Sustainability and Environment

Latrobe 2026 expresses the community’s vision for Latrobe City, including that ‘In 2026, Latrobe Valley enjoys a beautiful natural environment that is managed and protected with respect to ensure a lasting legacy for future generations.’

Latrobe Valley enjoys one of Victoria’s most beautiful environments rich in natural resources such as forests, fertile land, water, natural gas and brown coal.

Arguably the most valuable of all natural resources is air. Predominantly, air pollution comes from industry, motor vehicles and domestic wood burning. Natural sources of air pollution include wind-blown dust and bushfire smoke. In recent years the greatest impact on Latrobe Valley’s air quality has been from bushfires and fuel reduction burning. However ongoing air monitoring shows that Latrobe Valley’s air is less polluted than Melbourne’s.

It is understood the issue of climate change needs to be recognised and addressed. Protection of the environment by reducing the level of air pollution, including greenhouse gas emissions will be supported in the Latrobe Valley with a transition to cleaner technologies, and greater awareness and opportunity for environmentally friendly initiatives.

While there are a number of areas of natural bush in close proximity to Latrobe Valley, retention and responsible management of remnant native vegetation together with regeneration is critical to preserve and enhance land and water health and conserve biodiversity.

Latrobe Valley sits within the Latrobe Catchment Ecosystem. The rivers throughout the area are considered to be in moderate health however the health of the Latrobe River fluctuates in different areas. The continued protection and enhancement of our river health, water quality and environmental flows and wetland habitats are imperative for the responsible management and long-term sustainability of our water resources in the region.