- The Latrobe River contributes much needed fresh-water flows to the Ramsar listed Gippsland Lakes.
- The Latrobe River supports many important environmental and social values, particularly in the upper tributaries and the lower reaches around Heart Morass.
- The waterway has suffered from a legacy of abuse including industrial pollution and redirection, and is now facing further pressure from reduced inflows due to climate change.
- The coal fired power stations of the Latrobe Valley are big users of water from the river and a major source of potentially toxic pollution. Closing them down would be a huge benefit to the river – more flows, less pollution and reduced risk of climate change.
People who love and depend on the Latrobe River have many memories and insights to share – of raging whirlpools, cheekily wagging school and of bird-watching in the wetlands.