The Victorian Government is spearheading an initiative that aims to rehabilitate and revitalise land formerly used in mining operations in the Latrobe Valley.
The plan will support the collection, storage and propagation of native seeds that will be used to revitalise former mining land.
The establishment of the seed bank will be coordinated by the Mine Land Rehabilitation Authority (MLRA) in partnership with the Gunaikurnai Land and Waters Aboriginal Corp. and local Gippsland native nursery contractor Habitat Creations.
To help improve the planning and delivery of mine rehabilitation in the Latrobe Valley, the MLRA will also partner with the Cooperative Research Centre for Transformations in Mining Economies to explore solutions to economic challenges as the region transitions away from coal energy generation.
The initiative will help support the future demand for seeds to be planted on former mining land, which can be met using locally sourced and native flora to protect Gunaikurnai cultural land values.
The State Government is also looking to invest approximately $1.1 million in grants to Traditional Owners from across Victoria to address issues related to climate change.
The Traditional Owner Climate Action grants are for 11 Traditional Owner Corporations to build their own capacity and meet a variety of on-ground needs to support climate action.
Minister for Energy and Resources Lily D’Ambrosio said the initiatives show that the MLRA is involved in the rehabilitation of the Latrobe Valley’s mines and is working to ensure the best future outcomes for the region.
“The Gippsland native flora seed collection project will ensure the future demand for trees to be planted across former mining land can be met and Gunaikurnai cultural land values protected,” Minister D’Ambrosio said.
Meanwhile, Member for Eastern Victoria Harriet Shing said the work to rehabilitate the mine sites enables the Government to work with Gunaikurnai communities and businesses to ensure that the transition to future landscapes is conducted with best practices in mind.
