https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/supporting-victorians-after-storms-and-flood

Welcome to life without coal Victoria.

In addition, a State Energy Emergency has been declared in response to the impacts of flooding in Gippsland on the Yallourn power station, which has caused significant cracks in the banks of the Morwell River Diversion and the wall of the mine.

The proclamation was approved by Governor in Council this morning on the recommendation of the Minister for Energy, Environment and Climate Change, based on advice from the Minister’s Department, and was endorsed last night by the Security and Emergency Management Committee of Cabinet.

The situation at Yallourn has been the subject of detailed briefings over the past week and it has become clear that swift action to stabilise the mine walls is essential to protect the state’s interests and ensure ongoing energy security.

If the mine flooded, Yallourn power station – which provides around 22 per cent of Victoria’s power – would either stop operating or operate at a significantly reduced capacity, potentially for months.

Declaring the emergency means the urgent works needed to divert the swollen river away from the mine to repair the riverbanks and the mine wall can be authorised quickly, without the need for prolonged approvals.