Latest News

• Add My News • Search Old News

Gippsland › Latest news › Latrobe Local News

Battery Recycling Plant: Hazelwood North

Details of the conditions of the approved planning scheme amendment for the proposed development.

By Portal Admin - 20th January 2021 - Back to News

State government has today provided details of the conditions of the approved planning scheme amendment for the proposed development at Fourth Road, Hazelwood North for the purpose of a Used Lead Acid Battery (ULAB) Recycling Facility. Latrobe City Council remains disappointed about the ministerial intervention into this matter under the auspice of the government’s Development Facilitation Program.

ULAB Recycling Facility failed to meet the requirements

Latrobe City Council officers will now review all documentation relating to the approved planning scheme amendment. Council can advise that the requirements the proposal has to adhere to are generally consistent with the conditions recommended by Council officers as per the Special Council Meeting held on 17 September 2020. After extensive community consultation Council voted to not issue a planning permit application for the ULAB recycling facility at the September Special Council Meeting, due to the overwhelming concerns and feedback from the community.

Council decided that the ULAB Recycling Facility did not meet the requirements of the Latrobe City Planning Scheme. The decision was made on planning grounds, including taking into consideration amenity impacts. Since receiving advice of the Planning Minister’s decision, Council has sought to ensure that community sentiment relating to the health and environmental impacts of the approved facility have been communicated to government.

Emphasis on the Health Innovation Zone

Council continues to question the relevance of the Health Innovation Zone in this decision. The state government was asked to provide a clear direction as to what role the Health Innovation Zone has if decisions can be made without consideration of the health and wellbeing outcomes of Latrobe? Council understands the community’s frustration and disappointment in the decision being made by government without any consultation with Council or the community.

Adherence to the legal requirements assured

As the responsible officers for ensuring that the legal requirements of the Ministerial approval are fully adhered to by the proponent, Council will focus on full adherence and compliance of the approval if it is acted upon.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com

• 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.
• Baw Baw Council and community oppose large-scale solar, battery projects threatening prime farmland and farming livelihoods
  Baw Baw Council and community express strong concerns over poorly sited solar and battery projects threatening prime farmland, seeking transparency, consultation, and protection of local farming livelihoods and regional character.
• East Gippsland Council launches 10-Year Waste and Recycling Plan, advancing circular economy and sustainable resource management
  East Gippsland Council has adopted a 10-Year Waste and Recycling Transition Plan, introducing FOGO, expanding kerbside collections, improving recycling, and supporting a circular economy across the region.
• Council urges transparent, community-focused approach for battery energy storage systems across Baw Baw
  Baw Baw Council raises concerns over proposed BESS projects, urging transparency, protection of prime agricultural land, community input, and stronger oversight of sites outside designated renewable energy zones.
• Gippsland Water begins Warragul wastewater plant upgrade to support growth, improve efficiency, and reduce environmental impact
  Gippsland Water has begun a two-year Warragul wastewater plant upgrade, replacing ageing infrastructure, improving operations, reducing carbon emissions, and enhancing environmental outcomes to support rapid regional growth.
• Bass Coast wins National AustStab Award for sustainable road recycling and innovative rehabilitation
  Bass Coast Shire Council won the 2025 AustStab Award for Excellence for pioneering road recycling methods, cutting emissions by 85%, truck movements by 80%, and delivering faster, more sustainable, durable roads with less disruption.
• Latrobe City Council endorses submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn declared mine rehabilitation plans
  Latrobe City Council has endorsed submissions on Hazelwood and Yallourn mine rehabilitation plans, promoting sustainable restoration, strong coordination, environmental accountability, community benefits, and long-term regional resilience.
• Martin Cameron criticises Labor’s ensured failure by hastening coal plant closures without planning baseload power replacements
  The Victorian Auditor-General warns a "disorderly energy transition" could cause power shortages, soaring prices, and job losses, with Labor’s accelerated coal closures and mismanaged renewable planning worsening the crisis.
• Reduction burn scheduled at Jepson Court Mirboo North on Friday 12 December 2025
  A planned fuel reduction burn will occur at Jepson Court, Mirboo North on 12 December 2025; residents should avoid the area, take care with smoke, and follow VicEmergency updates.