Down to business

Baw Baw Shire Council’s Hazelwood closure working group met in Trafalgar just before Christmas to discuss opportunities to drive economic growth and protect the shire’s social fabric.

Baw Baw mayor Joe Gauci said that while Latrobe City was at the epicentre of transition, Baw Baw and Wellington shires were also significantly affected.

He said it was important to work closely with the other Gippsland councils and the broader Gippsland Local Government Network to ensure the transition was well planned and successful.

In addition to Cr Gauci, the working group includes councillors Michael Leaney and Jessica O’Donnell, Rachel Romano, Brendan Kingwill, Bruce McDonald, Darryn Snell, Tony Wolfe, Kevin Downie, Paul Ryan, Mick Murphy, Christine Holland, Hanna Wardell, Anthony Battista, Mariah Dastey, Alistair Carr, Terri Maslen, Kate Wattchow and Jenni Crean.

The members come from diverse professional backgrounds, including the power industry, education sector, business, social wellbeing, finance and the public sector.

They include several people who were affected by the privatisation of the Latrobe Valley Power stations and mines in the 1990s.

Cr Gauci, who led a workshop with the group, said he was energised by the way the group approached the session.

“Sitting around the table, we have a highly skilled group of people, including directly affected employees, who are well equipped to advise council on how it should respond and where council should direct its focus.

“We are truly fortunate to have such a talented group of community minded leaders who can guide Council through this critical period.”