Terms of reference for Hazelwood group
The terms of reference have been adopted for a working group established by Baw Baw Shire to examine the impact of Hazelwood Power Station’s closure in March next year.
Council also endorsed the appointment of 17 community representatives to the working group.
Council previously called for expressions of interest from people interested in joining the group.
The community members appointed include Rachel Romano, Brendan Kingwill, Bruce McDonald, Darryn Snell, Tony Wolfe, Kevin Downie, Paul Ryan, Mick Murphy, Christine Holgate, Hanna Wardell, Anthony Battista, Mariah Dastey, Alistair Carr, Fiona Nixon , Kate Wattchow, Don Auchterlonie and Jenni Creen.
Following the announcement by French company Engie last month that Hazelwood would close at the end of March, council decided to establish a working group to assess the impact on local employees and businesses.
The main objective of the group is to advise council on the potential impacts that the Hazelwood’s closure will have on local workers, their families and businesses in the municipality and the broader region.
Council approached the community seeking people who are passionate about Baw Baw and the Latrobe Valley and have ideas and initiatives to grow local and regional jobs, and to help council best support those directly and indirectly affected by the closure.
Council’s goal is to work with the community, and its neighbouring council’s and other levels of government to establish a plan that focuses on growing the region through this transition period and into the future.
Council wants to ensure every avenue is explored to secure funding for long term projects that will develop more opportunities for jobs and growth in Gippsland as a whole.
The roles and functions of the working group will be:
Work with council to identify potential impacts on local community, business, local workers and their families;
Provide advice on consequences as a result of the closure and the transition of the Latrobe Valley;
Provide advice, support and assistance in the implementation of a program; and,
Assist council with developing a plan for managing economic transition.
The group will be chaired by mayor Joe Gauci. Up to two councillors will be on the working group as well as chief executive officer Helen Anstis as well as an executive manager or director.
The effectiveness and membership of the working group will be reviewed in July 2017.
Good season
Warm weather has set up West Gippsland for a good hay harvest.
Pasture specialist with the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Frank Mickan said the expected conditions would top off what has been a good year for farmers.
Mr Mickan said the rain earlier this month was “tremendous” for pasture regrowth.
He said there was some early cut silage in October, although hindered by only brief periods of fine weather, but conditions were much more favourable in November.
Mr Mickan expects it will be a good hay season that should avoid most farmers having to buy in hay from northern areas, something that will be appreciated with current milk prices.
Last month’s rain at Warragul of 68.6 millimetres fell on 16 days with half the total recorded over a stretch from November 22-27.
The figure was 20 millimetres below the all years’ average for the month and the January-November total of 821.9 millimetres was 31 millimetres down on the average.
December’s all years’ average is 79.4 millimetres but the latest Bureau of Meteorology outlook is that the region has only a 35-40 per cent chance of exceeding that this month.