A guide to leading practice sustainable development in mining

The Morwell River Diversion project guarantees the life of TRUenergy Yallourn’s mine
for at least 30 more years by providing short and long-term accessibility to critical
coal reserves thereby ensuring continued supply of a major portion of the Victorian
and national electricity supply. The following economic, social and environmental
outcomes were achieved:
Works on the diversion provided more than 150 construction
jobs over the period 2001 to 2005 inclusive.
Without the diversion, the cost of electricity generation
would have significantly increased.
Under the Native Title Agreement established, a number of local
Aboriginal elders were engaged as cultural observers.
The diversion has delivered significant environmental improvements,
compared with the original design, including retaining two kilometres
of original river flood plain and ephemeral wetlands.
Figure 3.6 – Construction of the Morwell River diversion
A GUIDE TO LEADING PRACTICE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN MINING 85