The Latrobe Valley economy is in a downward spiral and it is likely to get a little worse. It is estimated that the local economy could lose $2 billion over the next decade with the premature closure of the native timber logging industry last December, Yallourn in 2028 and Loy Yang in 2035. The native timber logging industry was worth $770 million and secured 2,500 jobs, according to a 2016 report by Deloitte. The closure of the Reflex paper making plant at Maryvale was a flow-on from the closure of the native timber logging industry. The mill produced up to 200,000 tonnes of white paper per year, with 300 reams of paper created a minute. An estimated 200 jobs were lost with the Reflex closure.

ANOTHER football-netball season has started for the Trafalgar Football-Netball Club. The familiar sight and sounds of country football and netball are currently permeating, providing the soundtrack for the next six months. Appointments for the 2024 season see Tom Hallinan back for his third year at the helm as senior coach. Joining the crew this season is Kev Hennessy, who has bravely stepped up to coach the reserves.

"We've turned up to open up our shops and both ends were blocked off," Nicole Grey, owner of café Eat Live Fresh said. "For three hours I had staff on I didn't need, fresh food all prepped up ready to go and no traffic. No foot traffic, nothing." The quote above was published in the Warragul Gazette April 2 which went on to add: Sarah Jenkins, owner of Jenkins Home Hardware, said while the footpaths were still open, many people were unaware of that fact. "Business could have happened, the footpaths weren't closed, but people didn't know that.” she said.