WHO WE ARE
Friends of Latrobe Water (FLoW) is a group of community members advocating for best-practice rehabilitation of Latrobe Valley coal mines.
Members come together from across Gippsland with a shared understanding that the decisions made today regarding the legacy of these sites hold great significance when it comes to the future prosperity, water security and livability of our region as whole.
We envisage a strong and robust community who are united in the process of regional transition and rehabilitation of the landscape, a place where no-one gets left behind, and the changes we make are shaped around the needs of the people and our local environment.
Formed in March 2020 with the specific intent to ensure transparent information is provided to the community, and government departments, agencies and mine operators are accountable for their actions and obligations.
Our primary focus is to improve the health of the Latrobe River system and prevent further environmental degradation of the whole river system through to the Gippsland Lakes. We see the rehabilitation process as an opportunity to do this.
WE AIM TO:
- Protect and advocate for the Latrobe Valley’s water sources and connected waterways.
- Protect and advocate for the protection of the Gippsland Lakes and Latrobe Valley waters from brown coal activities including mining activities, mine rehabilitation activities and coal ash contamination.
- Inform, educate and support the Latrobe Valley and broader Gippsland community to take action on water-related issues in the Latrobe Valley and Gippsland Lakes.
- Advocate for and facilitate a just transition in the Latrobe Valley that centers the needs of the local community, not big corporations, and the intrinsic value and rights of the ecosystems and services that these ecosystems provide.
- Inspire and facilitate the development of community advocacy for a just transition.
