Valley misses out

Age
Wednesday 16/12/2009 Page: 18

ARTICLES on the Latrobe Valley (Insight, 12/12, The Age, 14/12) show the fallacy of assuming the valley's communities are almost totally dependent on coal-based industries. I hope Peter Batchelor takes note, as he so often sounds like a captive of the coal industry.

Supporters of Bald Hills and other wind farms in South Gippsland advocated manufacture of turbine components in the Latrobe Valley. How sad that the vociferous and destructive anti-turbines campaign got so much help and encouragement from the Nationals, assisted by Latrobe Valley elements as well as the member for McMillan, Russell Broadbent.

The result? Full speed ahead for windfarm permits in the Western District, and turbine manufacturing in Portland.

Wilma Western, Leongatha