​In 2006, my family and I crossed the Pacific Ocean from Brazil to settle in the beautiful community of the Latrobe Valley. It has since truly become where we call our home. We were warmly welcomed by our neighbors, and it has been a privilege to embrace the Australian way of life while sharing our own culture, like our churrasco or barbecue dinners!

​Having traveled widely across this country, I can confidently say that few places match the heart and spirit of our community. But when I look at the quiet, empty spaces of the Hazelwood Power Station open-cut mine, I see a huge opportunity for a positive change that benefits everyone.

​This petition calls for the rehabilitation of the Hazelwood mine site into a closed-loop hydro system. By supporting this initiative, we can achieve several vital goals for our region:

• ​Generate sustainable power by using the natural landscape for water cycling and adding solar panels to create low-cost energy.
• ​Lower energy costs by using the hydro system to act as a massive battery, balancing supply and demand to reduce emissions and power bills.
• ​Capitalize on proven methods, as pumped hydro makes up 97 percent of global electricity storage because it is highly affordable, mature, and ready to use today.
• Save our land and water, as a closed-loop system uses less than one-tenth of the space required by the solar and wind farms it supports, and it uses just a fraction of the water of old coal plants since it does not need cooling towers.
• ​Put our region at the center of global innovation, aligning with recent Australian
• National University research that identifies transforming brownfield sites like our local mine as a targeted priority for the future of global renewable storage.
• ​Create local jobs and mentorships by funding experienced tradespeople to mentor young apprentices while building this new site, keeping valuable skills in the community.
• 
  ​Restore the environment and turn an inaccessible scar into a thriving hub for renewable energy, leisure, and biodiversity.

​Victoria is already on track to become a green leader, and this project would cement that reputation. But beyond energy, this project is about people.

​Recently, I met a man named Ron Daly, who played a key role in building the Traralgon Business Block in 1971. Talking to him made me realize how easily we forget the people who built the infrastructure around us. Our community is full of sharp, capable, and highly experienced tradespeople.

​Instead of letting this immense knowledge go to waste after the many industry closures we have experienced, let us bring these skilled workers into the Hazelwood rehabilitation project. Providing hands-on education will bring generations together and build a strong, sustainable local economy.

​The people of the Latrobe Valley are hearty, generous, and ingenious. They overcome challenges every single day. They deserve a creative, forward-thinking project that they can call their own and be fiercely proud of.

​I want the children of coming generations to look back and be grateful we thought of them. We cannot let the remnants of our mighty industrial past become a burden on their future.

​I implore the Ministry for Energy, Environment, and Climate Change to consider this proposal for the health and prosperity of our community.

​Please sign this petition to urge our leaders to commit to rehabilitating the Hazelwood mine. Together, we can honor the sacrifices made in the name of progress and prosperity, and reshape our future into one that is sustainable, equitable, and fulfilling to our hearts.

Please don't forget to sign this petition in the Parliament of Victoria's Website as well and continue to help us get the support we need from our local representatives.

These stills were taken while navigating the globe at this website: https://re100.anu.edu.au/#share=g-3bcc2a691ac20106691c8cefca86c8e9 and input the following coordinates 38.23895°S, 146.56907°E into the search panel.

Queries? Please email us at hazelwoodloophydro@gmail.com with your enquiry.