finally there might be some light , page-75

Also interesting to note that the Govt. has started to address the infrastructure issues.

Article is from the Latrobe Valley Express

Transport plan to drive Valley job growth
BY SHAUN MALLIA
5/06/2008 11:47:00 AM
LATROBE Valley's rapidly growing clean coal industry has helped instigate a $100,000 study to identify future transport infrastructure improvements.
The State Government will provide the funding to the newly formed Gippsland Resource Infrastructure Development (GRID) organisation to help undertake the study.

The study will examine potential road, rail, pipeline and ports development projects needed to ensure the region is well-equipped to drive industry growth and expansion.

Victorian Premier John Brumby made the announcement during a visit to the Latrobe Valley on Tuesday.

Mr Brumby said investing in the Valley's brown coal industry would create more jobs.

``Our government has invested more than $244 million in clean coal projects since 2002, including $127.4 million in the 2008/09 State Budget to help position Victoria's coal industry as one of the cleanest in the world and to drive jobs in the Latrobe Valley,'' Mr Brumby said.

``We are taking action to ensure Victoria can continue using its world-class brown coal and gas resource to generate affordable and reliable energy and to capitalise on emerging markets and opportunities.

``Having efficient and affordable transport in and out of the Latrobe Valley is central to the region's success in getting new clean coal technology developments off the ground.''

He said the study would take the lead in identifying and assessing new infrastructure projects.

It is expected GRID will complete the study this year.

GRID comprises representatives from Latrobe Valley power generators, Monash Energy and other organisations with significant energy interests in the region.

Regional and Rural Development Minister Jacinta Allan said the study would provide valuable input into the Brumby Government's planning for the Latrobe Valley's future infrastructure needs.

``Our government has invested record levels in leveraging investment and job growth from the Latrobe Valley's brown coal and we are ensuring the Valley is positioned to generate not just power but jobs and growth into the future,'' Ms Allan said.

``New projects in the Latrobe Valley utilising Victoria's brown coal resources face a number of infrastructure challenges such as transporting large-scale modular plants and equipment to the region and getting export products to market.

``The Latrobe Valley has been Victoria's powerhouse for more than 75 years, providing reliable low-cost power for Victorians, boosting the state's economy and providing significant employment.''

Ms Allan added the government would continue planning and investing in the Latrobe Valley to ensure it continued to be the powerhouse of Victoria.

Improved transport passages will also assist with the construction of the $2 billion Latrobe Urea Project which was also announced on Tuesday.

Large-scale modular plants for the project will be transported from China and Germany to be assembled next to the Loy Yang A Power Station.