise.

Key contacts
Sean Rooney
Coal Development Manager
Ph (03) 9658 4739
Sean.Rooney@dpi.vic.gov.au

Renee Kjar
Project Officer
Ph (03) 9658 4403
Renee.Kjar@dpi.vic.gov.au