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Successful Meeting With Minister For Resources And Energy Latrobe City Councillors, the Chief Executive Officer, and Council’s Low Carbon Transition Committee met with the Hon Martin Ferguson AM MP, By Latrobe City - 29th August 2011 - Back to News Federal Minister for Resources and Energy, Minister for Tourism on Saturday.
The meeting, at Council’s corporate headquarters in Morwell, was primarily arranged to raise issues relating to the Latrobe Valley’s transition to a future low carbon economy.
Latrobe City mayor, Councillor Darrell White, said that Council was very grateful to have the minister’s presence, and the meeting was very much welcomed as it provided an ideal opportunity to develop a shared understanding of the issues and challenges our community faces.
"We need to make sure our region stays foremost in the minds of the Government as we head towards the implementation of the carbon tax, and the realisation of a changing economic landscape. We need to ensure the Government’s ongoing support for our workers, our local businesses, and our community.
"We briefed the minister on our low carbon transition policy and achievements to date, our willingness to be proactive in this area, but also of our need for assistance at all levels of government," Cr White said.
"We took the opportunity to again request support for further research and development opportunities in low carbon technologies and the need to develop and maintain partnerships over the coming years to assist us in the transition process.
"Minister Ferguson discussed several issues with Council’s Low Carbon Transition Committee including industry diversification, short and long-term support to carry out research, and developing ongoing relationships with government and potential partners.
"It was a positive meeting where we received a lot of good indicators both for future support and for further ministerial meetings. That we continue to be proactive in this area is of utmost importance, and we intend to keep the lines of communication open between ourselves and the government. As we progress further down this road, we will need to make sure that we are well-prepared, flexible and well-supported," Cr White concluded.
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Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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