Community person to head group
An independent chairman will be appointed to the Hazelwood Working Group established by Baw Baw Shire last year.
Council agreed in November to establish a working group to assess the impacts of the Hazelwood Power Station on the community, particularly businesses, local workers and their families.
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.
A report to council said the aim was to work with the community, and neighbouring councils and other levels of government to establish a plan that focuses on growing the region through this transition period and into the future.
“The closure has significant economic and social impacts for our community, in particular those directly impacted workers and their families and businesses providing services and/or products to the energy sector.
“The group has been highly productive and shown strong commitment to working with council to advise how it can best support the community and the broader region through what is clearly a challenging period,” the report said.
Mayor Joe Gauci has chaired the group so far. However, officers suggested an independent chairman would further strengthen the working arrangement between council and the working group.
Cr Michael Leaney said it was just a technical change to allow the group some more flexibility.
“This is a positive thing for the group going forward,” he said.
Cr Darren Wallace said the working group had been working through ways to soften the blow of Hazelwood’s closure.
“For future advocacy, it’s important we separate the group from council. That way the mayor and the chair can put their views forward,” he said.
Cr Mikaela Power declared a conflict of interest.