Re-defining the role of government agencies in community transition — The Latrobe Valley Authority, a case study

The Latrobe Valley and broader Gippsland region in Victoria, Australia is facing a period of significant change on a number of fronts including changes associated with energy generation and a move away from coal fired power, climatic conditions including drought and bushfire impact as well as the broader global impacts of automation and digitisation of the economy.

Whilst this period presents significant challenges it is also a great opportunity to create long term prosperity for this region by building on existing strengths, ensuring sustainable employment pathways, and strengthening inclusion and vibrancy in our local communities.

The Latrobe Valley Authority is leading the transition of the Latrobe Valley economy and community through long-term work that continues the efforts of many people in the Latrobe Valley community. Through genuine collaboration important decision are being made now and for the future that will benefit all members of the community. On the ground, this collective work has already resulted in more than 2,500 new jobs and helped generate more than $99 million of private investment in the Latrobe Valley. These results were reflected in the September 2019 Latrobe-Gippsland unemployment rate falling by 2.5 percentage points since September 2016, with an additional 11,200 people in employment across the region. However, jobs figures are just part of the story. For true sustainable change, work on innovative projects that create long term investment and a vibrant and liveable Latrobe Valley, while ensuring everybody in our community benefits is critical. We want to ensure that pride and confidence in our future continues to grow and that we have the best conditions to grow our people and economy. With so much work underway it’s an exciting time to be in the Latrobe Valley.

We need to build on and support necessary and ongoing transition activities with system-wide structural change that will transform our economy and society and result in greater innovation and future resilience.

Regions around the world that are doing this really well build their futures based on collaboration and innovation across all levels of their ‘communities’ where collective benefit outweighs the individual and where cooperation and competition go together.

Building a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing will be key to future-proofing our economy. It will enable innovation, adaptation and diversification in Gippsland’s economy, which in turn will deliver the system wide change we are seeking.

Whilst change inevitably creates uncertainty, by working together we can ensure we draw on the knowledge, experience and potential of our community and work to ensure benefit to all.

By continuing to listen, learn and understand what matters locally and from other places and people our ability to collaborate and innovate will grow.