News and Media Releases

It was the Government’s approved the construction of a railway line from Melbourne to Sale in 1873 that led to the development of the township of Morwell, with the first public sale of land taking place in January 1879 prior to the opening of the railway line in April of that year.   At this time there were around ten traders operating in the town, with a brickworks, pottery, butter factory, schools and cordial factory established in the following twenty years.

The Shire of Morwell was formed in 1892.  Following fires in the commercial area in both 1890 and 1912, the Morwell Waterworks Trust was formed and in December 1913 a town water supply from Billy's Creek was connected.

Morwell’s development was further fostered following the establishment of the Yallourn open cut mine and power station in the 1920s and the opening of the Maryvale Paper Mill in 1937, all of which provided Morwell with opportunities for employment and trade.

The State Electricity Commission of Victoria (SECV) commenced work on the Morwell power station and briquette works in 1949 with production at the plant starting in 1956, which provided briquettes for domestic and industrial use, including in the production of Town Gas for Melbourne at an adjacent gasworks built by the by the Gas and Fuel Corporation of Victoria.

Further development by the SECV at Hazelwood strengthened Morwell’s economy, which underwent subsequent retraction in the 1980’s and 1990’s with subsequent electricity industry restructuring and privatisation.

Competitive Advantages

Morwell has a number of competitive advantages that include affordable housing, well, developed infrastructure, a broad range of business activities and highly skilled workforce.  It has a vast array of social, sporting, cultural and educational facilities, which when combined with an affordable and high quality lifestyle, make Morwell not only a great place for business, but a great place to live.

Morwell is located in the centre of the Latrobe City, the key industrial and commercial area of Gippsland in Eastern Victoria, and has an extensive and well-established range of services and infrastructure.  Morwell’s central locality (which provides the best location for servicing the Latrobe Region) and transport connections, such as Latrobe Regional Airport and the Gippsland Rail Corridor, make Morwell the ideal location for decentralised industry or commercial activities.

Morwell is well serviced by retail businesses both in central Morwell and at Mid Valley.  It has an eight theatre cinema complex, excellent swimming and leisure centre and high level soccer, football and cricket facilities.

Overview

2022 marked the 25th year of operation of Advance Morwell and tonight we recognise another year of serving the Morwell and Latrobe City community.

This year has been a challenging one for Advance Morwell.  The unexpected loss of our long serving and highly respected Chair, John Guy OAM, was keenly felt by the Committee.  

John’s contribution to Advance Morwell was significant and like all his other commitments, demonstrated his passion for the town, its people and organisations, along with his willingness to serve.  

Despite many health issues over the years, John continued in the role of Chair representing and guiding Advance Morwell as we responded to a changing range of issues.  

It is largely due to John’s sound stewardship that Advance Morwell has been able to continue to represent the interests of our traders and townspeople.

Committee

Again, this year we experienced the challenge of obtaining suitable Committee Members who are willing to assume Executive Roles. This situation continues, as we are still seeking new committee members to help drive and represent the organisation.

While we have not had the luxury of a full committee, those members who have continued to actively support the delivery of our efforts must be recognised.  Those Committee Members include Graeme Sennett, Acting Chair and Secretary; Shashi Bhatti, Treasurer; Howard Williams, Membership Officer: David McInnes; Community Relations and David Burt, Business Relations.

It must be noted that in October, our Treasurer, Shashi Bhatti, experienced a significant motorcycle accident resulting in his being hospitalised for some time.  Despite this, he continued to undertake the role of Treasurer and we thank him for his diligence during this difficult time.

The Advance Morwell Committee meets monthly at the Morwell Bowling Club and we acknowledge the management and staff of the for their generosity in providing a venue for our meetings.

Business Sector

With changes in local business ownership, the Advance Morwell Traders Group became inactive some time ago.  The Committee has discussed reinvigorating this group and has made initial overtures to some local traders to assess interest.

Membership

Our membership base remains relatively steady.  We recognise and appreciate all our longstanding members and those who have joined more recently in supporting us to advocate for Morwell & Latrobe City. 

ANZAC Day

We again participated in Anzac Day, laying a wreath in remembrance of those  Morwell Residents who have served their country in times of conflict.

Representation

We continue to lobby both the Latrobe City Council and State Governments on issues affecting Morwell, Latrobe City and Gippsland. We have met with our Morwell Council representatives and have had continued contact with Morwell Councilors and our Member for Morwell Martin Cameron.

John Guy and Howard Williams continued to represent Advance Morwell on the Community Recovery Committee which was formed at the time of the Hazelwood Mine Fire and has continued over the years since.  An Emergency Plan for Morwell is the last remaining objective to be delivered.

Howard Williams is Advance Morwell’s representative on the Energy Australia Yallourn Environmental review Commitee, and we thank Howard for this work.

Advance Morwell was also represented on the International Rose Festival Committee.

Advance Morwell supported the establishment of the Latrobe City Business Chamber(LCBC) and through ongoing discussions organised 2022/23 honorary LCBC membership for all our business members.  We are awaiting a response to our proposal for continuing joint membership for our business members. 

We have continued to maintain a close relationship with Energy Australia through David Burt to ensure we have current knowledge of their plans for closure, new developments, and rehabilitation.

Mine Rehabilitation

We maintain an active interest in the management of Hazelwood Mine Rehabilitation Works.  Advance Morwell continues to monitor and be involved in discussions on the Mine rehabilitation as it progresses.

Latrobe Valley Authority, Transition Plan

The Advance Morwell Committee has maintained an ongoing interest in the Latrobe Valley Authority’s Transition Plan, hearing from LVA CEO, Chris Buckingham who advised that in developing the plan, the LVA has engaged with the community, factored in recent industrial developments and other international experiences.   Advance Morwell will continue to monitor developments.

Committee for Gippsland 

We have continued our membership of the Committee for Gippsland, utilising this relationship to lobby on regional issues such as the delivery of the Traralgon Bypass which is essential for the future of the transport industry in Gippsland.

Gippsland Rail Revival

It has been pleasing to see the continued progress of the Regional Rail Revival works.   

The location of the new Morwell platform is a direct result of lobbying undertaken by Advance Morwell in the early planning stages of this project. 

Initial plans impacted parking and Legacy Place, while providing a suboptimal arrival experience for rail patrons.  The offset platform arrangement as proposed by Advance Morwell overcame these issues and provided additional access from the Bus Terminal to facilitate intermodal transfers.

We continue to lobby for the completion of remedial works and reinstatement of town assets following construction.

Car Parking

For over five years, Advance Morwell been actively lobbying for improved car parking in Morwell.  

Over the past 12 months it has been pleasing to see the delivery of new car parking at Morwell Train Station, and in particular, on the site of the former Ampol petrol station and garage.  

Despite much resistance, we continued to lobby the Minister for this site to be developed as we felt it provided easy access to the station and in its undeveloped states marred the visual amenity of the railway precinct.

Additionally, the formalisation of car parking on the Commercial Road/Jane Street Bridge corner completes another of Advance Morwell’s requested town improvements – one which we first lobbied for in 2009.

We continue to work with Latrobe City on enhancing parking in the Morwell CBD

Community Support

Advance Morwell was pleased to support the Morwell Centenary Rose Garden with a significant donation of $8,000 to support their publication of a history of the rose garden.  The 100 plus page soft cover coffee table book is a credit to the writers and designers and we are pleased to have been able to support this initiative which catalogues the creation and development of one of Morwell’s most valuable assets.

Advance Morwell also donated $300 to 1st Morwell Scout Group in support of their 100th birthday celebration in December 2022 (deferred from 2021 due to COVID).  As one of the town’s oldest community organisations, it is important that this notable achievement was recognised.

Relocation of Musical Instruments

In November 2016, Advance Morwell organised for Morwell’s Legacy Place to become the home to three outdoor musical instruments.  Unfortunately, in July 2019 one of these items (valued at $7,000) was stolen.  This item was eventually recovered by police in 2022, following which Advance Morwell worked with Latrobe City to relocate this item and the remaining instruments to Town Common playground.  

Christmas Promotion

Advance Morwell organised a Christmas promotion held from Friday 16th to Friday 23rd December 2022, with six cafes participating.  Funded in part by the Latrobe City Christmas Grant, each café was provided with 50 coffees to give away and a music session provided by local guitarist James Harbor and vocalist Shanyn.  Feedback on the initiative was extremely positive, with additional café’s contacting Advance Morwell to participate.

In addition to contributing $1,000 from our own funds, Advance Morwell also utilised some of the Latrobe City Christmas Grant to support Rotary Community Fun Day providing Traffic Management, First Aid, Signage, ATM Hire and a mobile farm.

Member event

Advance Morwell worked with nbnLocal to organise a NBN information evening for members to be held in July 2022.  This was an education session, providing details on the nbn support services that are available for small business and residents.  While attendance was not as strong as hoped, feedback on the information provided was positive.

Website and Branding

 As part of a broader renewal plan, the Committee agreed to complete a branding refresh and update of the Advance Morwell website.  Work on these activities commenced in July 2023.

Supported by Latrobe City’s Christmas Festivity Grant, Advance Morwell has been spreading some Christmas spirit in the Morwell CBD. 

On Friday 15th December the Morwell Citizens Band brightened the afternoon, with Christmas music in Commercial Road outside of Manny’s Market.

On Saturday 16th the music continued with free face painting outside of Subway and Santa was roving Commercial Road.

Facebook posts encouraged Morwell shoppers to come along and join in the Christmas spirit and support their local traders.

Supported by Latrobe City’s Christmas Festivity Grant, Advance Morwell partnered with several Morwell cafes to share the Christmas Spirit!

Morwell shoppers were encouraged to get up early, get your coffee and get set to shop at their local traders!  With 50 customers at each café receiving a free regular coffee. 

Advance Morwell thanks participating café’s Peachy Coffee House, Claudias Café, and Café Qu Bah for their support in this Christmas promotion.

Local success story Aussie Broadband was awarded the prestigious ‘Hall of Fame’ award at Friday night’s Gippsland Business Awards.

According to Advance Morwell Acting Chair Graeme Sennett, the local business community was thrilled to learn that Aussie Broadband has been recognised this way.

“Aussie Broadband’s success is the result of many years of innovation, courage and determination.” Said Mr Sennett.

“Its success is phenomenal and a great credit to Phil Britt and the whole team, who have taken Aussie Broadband from a small regional internet provider to the fifth largest telco in Australia and also being listed on the Australian Stock Exchange.” He added.

Previously winner of the 2017 Gippsland Business Awards, Business of the Year award, Aussie Broadband was recognised for its growth, contribution to the community, innovative operations, and the support it provides to their employees.

“To see a local organisation be so successful provides a great role model for small business operators.” Said Mr Sennett.

“More importantly, for those in Morwell, it creates a great sense of pride to see a business that was started by a local, grow and prosper, while still maintaining its headquarters in the town.”

“With so many Gippsland residents and business operators having supported Aussie Broadband over the years, it is very rewarding to see them recognised this way.” Said Mr Sennett.

Further Information

For further information contact Graeme Sennett, telephone 0417 509 149

The Morwell CBD has been robbed of its last bank branch, with the National Australia Bank (NAB) recently announcing the closure of its Princes Drive branch. According to Advance Morwell Vice-Chair, Graeme Sennett, the Morwell community is devastated by this latest banking blow.

“Over recent years Morwell residents have slowly seen the closure of all their CBD bank branches, significantly impacting both our business community and those who rely on in-person banking services.” He said. Having been driven to move banks multiple times over recent years, Morwell residents and business people are now facing a real challenge as their last CBD bank branch closes its doors. “Despite the banks’ claims that services are available on-line and that use of over-the-counter services is diminishing, their closure poses a significant threat to Morwell’s economic stability and well-being.” Said Mr Sennett. "Over the years, our local bank branches have provided essential financial services to residents and businesses and their presence has been an integral part of our community, providing economic support, banking and employment opportunities." He added.

According to Advance Morwell, the closure of the CBD banks has disproportionately affected Morwell’s elderly and vulnerable community members who face real difficulties accessing banking services without a local physical branch. Mr Sennett said, “The impact on local businesses, who rely on these banks for day-to-day financial transactions is significant. Morwell traders now incur additional costs, security risks and time wastage as they must travel to Traralgon or Moe to do their banking.” “While we are fortunate to still have a Commonwealth Bank Branch at MidValley, it is difficult to access and requires traders to carry their cash through the shopping centre and car-park; a real safety risk” He added.

As our big banks close branches and chase profits, they are ignoring their social and community obligations, and in their wake, leave towns suffering, with empty shops, job losses and future economic development undermined. Advance Morwell has called on the NAB to reconsider their decision and explore alternative solutions to maintain a presence in our town.

Collaborative efforts are needed to preserve the economic stability of Australia’s small towns and ensure access to essential banking services for residents and businesses everywhere. “It’s time that all levels of government work together to advocate for the retention of these banking services or to seek new and creative ways to address this critical issue.

For further information contact Graeme Sennett.

Supported by Latrobe City’s Christmas Festivity Grant, Advance Morwell has partnered with a number of Morwell cafes to share the Christmas Spirit!

From Friday 16th December, 50 customers at each café will receive a free regular coffee and get to enjoy some entertainment provided by local musicians James and Shanyn.

Advance Morwell thanks participating café’s Peckish Café, 38Forty Café, Claudias Café, Alfresh2go, Café Qu Bah and The Daily Café & Foodstore for their support in this Christmas promotion.

A big thanks also to James and Shanyn for their great music and to Latrobe City for providing the Christmas Festivity Grant.

We wish you all a very Merry Christmas and encourage everyone to shop local in 2023.

Advance Morwell commends the Victorian Parliament’s Economy and Infrastructure Committee for establishing this important Inquiry into the closure of the Hazelwood and Yallourn Power Stations.

The Latrobe Valley in south-east Victoria has a long and proud history of brown coal mining and power generation. Its abundant brown coal resource has powered the region and Victoria for the best part of the last century, providing affordable and reliable electricity and underpinning the state’s economic growth and prosperity.

Increasing renewable energy generation and the urgent need to meet national and international emissions reduction targets, coupled with the ageing nature of the Latrobe Valley’s brown coal-fired power generators will ultimately see the retirement of these assets in the years ahead.

The closure of the Hazelwood Brown Coal Mine and Power Station in March 2017 and the projected closures of EnergyAustralia’s Yallourn and AGL’s Loy Yang assets in 2028 and 2048 respectively present one of the most significant challenges to the Latrobe Valley in its history.

The transition to a carbon-constrained economy will have undeniable impacts to the local economy and community. The safe, secure and well-paying jobs that the sector has provided to generations of

Latrobe Valley families are slowly fading.

There is an urgent need to plan for this transition to ensure that the Latrobe Valley, which has contributed so much to the state’s economic growth, continues to prosper in the decades ahead.

Read the release in full below. 

Parliamentary Inquiry into Closure of Hazelwood and Yallourn Power Stations - Advance Morwell Submission.pdf

Overview

Thank you for your attendance. 

It is always a challenge to get members to attend AGM's.  Last year we tried a breakfast meeting at the new Technical School and this year we have tried to encourage members to attend by providing drinks and nibbles – I think we just have to accept that people generally are not interested in attending Annual meetings.

Our meeting tonight marks the 21st year of operation of Advance Morwell and another year of serving the Morwell and Latrobe city community.

Your committee have continued to meet each month and during the year have changed our meeting venue from the Rose Garden to the Morwell Bowling Cub due to the unavailability of the Rose Garden Meeting Room. We have also changed the date of our meetings from the first Tuesday of the month to the second Tuesday to suit the availability of committee members.

We wish to acknowledge the management and staff of the Morwell Bowling Club for their generosity in providing a venue for our meetings.

I would like to recognize the Committee Members who have served the organisation over the past year -Graeme Sennett Vice President and Minute Secretary; Shashi Bhatti, our Treasurer: Keith Brownbill, Correspondence Secretary; Howard Williams. Membership: Lauren Marks and Matilda Lappin, Business Sector; Bev Lorraine, David McInnes, Jenny Rutherford,

General Meeting of Members

A general Meeting of members was held on Tuesday 25th June – with Guest Karen Cain, CEO Latrobe Valley Authority, who reported on the past and present work of the authority.

Business Sector

Following the departure of Lynn Keeley to Tasmania, Lauren Marks has taken over the role of the coordinator of the Traders Group, organizing and supporting promotions in the Morwell CBD and I thank Lauren for her efforts in promoting businesses and making a significant contribution to the work of Advance Morwell and the Business Community. This role has recently been taken over by Matilda Lappin and we also thank Matilda for her efforts in a very difficult retail climate.

Committee

Again, this year I record the challenge of obtaining suitable Committee Members who are willing to assume Executive Roles. This situation has not changed, and we could still do with some new committee members those with the attributes enabling them to undertake Office Bearers roles of Chairman and Secretary. If this trend continues and we do not have people coming forward to accept the responsibility of running the organisation, then the future of our Advance Morwell becomes uncertain which could result in us going into recess.

Representation

I have continued to represent Advance Morwell on the Future Morwell Steering Committee (Morwell Project) which was formed after the Mine Fire to deliver on a plan for the Development of the Morwell CBD. I am pleased to report that the majority of the under road work has been completed, the parklets have been constructed and work has now stopped for the pre-Christmas period.  Additional funding has been received from the State Government and work has commenced on the project which will see the implementation of the plan for Commercial Road from Hazelwood Road to Tarwin Street, with the restoration of the Pop-up Park in Tarwin Street while retaining two-way traffic.

I have also represented Advance Morwell on the Community Recovery Committee which was formed at the time of the Hazelwood Mine Fire and has continued its activities over the past 4 - l /2 years.

Over this time, we have worked with several agencies to produce an Emergency Management Plan for Morwell. I am again disappointed to say that we still have not achieved this objective and if a major incident occurred now, we would be no better off that we were when the Mine Fire occurred.

Howard Williams has accepted the role of representing Advance Morwell on the Yallourn Mine Environment Group, and we thank Howard for accepting this position and his work maintaining our membership records.

Keith Brownbill was our representative on the Rose Garden Celebration Committee.

We have continued to lobby both the Latrobe City Council and the State and Federal Governments on issues affecting Morwell, Latrobe City and Gippsland.

We have met with our Morwell Council representatives and have had continued contact with Our Morwell Councilors and Independent Member for Morwell Russell Northe.

We have continued to maintain a close relationship with ENGIE through Lauren Carey to ensure we have current knowledge of their plans for rehabilitation and fire protection.

Mine Rehabilitation

We continue our interest and involvement in the Management of Hazelwood Rehabilitation Works.  Advance Morwell will continue to monitor and be involved in discussions on the Mine rehabilitation as it progresses.

Of interest and concern is the work being undertaken to minimize the risk of any further fire incidents in the mine.

Gippsland Rail Project Implementation

We have continued our interest in the Gippsland Rail Project as it relates to improvements at the Morwell Station and travel times between the Latrobe Valley and Melbourne.

We have been also had a continuing involvement with the State Government in lobbying the Public Transport Melissa Horne, to achieve the additional car parking at the Morwell Train Station on the site of the former petrol station and garage.

We believe this is a strategic site and one which provides easy access to the station which is safe, and we have urged the minister to develop this site.

We have also reviewed and provided input into the proposed location of Morwell’s second rail platform as initial plans impacted parking and Legacy Place, while providing a suboptimal arrival experience for rail patrons.  We have argued for an offset platform arrangement with visually appealing access from Legacy Place, with additional access from the Bus Terminal to facilitate intermodal transfers.

Latrobe convention Centre Business Case and Concept

Council would now seek funding for the renovation of Kernot Hall

Traralgon Bypass

We continue to work with the Committee for Gippsland to achieve the Traralgon Bypass which is essential for the future of the transport industry in Gippsland.

Legacy Place Power Supply

Unfortunately, the redevelopment of Legacy Place and the provision of a power supply on site has been delayed due to the planned construction of a second platform at the Morwell Train Station. The plan for Legacy Place is dependent of the final location of the platform.

Latrobe City Forum

You will remember that last year I reported that my efforts over several years to re-establish meetings between the Latrobe City Council and town groups. 

It was suggested by Council that a better way to achieve this would be through the Latrobe Valley Authority. The CEO undertook to commence the process which would bring the three major towns groups together with the LCBTA assisted by an officer from LVA. 

Again, I report that the progress and assistance from the LA Authority has been extremely disappointing.

Membership

We value all our longstanding members and those who have joined more recently in supporting us to advocate for Morwell & Latrobe City. 

Sponsorship

We have again provided sponsorship to the Gippsland Antiques and Collectables Fair held at Kernot Hall and the Rose Garden Celebration.  This year we also provided financial assistance for Morwell Students to attend the Boolarra Tom Curtain Speak up Tour on February 16th”  

Purchases

To better represent the association, we purchased external display banners and a marquee for use at events run by or sponsored by Advance Morwell.

ANZAC Day

We again laid a wreath on Anzac Day to remember all Morwell Residents who have served their country in times of conflict.

I would like to thank you for your attendance tonight.

Advance Morwell has called on the State Government to come clean on the Morwell Railway Station carpark.

According to John Guy, Advance Morwell Chair, the Morwell community is frustrated and disappointed at the lack of action to deliver additional carparks at the congested Morwell Railway Station.

“Despite writing to, and seeking answers from, the Minister for Transport, the Minister for Public Infrastructure, local members Harriet Shing and Russell Northe, the only response we have received to date has been from The Member for Morwell, Russell Northe.”  Said Mr Guy.

“We are told the State Government supports our community, but all we hear are hollow promises.”  He added.

Advance Morwell wrote to the Minister for Transport expressing their concern about the delay in the delivering the additional car parking which was promised by the Andrews Government, over a year ago, in February 2018.

In addition to their frustration that car park extension works are yet to commence, Advance Morwell is concerned about commentary that the car park expansion location is apparently ‘contaminated’ and will not be developed.

“We find this incredibly hard to believe, as there are many former petrol station sites around Australia that have been successfully rehabilitated and repurposed.” said Mr. Guy.  

Advance Morwell believes that the former petrol station site is by far the best strategic location available to extend the railway station car park and should be developed as a matter of urgency.

“It is bad enough that Gippsland V/Line customers have been continually inconvenienced with bus replacements over the past year, without having to suffer hollow promises about parking enhancements while struggling to get a car park when travelling on V/Line.”  Concluded Mr Guy.

I write on behalf of Advance Morwell Inc. (a community and business organization which aims to advance Morwell and the wider Latrobe City). 

We wish to raise issue regarding the delay in the provision of additional Car Parking which was first promised in February 2018 and has not yet been delivered. Our concerns have further increased with anecdotal reports that the chosen site (a former petrol station site immediately adjacent to the Rail Station carpark) is contaminated and has been removed from the site list.

We find this totally unacceptable.  As you are well aware, many former petrol station sites across Victoria have been successfully rehabilitated and reused for different purposes. This location is surely the best strategic site available to meet the increasing demands of railway patron parking needs.

We request an up to date position with respect to this site and if so, the reasons why it has been discounted as the site for additional parking at the Morwell Train Station.

Additionally, if this site is not to be used as parking, Advance Morwell wishes to be advised as to the beautification plans for the site and the timeline for the completion of these works.  

Advance Morwell finds it difficult to believe the Government’s rhetoric regarding supporting our community, when it is not delivering key projects, such as the completion of this carpark, which is critical to support our commuter workforce.

Yours sincerely,

John Guy OAM.

CC: Minister for Public Transport: The Hon Melissa Horne 

Mr. Russell Northe MLA Member for Morwell.

Ms. Harriet Shing, MLC Member for Eastern Victoria