Background
One of CRC TiME’s goals is to support Higher Degree by Research (HDR) students to contribute to and learn from regions in transition. Regional placements are a valuable way of doing so.
Late last year, PhD candidate Shazia Inman spent a month in the Latrobe Valley, learning from different people, groups and organisations about their experiences, concerns and aspirations for a post-mine future.
An executive summary and research paper bringing together this knowledge is being prepared, which will assist the Latrobe Valley and other regions in transition.
Shazia shares her experience below.
Key insights
- The Latrobe Valley faces closure of its remaining two brown coal mines and associated power stations, which is significantly altering the socio-economic landscape of the region. It also raises critical questions of how to manage such transitions fairly.
- Local people and groups, including First Nations, highlight the importance of equitable transitions, emphasising mine land rehabilitation, cultural preservation and inclusive opportunities for the region’s revival.
- The region’s experiences offer valuable insights into managing transitions, providing shared lessons for coal-dependent regions worldwide on fostering fair, sustainable and community-driven change.
A rich history powering Victoria and beyond
For decades, the Latrobe Valley has been synonymous with coal-fired energy, powering homes and industries across Victoria as well as eastern states. As the world shifts towards low-carbon energy, the closure of its coal plants looms large.
The region now faces an uncertain future.
Of the three coal-fired power plants hosted by the region — Hazelwood, Yallourn, and Loy Yang — Hazelwood shut down in 2017, with Yallourn and Loy Yang expected to close in 2028 and 2035, respectively.
While these closures are vital for achieving Victoria’s emissions reduction goals, managing their impacts on community wellbeing and local development remains a critical challenge.
30 days in the Latrobe Valley
Through CRC TiME’s HDR scholarship top-up initiative, I received financial assistance to work in the Latrobe Valley from 14 November to 15 December 2024.
My research explored multi-stakeholder perspectives on region-wide closures and studied strategies being implemented and planned to map and manage their impacts on the local communities.
I was hosted by Dr. Jessica Reeves, Federation University, and Rosemary Joiner, Mine Land Rehabilitation Authority (MLRA), who graciously facilitated introductions to various experts and stakeholders from across the region. Dr Reeves is co-lead of Project 1.7: Collaborative planning for post-mining development in the Latrobe Valley.
Their assistance was invaluable in deepening my understanding of the region, its challenges and potential pathways forward.
The Valley’s lush landscape of farms, mountains, wetlands, and its proximity to Melbourne made it an inspiring place to work, learn and reflect. During my visit, I interviewed people from diverse groups, including representatives from local councils, mining companies, civil society organisations and First Nations groups.
Collectively, their exhaustive knowledge of the region’s struggles and opportunities enabled a deeper understanding of the transition’s complexities such as the challenges of worker transition, mine land rehabilitation and economic diversification.
One of the important aspects was understanding what this transition meant for the region’s First Nations people, who have faced historic disadvantage both socially and economically. Their deep connection to the land makes them key partners in shaping the transition process.
Their perspectives on land rehabilitation, cultural preservation and economic inclusion are essential for ensuring that the Valley’s future is both sustainable and equitable.
Learning from community panels
Through my hosts, I participated in community panels, steering committee meetings on mine land rehabilitation, forums exploring alternative energy opportunities, community teach-in sessions and even a nuclear rally.
These sessions were highly engaging and provided a solid foundation for my research. The community engagement panels organised by Dr. Jessica Reeves as part of Project 1.7 were particularly enriching.
Over four days of extensive engagement with 30 community members, I gained first-hand insights into their experiences, expectations and priorities for socio-economic renewal in the region.
It also served as practical training in organising effective community engagement panels.
I had the opportunity to visit the Yallourn and Loy Yang mine sites and power stations. It was fascinating to learn about the technical aspects of shallow brown coal mining and the challenges it poses for mine land rehabilitation.
I was impressed by the well-managed mine sites, with strict safety protocols and efforts to conserve mine land through revegetation and wetland preservation.
Overall, the region served as a perfect base for understanding and witnessing an ongoing transition and the impacts and opportunities that stem from it.
It was interesting to be part of a community deeply tied to coal, which continues to witness change: from the privatisation of coal industries a decade back, to the Hazelwood mine fire and the subsequent closure of Hazelwood, to upcoming closures – and yet retain hope for new opportunities sprouting in the region.
Attending a study session on Mine land rehabilitation with the University of Third Age (U3A) organised by MLRA.
Visit to the Yallourn mine and power plant with Dr. Jessica Reeves.
As a researcher studying community impacts and just transitions with a focus on India, my time in Latrobe provided unique insights. Known for its rich coal history, the region offered a real-time view of an energy transition unfolding. I was able to be part of diverse conversations about mine closure planning, land rehabilitation, community wellbeing and economic diversification, which have informed how I approach my research on transitions in India.
I was also able to sense a cautious optimism across the community about the potential promise of new energy developments, including offshore wind, solar, and geothermal.
Organisations such as the Department of Energy, Environment, and Climate Action (DEECA), Energy Australia, the MLRA and the Gunai Kurnai Lands and Water Aboriginal Corporation (GLAWAC) are spearheading a variety of initiatives to support the Valley’s transition: community engagement, policy formulation for fair closures and negotiation for communities’ rights.
The region exemplifies strength and community resilience in the face of significant transitional ruptures, and an ongoing aspiration to ensure the change is fair for all stakeholders. While navigating a just transition remains a long and windy road, the commitment I felt from within the region’s communities and organisations is inspiring.
Ultimately, my time in the Latrobe Valley was an immensely rewarding experience, enhancing my understanding of transitions out of fossil fuel, and equipping me with practical skills for my professional growth.
Beyond personal development, my research findings hold significant potential to benefit the Latrobe Valley by contributing to research-based approaches for fostering economic diversification, social resilience, and community well-being in a post-coal economy.
In the coming months, I will organise and synthesise my data into an academic paper and an executive summary tailored for the Latrobe Valley’s stakeholders and community.
These outputs will provide:
- actionable insights for managing transitions fairly, ensuring regional priorities and community concerns are reflected in future planning; and
- a comparative analysis of shared learnings between India and Australia.
I extend my gratitude to CRC TiME, especially Professor Tom Measham and his team for their support for my research.
I also want to thank my advisors, Dr. Vigya Sharma at The University of Queensland and Dr. Rohit Chandra at the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, for their constant support, encouragement, and guidance.
A special thanks to my hosts, Dr. Jessica Reeves for her invaluable networking and support and to MRLA’s Dr. Jen Brereton, Rosemary Joiner and the entire team for their generous assistance and insights throughout.