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Mayor To Seek Meeting With Climate Change Minister, Penny WongLatrobe City mayor, Cr Bruce Lougheed, has requested an immediate meeting with Federal Climate Change Minister, Penny Wong. By Latrobe City - 10th October 2008 - Back to News "We need to urgently discuss the impact on the Latrobe City community of the soon to be announced Carbon Emissions Trading Scheme," Cr Lougheed said.
Cr Lougheed claimed that the final Garnaut report, issued last week, had dramatically changed the Australian Government’s position.
"The first two Garnaut reports were full of doom and gloom for the Latrobe Valley, identifying this region as the only one to suffer major disadvantage from the introduction of Emissions Trading. However, Garnaut held out the prospect of federal assistance to handle the considerable reduction in employment in the brown coal mining and power generation industry that was predicted to occur over the next ten years.
"The final Garnaut report now takes a major step back from offering any assistance, indicating that there is no immediate problem. What has changed?" Cr Lougheed questioned.
"The financial press has reported a number of meetings between the Australian Government and power generation companies. Minister Wong is now on record as guaranteeing compensation payments to these companies to handle the transition to the Emissions Trading Scheme," Cr Lougheed said.
"Having consulted the power industry, it is now appropriate that the minister consult our community. The key issue being compensation and assistance to enable the community to adjust to these predicted changes."
Latrobe City councillor, Cr Graeme Middlemiss, said the latest Garnaut report was sending confused messages. "On one hand Garnaut is saying that there is now no immediate problem for the Latrobe Valley, but then goes on to advocate the closure of Yallourn ‘W’ or Hazelwood. It is interesting to note that even the power companies are still predicting early plant closures, despite Garnaut’s assurances," Cr Middlemiss said.
"Latrobe City suffered badly during the power industry corporatisation and privatisation process of the 1990s," Cr Middlemiss explained.
"We need to avoid a repeat of that situation at all cost. The sooner the mayor and Minister Wong meet to resolve these issues, the better," he added.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com

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Latrobe City hosted the 2025 Gippsland New Energy Conference, attracting 1,000 attendees and showcasing the region's renewable energy leadership, delivering major economic benefits and fostering industry, government, and community collaboration. - Latrobe excluded from bus funding, prompting renewed calls for better regional transport connectivity, reliability and integrated train-bus services
Latrobe City has been excluded from $100 million bus funding, prompting concerns over poor service coordination, limited connectivity, and calls for urgent regional transport review and investment. - Latrobe kindergarten enrolments open 1 May 2026, offering 15 hours weekly and open days in April and May
Latrobe City kindergarten enrolments for 2027 open 1 May 2026 and close 30 June. Programs offer 15 hours weekly, with Open Days in April and May for families to explore Council kindergartens and Pre-Prep options. - Latrobe unites to tackle gambling harm during awareness week: 'Set Before You Bet' 2025
Latrobe City Council is urging residents to take part in Gambling Harm Awareness Week (27 Oct - 2 Nov) and "Set before you bet" by learning to recognise signs and reduce gambling harm. - Latrobe Regional Gallery launches Autumn 2026 season, featuring five exhibitions exploring migration, heritage and environment
Latrobe Regional Gallery’s Autumn 2026 season opens 7 February, featuring five exhibitions exploring migration, heritage, identity, environment, and connections to place, including works by Lucy Hersey and Janina Green. - Latrobe Regional Gallery Mainstreet Cafe fosters skill development, employment, and community engagement for all abilities
Latrobe Regional Gallery welcomes Mainstreet Cafe, an all-abilities social enterprise providing inclusive hospitality training, employment opportunities, and community engagement, fostering skills development and pathways for people of all abilities. - Latrobe Health Assembly wins 2025 Australasia Organisation of the Year for excellence in community engagement
Latrobe Health Assembly has won the 2025 Australasia Organisation of the Year Award for Excellence in Community Engagement, recognising its innovative, community-driven approach to improving health and wellbeing across the Latrobe Valley. - Latrobe Valley households to cut energy bills with efficient electric heat pump hot water system upgrades
Latrobe Valley households can cut energy bills by $330 annually with efficient heat pump hot water systems, thanks to the Allan Labor government's SEC one stop shop pilot expansion. - Latrobe Valley's new 100MW big battery boosts energy reliability, cuts power bills, and supports Victoria's renewable transition
A 100MW Latrobe Valley big battery has officially opened, boosting energy reliability, cutting power bills, and supporting Victoria's renewable transition, helping achieve government storage targets while delivering affordable electricity. - Danny O'Brien announces finalised Loch Sport groyne designs, Gippsland Ports to seek tenders before Christmas
Erosion works on Loch Sport foreshore will begin next year, with designs finalised for new groynes. Danny O'Brien praised the community's persistence and vowed to push for further coastal protection. - Latrobe Health Assembly to continue, thanks to strong community support and new independent, community-owned future
Defunded in the 2025 State Budget, the Latrobe Health Assembly will continue as a leaner, community-owned organisation tackling local health and wellbeing challenges through collaboration and grassroots leadership. - Baw Baw Shire Council returns 37 cultural artefacts to Lardil people in historic Mornington Island repatriation
Baw Baw Shire Mayor Danny Goss led a historic journey to Mornington Island, repatriating 37 cultural artefacts to the Lardil People, marking a significant step toward reconciliation and cultural heritage restoration. - Latrobe Valley still waiting for Commonwealth Games Legacy Housing, four years after Labor promise
Regional Victorians miss hosting Commonwealth Games athletes as promised Morwell legacy housing remains unbuilt. Nationals MPs Martin Cameron and Melina Bath criticize Allan Labor government’s broken promises amid worsening public housing crisis. - City of Traralgon Band gifts council commemorative photograph after successful international remembrance tour
The City of Traralgon Band gifted Latrobe City Council a photograph commemorating their UK and Europe Tour of Remembrance, including performances at Menin Gate and recognition with two awards. - Melina Bath says Latrobe Valley has lost police resources under Labor despite rising crime and reduced officer numbers across the region
Melina Bath says Victoria has fewer police under Labor, with Latrobe Valley losing officers amid rising crime and calls for stronger recruitment and policing reforms. - Morwell River Ward Councillor Tracie Lund resigns, prompting Latrobe City by-election and community engagement process
Morwell River Ward Councillor Tracie Lund has resigned from Latrobe City Council. A by-election will be held, with the VEC managing nominations and voting to fill the vacancy. - Martin Cameron says Latrobe Valley community safety declines as crime rises six percent, police resources reduced
Martin Cameron warns Latrobe Valley community safety is worsening under Labor, citing rising crime, reduced police resources, retail theft spikes, weak bail laws, and calls for tougher prevention and policing measures. - Gippsland Water launches pop-up events inviting Latrobe Valley residents to help shape future water services and planning decisions
Gippsland Water will host pop-up events across the Latrobe Valley, inviting community feedback to help shape future water services, pricing, and infrastructure planning. - Martin Cameron criticises Labor government over delayed Morwell sobering-up facility, broken promises and lack of ministerial accountability
Martin Cameron criticised the Allan Labor government for failing to deliver the promised Morwell sobering-up facility, ignoring repeated parliamentary questions, leaving the Latrobe Valley without adequate public intoxication support. - Darren Chester supports ASIC Traralgon presence, strengthening regional jobs and long-term public service workforce stability
After touring the facility and meeting staff, Mr Chester said ASIC also benefited because country people were more likely to remain in their roles and provide a continuity of service for the organisation. - Have your say on the draft Community Amenity Local Law, submission open until 22 June 2026
Latrobe City Council is seeking community feedback on its draft Community Amenity Local Law, covering property upkeep, animals, waste, burning and Council land use. Open until 22 June 2026 through online, email, mail and in-person options.
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