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Latrobe Valley licence applications

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Latrobe Valley Licence Application

Southern Rural Water is seeking community feedback on a groundwater licence renewal application from AGL for the Loy Yang mine.

You have until 8 July 2026 to have your say on this groundwater licence application. We’ll invite public feedback and include your input in our review before any decisions are made.

Southern Rural Water reviews each application in accordance with the requirements of the Water Act 1989, using advice from experts and feedback from the community before making a decision. 

Applications in focus

AGL - Loy Yang Mine

AGL has requested an extension of their existing groundwater licence for 15 years for mine safety, not long-term rehabilitation plans. The water is needed to manage pressure and keep mine voids stable and safe. This is not a licence to fill the mine or create lakes. The future rehabilitation of the mine will go through a separate application and consultation process in the future.

Southern Rural Water considerations

Southern Rural Water consider this application against the considerations in Section 40 of the Water Act 1989. These matters include,  the existing and projected availability of water, the quality of water, and any adverse impacts the water use will have on other users.

Section 40 matters also consider the need to protect the environment, current government policies and the purpose for which the water will be used.

Feedback and transparency

Southern Rural Water aims to ensure the community has access to accurate and transparent information about the applications and is given a fair opportunity to provide feedback before any decisions are made.

Community consultation will be open until 8 July 2026, before making any decisions. The consultation will provide information about the applications, describe their purpose, and invite community input before any decision.

AGL sent in their application in May 2026 ahead of the licence expiration on 1 September 2026. Southern Rural Water now has all the information to seek community for feedback. 

Temporary licence provisions may be used to keep the mines safe beyond 1 September 2026. We’ll do everything we can to make a decision on time. But if more time is needed, pumping may continue under current conditions to keep people and the environment safe.

Your say

Southern Rural Water reviews each application using advice from experts and feedback from the community before making a decision.
We are inviting public feedback and will include your input in our review, before any decisions are made. The consultation will remain open until 8 July 2026.
Written submissions can be submitted via email or post. Please direct enquiries and submissions to Alisha Clark, Manager Water Licencing.

Email srw@srw.com.au, or post to PO Box 153 Maffra VIC 3860.

Enquiries to 1300 139 510.

Please quote reference:
AC1950963
 

FAQS

How can I have my say?

  • How do I make a submission?

    We encourage interested parties to read AGL’s application and supporting documents. Southern Rural Water is using the same materials to review AGL’s application.

    We seek comment from any interested person or party that considers that they are, or may be, affected by this application. Submissions on this proposal will be accepted until 5pm on Wednesday 8 July and will be taken into account in determining this application.

    There is no specific submission form. A submission may take any written format you wish and submitted via email or post.

    Please direct enquiries and submissions to:   

    Alisha Clark 
    Manager Water Licencing 
    srw@srw.com.au 

    PO Box 153 
    Maffra 3860 
    Telephone 1300 139 510 

    Please quote reference: AC1950963

  • When did AGL apply to renew their existing groundwater licence?

    Southern Rural Water received a licence application from AGL on 27 May 2026. 

  • What is AGL’s application?

    AGL has requested an extension of their existing groundwater licence for 15 years. The licence has a take and use volume of 19,302 megalitres each year. This application also requests a modification to the annual volume to a maximum of 22,359 megalitres. They have confirmed that extraction of groundwater to create a mine pit lake beyond the level required to achieve safe and stable conditions in the mine void is not within the purposes of the licence.

    The application is supported by a letter report from consulting firm Jacobs. The letter report supports the need to retain the current access to groundwater to maintain safe and stable conditions for the mine void until the finalisation of the Declared Mine Closure Plan is approved and any changes to water management are agreed and in place. 

    You can read AGL's application here. 

  • How much groundwater can AGL use?

    AGL currently holds a licence to pump a total volume of 19,302 megalitres each year from the combined Morwell Formation Aquifer System (MFAS) and the deep Traralgon Formation Aquifer System (TFAS). The Morwell Formation is within the Rosedale Groundwater Management Area and the Stratford Groundwater Management Area (GMA), the Traralgon Formation Aquifer is within the Stratford GMA – Zone 1. This application seeks a modification to the annual volume up to a maximum of 22,359 megalitres.

  • How long do I have to review AGL’s application and provide feedback?

    Southern Rural Water are legally required to provide a minimum 28 days for submissions. The submission period will remain open until 5pm on Wednesday 8 July 2026.

  • What should my submission include?

    Southern Rural Water will give weight to issues raised by interested parties as they relate to section 40 matters within the Water Act 1989. 

    Section 40 matters include, but are not limited to, the existing and projected availability of water, the quality of water, any adverse impacts that the water use will have on other users, any other water the applicant is entitled to, the need to protect the environment, current government policies and the purpose of which the water is to be used.

    You can view the full section 40 of the Water Act 1989 online.

  • Can I make more than one submission?

    Yes. Please note, the number of submissions received holds less weight than the rigour of evidence provided and how it relates to matters under section 40 of the Water Act 1989.

  • What information do I have access to, to inform my submission?

    We encourage interested parties to read AGL’s application and supporting documents. Southern Rural Water is using the same materials to review AGL’s application.