Departments should replace Vic mine: Mayor

Speculation over the future of Victoria's Hazelwood coal mine has renewed calls for government departments to be moved to the region to provide job surety.

The mine could be closed or sold, owners Engie have told a French Senate committee, but the state government insists no decision has been made.

Latrobe City Council mayor Michael Rossiter says job security in the region could be sorted "with a flick of a pen" if the state relocated departments and their workers to the region.

"Those individuals could be housed and welcomed into our community well before a power turbine is shut down," he said.

Latrobe has previously flagged interest in the Environmental Protection Authority and Energy and Earth Resources departments being moved to the region.

It is a strategy used in other regional centres.

The TAC has been moved to Geelong, with WorkSafe starting its two-stage move to the regional city this year.