Lily D'Ambrosio

Victoria’s largest solar farm is now fully operational and powering Melbourne’s tram network, thanks to support from the Andrews Labor Government. Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio today official opened Neoen’s 128 megawatt (MW) Numurkah Solar Farm, which received funding under the Labor Government’s Solar Trams Initiative. The Numurkah Solar Farm is one of two solar farms supplying 100 per cent renewable energy to offset Melbourne’s entire tram network. The facility will generate approximately 255,000 megawatt hours of clean, renewable electricity into the national power grid each year. The Renewable Certificate Purchasing Initiative and Solar Trams Initiative have brought forward construction of around 350 MW of new solar and wind capacity – leveraging around $720 million in capital expenditure and creating 755 construction jobs and 33 ongoing jobs, all in regional Victoria. With the initial support secured from the Government, Neoen has secured a 15-year deal with SIMEC ZEN to help power the Laverton Steelworks, taking the initial project size from 34 MW to 128 MW DC/100 MW AC. The emissions reduction delivered by this solar farm will be the equivalent of taking 75,000 cars off the road or planting 390,000 trees. The Labor Government is increasing Victoria’s Renewable Energy Target to 50 per cent by 2030 – putting more clean energy into the grid, increasing investment and driving down energy prices. It is expected that achieving the VRET 2025 target of 40 per cent alone will drive around $7.2 billion of investment and create more than 10,000 jobs, as we boost the amount of energy generated by renewable sources. Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio “This is Victoria’s largest solar farm – we’re proud to have supported a project that has delivered hundreds of jobs in regional Victoria.”  “The Numurkah Solar Farm will play an important role in supporting the transformation of our energy system towards clean, renewable energy and reaching our renewable energy target of 50 per cent by 2030.” Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport Melissa Horne “Victoria’s largest solar farm is now ready to power the world’s biggest tram network – helping reduce greenhouse emissions and boost jobs in regional Victoria.”  Quote attributable to Neoen Australia Managing Director Louis de Sambucy “The Numurkah Solar Farm is a significant milestone for Neoen, one that could not have been achieved without the support of the Victorian Government. As the biggest solar farm in Victoria, it will deliver enormous benefit as it powers transport, industry and more.”

Community groups working to protect Victoria’s coastline will benefit from a $260,000 funding boost thanks to the Andrews Labor Government. The 2019 Coastcare Community Grants Program has funded 28 community groups – supporting the conservation, restoration and rehabilitation of coastal and marine environments along Victoria’s 2000km of coastline. The Program helps deliver small scale community projects in coastal areas, building environmental and community resilience in a changing environment. Grant recipients include: Bellarine Bayside Foreshore Committee of Management Beach Patrol 3280 Victorian National Parks Association Friends of Flinders Coastline Inc Harmers Haven Residents and Ratepayers Group: Friends of Harmers Friends of the Prom Inc. The Program is supporting the Victorian National Parks Association’s Great Victorian Fish Count, which is the largest marine citizen science event in Victoria, with 750 divers and snorkelers recording fish sightings along Victoria’s coastline in 2018. Established in 1995, Coastcare Victoria works with hundreds of community groups to look after Victoria’s precious coastal assets, and to foster positive community attitudes towards marine and coastal environments. For a full list of successful recipients, visit delwp.vic.gov.au/coastcare. Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio “Victorians love the state’s coastline – we want to ensure our precious and unique coastal environments can be enjoyed by future generations.”  “We know how dedicated volunteer groups are across Victoria in helping protect our spectacular coastline.” “The Coastcare Community Grants will help volunteer groups maintain our coast through revegetation, monitoring native shorebirds and animals, and protecting cultural sites.”

A new recycling facility in Melbourne’s west will process 39,000 tonnes of recycled paper a year, thanks to a funding boost from the Andrews Labor Government. Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio today launched Australian Paper Recovery’s $2.5 million paper sorting facility in Truganina. The Labor Government provided $475,000 in funding to the project, with the facility providing full grade separation of kerbside and commercial mixed paper and cardboard. The high quality sorted, and graded paper is reprocessed locally and recycled into valuable products such as newspaper and packaging. The facility has also expanded operations to accept additional materials from regional and metropolitan kerbside recycling, including plastics and metals, further increasing recycling capability here in Victoria. The new facility will create six new jobs and will help work towards developing a circular economy in Victoria. The project has been supported by the Government’s $2.6 million Recycling Industry Transition Support Fund, which is helping transition Victoria’s resource recovery and reprocessing industry after the collapse of the export market to China. The Victorian Budget 2019/20 is investing $35 million to strengthen and diversify Victoria’s waste and recycling industry. This latest package builds on the $37 million Recycling Industry Strategic Plan – bringing the Labor Government’s investment in the waste and resource recovery industry to more than $135 million. The Circular Economy Policy issues paper is now open for consultation until 2 August 2019 at engage.vic.gov.au/circulareconomy. Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio “Facilities like these are a crucial part of reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill – it’s fantastic to see Australian Paper expand their operations to accept more materials.” “A circular economy will not only improve Victoria’s waste and recycling systems – it will support local businesses and create local jobs here in Victoria.” Quote attributable to Member for Tarneit Sarah Connolly “This new facility is delivering local jobs and makes an important contribution to tackling the challenges facing our recycling sector.”

The Andrews Labor Government is acting to protect Victoria’s marine and coastal environments. Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio invited Victorians to have their say on a new draft Marine and Coastal Policy. The Policy is a key action under the Marine and Coastal Act 2018 and will guide decision makers in the planning, management and sustainable use of our coastal and marine environments. Victoria has more than 2,500 kilometres of coastline and about 10,000 square kilometres of marine waters that provide enormous environmental, social and economic value and contribute to our health and wellbeing. The draft Policy sets out how to manage our marine and coastal environment in a sustainable way to help tackle the challenges of climate change and population growth. The Labor Government is also increasing recognition of Traditional Owners’ ongoing connection to Country and their rights and aspirations in managing and using the marine and coastal environments. The Government is preparing the Victorian coast for the climate change challenges ahead through research, policy change and on-ground action – investing more than $60 million into marine and coastal projects since 2014. Public information sessions will be held during July and August, with online consultation open until 15 August 2019. For more information, engagement session details and to have your say on the draft Policy visit engage.vic.gov.au/draft-marine-and-coastal-policy. Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio “We’re protecting our marine and coastal environments for the communities that rely on them every day and the millions of people who visit them every year.” “This engagement process will tap into the rich local knowledge that coastal communities have on these important environments.” “This is about providing a simpler, more integrated approach to planning and managing the marine and coastal environment – to address the key challenges for the next 20 years and beyond.”

The Andrews Labor Government is taking the next step towards developing a circular economy that maximises the reuse of materials and reduces the amount of waste that goes to landfill. Victorians have an opportunity to help make Victoria’s recycling system more resilient and sustainable with the release of an issues paper on the Circular Economy Policy for public comment today. The implementation of a Circular Economy Policy will deliver new opportunities for industry and more jobs in Victoria. Through the Policy, Victoria will transition from the traditional linear model of consumption to a circular model that continually seeks to minimise the use of natural resources. The Policy will build on the Government’s continued investment in the waste and resource recovery initiatives and responds to global recycling challenges. The Victorian Budget 2019/20 is investing $35 million to strengthen and diversify Victoria’s waste and recycling industry. This latest package builds on the $37 million Recycling Industry Strategic Plan – bringing the Labor Government’s investment in the waste and resource recovery industry to more than $135 million. The Circular Economy Policy issues paper is open for consultation until 2 August 2019 at engage.vic.gov.au/circulareconomy. Quotes attributable to the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio “We’re transforming the way we think about waste and resource recovery – developing a circular economy will deliver better environmental, social and economic results for Victoria.” “A circular economy will not only improve Victoria’s waste and recycling systems – it will support local businesses and create local jobs here in Victoria. “I encourage Victorians to have their say on this important issue as we work towards a final policy in 2020.”

A favourite location in the Great Otway National Park has had a makeover thanks to the Andrews Labor Government with visitors now able to enjoy upgraded facilities at Melba Gully. A refurbished BBQ area and picnic shelter is available for visitors to take a break and relax as they explore some of Victoria’s most lush rainforest locations With those works now complete, the Labor Government is getting on with the second stage of its $2.5 million investment package to improve visitor facilities in the National Park. Maits Rest, which attracts more than 150,000 visitors a year, will see upgrades to the entire 800 metres of its trail introducing larger platforms that invite visitors to gather and share experiences. The infrastructure is designed to better protect the forest systems through raised platforms, keeping visitors on trails and providing corridors for native animals to move through the forest safely. Maits Rest will close from Monday 8 July until November while the works are being completed. In the meantime, visitors can continue to be impressed by Melba Gully’s rainforest walk and attractions including the famed glow worms and the Otway Black Snail, endemic to the region and one of five carnivorous snails in Australia. Stretching from Anglesea to Princetown and up through the Otways hinterland, the 100,000-hectare Great Otway National Park is one of Victoria’s largest and most important environmental and tourism locations. Quotes attributable to Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change Lily D’Ambrosio  “These investments in the Great Otway National Park ensure some of Victoria’s most precious natural treasures are cared for and protected while providing an immersive and enjoyable visitor experience.” “We are committed to protecting biodiversity while supporting local business and communities through nature-based tourism.” Quote attributable to Member for Western Victoria Gayle Tierney “It’s great to see the first set of works completed, this project will ensure the Great Otway National Park remains an enjoyable tourism destination for many years to come.”