Input sought on Hazel Creek plan

Baw Baw Council and the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) are developing a plan to better manage and enhance Hazel Creek and associated tributaries that flow through the urban area of Warragul.

This partnership approach will bring together management and planning expertise that will ensure a coordinated response to the protection, restoration and sustainable use of the Hazel Creek system. Read more

TAFE awards success

Monash Gippsland has sponsored eight industry awards to outstanding GippsTAFE students in courses which are linked to degrees offered at university.

Monash representatives attended a series of Industry Awards nights throughout February to present the awards, which included a $250 prize for the recipients.

Eight awards were presented, including outstanding awards for Nursing, Koorie Studies, Art, Design and Multimedia, Information Technology, Writing and Editing, and Accounting. The aim of the awards is to support GippsTAFE students in their future studies and encourage them to expand on their TAFE qualification by following a pathway into university. Read more

Loy Yang business plan charts future

Loy Yang Power has released a new business plan that will chart the company’s direction and priorities over the next 15 years. It outlines strategies to secure the company’s future as a low-cost, supplier of quality coal and energy in a carbon constrained world. Read more

Crisis in supported accommodation

Nationals Member for Morwell Russell Northe last night called upon the State Government to act with urgency to implement recommendations provided in an inquiry into Supported Accommodation for Victorians with a Disability and/or Mental Illness.

Instigated by the Liberal Nationals Coalition and headed by the State Parliament’s Family and Community Development Committee, the inquiry has revealed a supported accommodation crisis across Victoria and especially Gippsland. Read more

Traralgon activity plan under way

A project that establishes a master plan and urban design framework for the Traralgon Town Centre has started, with the appointment of Hansen Partnership to undertake the project.

The Traralgon Activity Centre Plan Project is a partnership between Latrobe City and the State Government and will address traffic management, car parking, commercial/retail opportunities, medium density housing, public transport improvements, community infrastructure, open space, heritage conservation and connectivity.

Latrobe City mayor, Cr Kellie O’Callaghan, said the project will give existing businesses, future investors and the community more certainty about the future direction of the growth of the town and cement Traralgon as a significant place to invest and live in the Latrobe Valley and regional Victoria.

“The Traralgon Activity Centre Plan Project will build on previous studies to ensure sustainable development of the Traralgon Town Centre over the next 20 years. It will accommodate forecast population growth and associated service demand, Cr O’Callaghan explained.

Cr O’Callaghan said the community will have the opportunity to attend consultation sessions over the coming months.

“The sessions will be advertised when dates, locations and times have been confirmed, so that everyone can provide input into the planning process, Cr O’Callaghan explained.

Hansen Partnership is one of Australia’s multidisciplinary planning and design consultancies serving both the private and public sectors in Victoria, NSW and internationally.

Further information on the Traralgon Activity Centre Plan Project is available from Gail Gatt at Latrobe City Council, telephone 1300 367 700, or visit the web page.

Welcome packs welcomed

Township welcome packs containing information on facilities, services, heritage and the local environment have been developed by local community groups to hand out to new residents in the seven small townships in Latrobe City, as part of a State Government funded program known as the Community Building Initiative.

Latrobe City mayor, Councillor Kellie O’Callaghan said that the production of township welcome packs was just one example of the benefits of like-minded community groups working together. Read more

New mayor elected

Cr Kellie O’Callaghan was elected Latrobe City’s new mayor at a special council meeting held on Monday night. Cr Sandy Kam was elected deputy mayor.

Cr O’Callaghan served as deputy mayor from December 2008 to December 2009. Cr O’Callaghan was elected to the Fifth Latrobe City Council in the 2008 local government election. Read more

Water warning for bushfire season

Gippsland Water managing director David Mawer pointed to a number of factors that make reticulated water an unreliable water source during a bushfire.

“We have 17 water supply systems, all of which are designed to cope with peak seasonal demands and can continue to supply treated water in the event of short-term power outages,” Mr Mawer said. Read more

Traralgon Creek catchment tour

The West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority (WGCMA) and Waterwatch joined forces with the Traralgon Creek Neighbourhood Environment Improvement Program (NEIP) to conduct a tour of the Traralgon Creek catchment.

The aim of the day was to highlight the importance of water quality monitoring on the system with the launch of the TRACKFIRE Community Monitoring Project. Read more

CPRS amendments inadequate

Victorian generator Loy Yang Power says the proposed amendments to the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme do not adequately compensate the generator sector for the losses that will be incurred due to the introduction of the legislation.

“Compensation for the generation sector has been increased, however the assistance package remains significantly less than the financial impact on the industry, and does not address the long term need for the hundreds of millions of dollars of additional working capital that will be required to operate in this new carbon market,” said Loy Yang Power chief executive Ian Nethercote. Read more

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