Consider geo thermal
Good luck to those who have had their employment in the Latrobe Valley extended.
This is no time for cynicism but it's pretty obvious that the new jobs were only created at public expense for political reasons; governments need to be seen to be doing something.
Throwing money at problems without clear objectives that lead to lasting employment and economic benefits only defers and complicates the adjustment.
Our major capital cities are becoming vast parasitic conurbations with infrastructure and social problems that wasteful 'catchup' Band-aid measures will not solve.
It would be good to see the state and federal governments actively encouraging development of new opportunities for the regions.
The Latrobe and Gippsland Region has relatively well-developed infrastructure; it is rich with natural resources and there is no shortage of skilled and talented people. The region is also quite good at producing food very efficiently.
The Victorian Geothermal Assessment Report 2016 states: "For example, skilled power industry personnel, drilling contractors, transmission lines and large energy consumers are all co-located in the Latrobe Valley, which is also one of the most prospective locations for geothermal energy in the state.
No single body coordinates the activities of the disparate range of organisations with an interest in geothermal energy in Victoria. Without such a body it is likely that Victoria will continue to disregard its geothermal energy endowment."
The Latrobe Valley Authority is 'seeking input from everyone in the community to build a secure and prosperous future for the Latrobe Valley'.
No doubt the potential for geothermal energy projects in the valley will be among the ideas presented. Brown coal is a good thermal insulator but it is also very difficult to 'see' through.
It would be unfortunate if the state government ban on 'unconventional' gas exploration were to preclude investigation of geothermal energy potential in the Latrobe Valley.
Deep drilling for any purpose, including water, entails a risk of aquifers containing high water quality being connected to aquifers containing naturally-occurring toxic minerals and gases.
Opponents to drilling evidently accept and endorse climate science but seem to prefer cynical dogma to hydro-geology and chemistry. Resources, including water and energy, cannot be developed and sustainably managed without science and technology.
The ban will have to be replaced by rational, evidence-based decisions, case by case.
The development of wind or perhaps geothermal-powered pumped hydro-electricity potential on our coast and elsewhere would need considerable inputs which the Latrobe Valley could provide. And whatever happened to brown coal liquefaction?
Apart from fuel, carbon fibre, carbon anodes, activated carbon, filters, pigments, graphite, lubricants and conductors are potential hydrocarbonbased products. Other valuable products that can be manufactured from brown coal, including plastics and soil conditioners, are too numerous to mention.
We need to elect and support representatives with the ability, integrity, imagination and the will to lead. Max Thomas, Yarragon