The Nationals’ Member for Morwell, Martin Cameron, has urged the Allan Labor Government to review “outdated” coal protection overlays across the Latrobe Valley that are blocking economic development.
Addressing Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, Mr Cameron said existing coal-related planning provisions across the Latrobe Valley that were introduced to preserve coal resources more than 40 years ago must be reviewed so major projects can get underway.
“Some of these coal overlays are outdated, obsolete, and they are stifling development right across the region,” Mr Cameron said.
“The overlays are preventing construction of the Traralgon by-pass, development of the South East Traralgon Precinct, locking up land in Morwell and Hazelwood North, and wasting hundreds of hectares of land that could be used for housing.”
In May, responding to an earlier call for a review of the 40-year-old coal overlays, the Minister described them as “contemporary”.
“It is not good enough the Minister refuses to revisit and review these coal overlay provisions, and the argument they are still relevant is flawed and contradictory,” Mr Cameron said.
“In 2018, Labor removed coal overlays altogether on 18 square kilometres in Morwell South. It said the coal overlays were “introduced when it was envisaged the Latrobe Valley would have many more power stations”.
“The former Planning Minister said review of the coal overlays “is about modernising planning provisions in the Valley to support economic development”.
“We cannot wait until the Latrobe Valley’s mines are rehabilitated – which is at least 20 years away – to get on with shoring up our future.
“I’m again urging the Minister for Planning to commit to a review of the coal overlays across the Valley and, if appropriate, rezone parcels of land that can be used to deliver major projects.”
