In December 2015, the Committee for Gippsland initiated a project to inform and drive a recommended approach to industry transitioning in the Latrobe Valley. The project established a number of methods of data gathering to inform this report’s findings and recommendations. These included a business survey that went out to 2,000 small to medium businesses in the Latrobe City, Baw Baw Shire and Wellington Shire local government areas, acknowledging the relationship between Baw Baw Shire and Wellington Shire to the Latrobe Valley area.

Over 200 of these surveys were completed and returned, with a comprehensive set of questions resulting in in-depth data. Following this, a series of face-to-face and over-the-phone interviews were conducted with small to medium businesses from the same catchment area. These questions focused on eliciting more detailed and explanatory responses.

Economic modelling from GHD was provided, detailing a forecast of potential job losses upon the closure of up to two power stations. Data from South Gippsland Shire, Baw Baw Shire and Wellington Shire was also provided on the number of residents who travel to the Latrobe Valley for work each day.