Terms of our application
The conditional amount of water we have sought to use each year under a new BWE for rehabilitation is a maximum volume of 35.8 GL. This figure is the total of the historical average annual volume of water used for power generation at the two power stations (Loy Yang A and Loy Yang B) sourcing coal from the Loy Yang mine.
We have taken advice from Government reports that highlight how we can minimise impacts on other water users and the environmental health of the Latrobe river system.
These principles are set out in the Latrobe Valley Regional Rehabilitation Strategy (LVRRS) for good stewardship of the Latrobe River system.
Placing conditions on access to water for mine rehabilitation links water availability to climate conditions, and helps ensure that any surface water accessed for mine rehabilitation will not diminish the water entitlements of existing users and values.
The specific conditions for our application to help maintain the health of the river system include:
- The taking of water would be restricted to the wettest months in each year (June to November);
- A threshold will be in place to prevent the diversion of winter-spring baseflow in the Latrobe River;
- A limit will be in place on annual releases from Blue Rock Reservoir; and
- Surface water would be available for mine rehabilitation purposes for a period of up to 30 years from the initial supply date (which AGL intends to be from 30 June 2035 onwards, following the closure of the LYA PS) or until 2065, whichever is earlier
Applications relating to our rehabilitation plans are now live for public comment, closing 15 December 2024:
https://engage.vic.gov.au/potential-water-access-for-latrobe-mine-rehabilitation
Public drop-in information sessions
We are running public drop-in information sessions as we plan to remediate the Loy Yang mine after the closure of Loy Yang A power station in 2035.
Our upcoming information sessions are:
