Bold plan to turn Latrobe Valley’s coal mines into tourist attraction

Luxurious spas and express one-hour train services are part of an ambitious plan to turn old coal mines in the Latrobe Valley into a tourist mecca similar to Italy’s exclusive Lake Como — but just how realistic are the plans?

The Latrobe Valley’s coal mines could be filled with water and turned into a tourist attraction to rival Italy’s exclusive Lake Como under an ambitious state government plan.

A long-term vision for the region also floats the creation of luxurious geothermal spas and a Barossa Valley-style food and wine industry, connected to Melbourne with an express one-hour train service.

The plan to attract tourists from all over the world centres on the rehabilitation of the Hazelwood, Loy Yang and Yallourn coal mines, with locals suggesting they could be turned into the Latrobe Valley’s version of the UK’s Lake District or the Great Lakes in the US.

The famous Lake Como in Lombardy, Italy.

Yallourn open cut coal mine in the Latrobe Valley.

The “draft preliminary land use vision”, released this week, suggests “expansive rejuvenation of landscapes and waterways” could also help the area compare to Lake Como, where Hollywood blockbusters Casino Royale and Ocean’s Twelve were filmed.

“Such an opportunity may arise if recreational lakes are feasible,” it said.

“Water availability, water quality and geophysical need for a filled mine void will all influence the potential for this opportunity to be realised in one, two, three or none of the rehabilitated pits.”

The document stems from consultation over the last two years with Latrobe Valley residents, students, councils, businesses and government agencies.

Italy’s exclusive Lake Como.

The coal mine at Hazelwood power station. Picture: Richard Cisar-Wright

In it, the government “acknowledges that the Yallourn and Loy Yang power stations will continue to play important roles in providing power supply into the future”.

But speculation is mounting that the coal-fired stations may shut down before their expected closure dates — 2032 for Yallourn and 2048 for Loy Yang — and the report acknowledged the timing “will depend on a range of major environmental and economic factors”.

“While there may be a sense of loss and uncertainty with the closure of these power supply facilities, opportunities for new power-generating technologies and renewable energy can emerge from the transition,” it said.

The report, designed to provide “guiding directions for future land use and development”, suggests that by 2080, the Latrobe Valley will be “nationally and internationally recognised as a unique and distinctive place”.

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Tourism is expected to be a key part of the region’s future, with new walking and cycling trials through “biodiversity corridors” full of flora and fauna.

Established towns would become bases for visitors wanting to enjoy the region’s food and wine, similar to the Yarra Valley and Mornington Peninsula, while creative arts and sporting events would also be boosted.

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