Hazelwood Rehabilitation Project Inquiry and Advisory Committee

Overview

The Minister for Planning (the Minster) will appoint a joint Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC) to consider and advise on the environmental effects of the proposed works for the Hazelwood Rehabilitation Project (the Project). The IAC is an independent group of experts tasked with this assessment.

The project proposes to rehabilitate the former Hazelwood Mine and Power Station to a safe, stable, sustainable and non-polluting site the enables productive future uses. The former Hazelwood Power Station and Mine is located in the Latrobe Valley, immediately south of the township of Morwell, approximately 150 kilometres east of Melbourne.

The key components of the project include:

• Filling the mine void to create a lake using predominately groundwater, surface water and any other approved water sources to a relative level (RL) of +45 metres Australian Height Datum (AHD) with a depth of up to 120 metres and covering an area of 1,145 hectares
• Earthworks to rehabilitate, stabilise and reshape landforms, primarily upper mine batters where they are above the level of the future pit lake, to geotechnically stable landforms with adequate stabilising vegetation and drainage
• Decommissioning, draining and rehabilitation of the Hazelwood Cooling Pond (HCP) to be suitable for alternative uses and restoration of the natural alignment of Eel Hole Creek
• Decommissioning remaining redundant infrastructure, such as roads, car parks, buildings, fire protection pipelines and infrastructure above RL +45m AHD and pumphouses on the Hazelwood Cooling Pond; and
• Construction and operation of infrastructure necessary to maintain lake depth and water quality, including an option for occasional flood flows from the Morwell River.

The project proposes a target mine filling period of between 10 and 20 years.

ENGIE Hazelwood is the Proponent.

The IAC will:

• Review the Environment Effects Statement (EES) and draft Planning Scheme Amendment (PSA) C159latr to the Latrobe Planning Scheme and public submissions
• Hold a public hearing to hear from the Proponent and submitters who want to speak to their written submission
• Provide advice to the Minister about the environmental effects of the project and the draft PSA

Inquiry and advisory committee members

• Sarah Carlisle (Chair)
• Penelope Smith (Deputy Chair)
• Peter Bettess
• Jack Krohn
• Deb Neumann

Documents

You may view and download the exhibited EES, draft PSA, EPA development licence application and any relevant documents at Proponent’s webpage.

Make a submission

Submissions to the Committee can be made at Engage Victoria.

Make a submission

Need help putting together a submission?

Read our guide about submissions. The Guide to Presenting at an EES Hearing at Planning Panels Victoria also provides general information about EES Hearings and what to expect.

Legal Assistance Pilot Program

The Legal Assistance Service is a new 12-month pilot program for PPV hearings, offering no-cost or low-cost legal assistance to eligible submitters. The options for legal assistance can range from preliminary advice, review of documents and assistance with preparing submissions, and representation at a hearing. The scope of assistance and fee arrangements will be discussed directly with the barristers who will be engaged by direct brief.  Foley’s List is facilitating the pilot program.

The Legal Assistance Service aims to assist eligible participants in PPV processes. Foley’s List will discuss next steps directly with those who submit an enquiry form. Further information can be found on our Legal Assistance Service webpage.

More information

To find out more about the Hazelwood Rehabilitation Project, the EES, and the draft PSA, contact:
ENGIE Hazelwood (Proponent)

Phone: (03) 5135 5000
Email: hazelwood.au@engie.com
Website: www.hazelwoodrehabilitation.com.au/engie/hazelwood/environment-effects-statement

For more information about the Minister's Assessment and EES process contact:
Impact Assessment Unit
Department of Transport and Planning

Phone: (03) 8572 7980
Email: environment.assessment@transport.vic.gov.au

Accessibility and assistance

Deaf, hearing or speech impaired? Please contact the National Relay Service on 133 677 or www.relayservice.gov.au

Page last updated: 21/09/26