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Council Responds To Hazelwood Heritage Nomination

Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning advised Latrobe City Council that the State Government has received and accepted a nomination to consider the Hazelwood Power Station for inclusion in the Victorian Heritage Register.

By Portal Admin - 21st September 2017 - Back to News

Mayor Cr O’Callaghan said that Council was not a party to the application.

"The proponents have not sought nor secured the support of Council. I’m not aware if they have sought or secured the support of the community.

"While the consideration of this asset will be on its historical merit, Council will be seeking assurance from the State Government that this asset will not become a burden on the community.

"We have been advised that the process will involve:

assessment of the nomination by a Heritage Victoria officer;

a recommendation by the Executive Director of Heritage Victoria on whether the Heritage Council should or should not include the place in the Victorian Heritage Register;

public notice of the recommendation (60 days are provided for public submissions to be made on the recommendation);

a hearing by the Heritage Council, if requested;

a decision by the Heritage Council to include or not include the place in the Victorian Heritage Register.

"While this is the standard process for considering the merit of a historical asset, there is no doubt that this process lacks broad generous community engagement.

"For many members of our community participating in a process of public submission can be quite daunting and an impediment to participation.

"Considering the imposing presence of this asset on the landscape of Latrobe City, I would urge Mr Avery the Executive Director to reconsider the process and prior to receiving public submissions, undertake broad meaningful community engagement.

"This is an important decision – it is worthy of a generous conversation with the community, not a cold and clinical exchange of paper.

"Latrobe City Council will advocate and lobby to ensure that whatever the final decision is for this facility, that it will not become a burden to the community.

"It will also advocate that all issues around asbestos management and contaminants are resolved to the satisfaction of the community," Cr O’Callaghan said.

"It is imperative that the cost of maintaining this asset is never borne by our ratepayers. Nor should they be left with an abandoned decaying industrial site

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