The proposed Port Waratah Coal Services T4 should be rejected

Introduction

The Port Waratah Coal Services Terminal 4 proposal is based on the tenuous presumption that the Hunter coal industry is a “growing” industry and that “bringing forward the mining and export of coal has a potential net production benefit to Australia” (Environmental Assessment 2012 pE.22). Various recent reports and government and financial forecasting contend otherwise.

The T4 proposal has the potential to either make or break the regional economy by way of locking the region into a coal future.

At the moment, the export of coal is not threatened – it’s the opportunity to capitalise on the accessible coal reserves that is driving the proposal. The proposal is in direct conflict with social, environmental, scientific and economic concerns about the ramifications of global warming in the first instance.

The Sydney Morning Herald “Old king coal gets knocked off its throne” (Paddy Manning SMH 28-29 April 2012 Weekend Business p9) reports that markets have “soured and the investment boom may be over for now”. Thermal coal is predicted to come under pressure in the medium to longer term with an expected fall in prices to as low as US$85 a tonne by 2015 and that the time for high investment returns is probably over. Oversupply of the resource will drive the prices further down (Paddy Manning SMH 5 March 2012 p5 “Coking coal piles up as prices simmer down”).

The Hunter Valley Coal Rail Network has planned to expand at a rate beyond the present capacity of coal exporting facilities at the Port (Draft Strategic Regional Land Use Policy 2012 p33). Port Waratah Coal Services has predicted that Port capacity will be reached by 2014.

The Port expansion is dependent on the availability of anticipated coal supplies, expansion of the industry and provision of a new terminal to capitalise on the aspirations of vested interest.

The proponents note that a combination of development of alternative energy or policy change could derail their predictions of production rates and export capacities (Environmental Assessment 2012 Scenario 3 p298).

It is acknowledged that Port related industry and infrastructure is vitally important to the region, State and Commonwealth – we need to get its planning and implementation right.

The proposal does not represent the best interests of the state – it represents the best interests of Port Waratah Coal Services at the expense of the regional and local Newcastle economy.

and more to come...

Container Deposit Legislation

The following Motion that I submitted was adopted unanimously by Council...

NOTICE OF MOTION: CONTAINER DEPOSIT LEGISLATION

COUNCILLOR: M OSBORNE

MOTION

Noting that
(i) The role of a councillor is to represent the interests of the residents and ratepayers and to provide leadership and guidance to the community (Local Government Act 1993, Section 232),
(ii) Council is obliged under its Charter to exercise community leadership and to properly manage, develop, protect, restore, enhance and conserve the environment of the area for which it is responsible, in a manner that is consistent with and promotes the principles of ecologically sustainable development (Local Government Act 1993, Section 8),
(iii) Council unanimously adopted a resolution in this term (16 December 2008) acknowledging the significant environmental, economic and social benefits to ratepayers of adopting a Container Deposit Scheme in NSW and to lobby the Premier to implement such a scheme,
(iv) The Local Government Association of NSW adopted a resolution at its recent conference (23-26 October 2011) calling on the NSW Government to implement measures to avoid the creation of waste, such as legislation for Extended Producer Responsibility, in particular Container Deposit Legislation, and
(v) Council recently received a letter (see attached) from the Australian Local Government Association, Clean Up Australia and the Boomerang Alliance urging Council to make a submission to the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement on Packaging

That Newcastle Council
(i) Makes a submission to the Consultation Regulation Impact Statement on Packaging prepared by the Council of Australian Governments in support of a national Container Deposit Scheme, highlighting in particular:
a. This Council’s unanimous support for such a scheme
b. The savings that could be achieved by this Council in avoided collection, transport and recycling costs as well as other avoided costs (such as regulation, landfill and litter clean up)
(ii) Sends a copy of Council’s submission to the State Government asking that they support the introduction of a Container Deposit Scheme.
(iii) Ensures that Council’s relevant contractual arrangements, including recycling contracts makes allowance for the possible introduction of a Container Deposit Scheme.
(iv) Invites Australian Local Government Association President Cr Genia McCaffery, Clean Up Australia founder and anti-waste campaigner Mr Ian Kiernan AO and Boomerang Alliance Convenor Mr Jeff Angel to speak to the Newcastle Councillors, relevant council staff and the public about how a Container Deposit Scheme would benefit our local community.

BACKGROUND
Apart from savings to Council, there are many other benefits which flow from a Container Deposit Scheme:
• an increase in the recycling rate of containers,
• the creation of jobs in manufacturing and maintaining/administering collection depots,
• money for voluntary groups and charities (by collecting and returning containers), and
• a reduction of litter in our streets and water ways.

In addition, people can make some money by keeping our environment clean.

Draft Wind Farm Guidelines

The following Motion that I submitted was adopted unanimously by Council...

NOTICE OF MOTION: Draft NSW PLANNING GUIDELINES: WIND FARMS

COUNCILLOR: M OSBORNE

MOTION

Noting that
(i) Council is obliged under its Charter to engage in long-term strategic planning on behalf of the local community (Local Government Act 1993, Section 8),
(ii) The NSW Department of Planning has released Draft NSW Planning Guidelines: Wind Farms “to ensure effective consultation with local communities and to deliver improved consistency, transparency and rigour in the planning assessment process”.
(iii) Public submissions on the Draft NSW Planning Guidelines: Wind Farms close 14 March 2012.

That Newcastle Council
(i) Urgently write to the Department of Planning requesting that direct consultation with the Newcastle business, educational and research institutions and local community and Newcastle City Council Planning Staff and Councillors takes place prior to the close of the submission period for the Draft Guidelines.
(ii) Request an extension to the public submission period for the Draft NSW Planning Guidelines: Wind Farms
(iii) Makes a submission on the Draft NSW Planning Guidelines: Wind Farms.

BACKGROUND
The Department of Planning has nominated only three community consultative sessions to be held in Bathurst, Yass and Glenn Innes, yet the Hunter has also been nominated as one of the key areas for wind farm development in the Wind Farm Draft Guidelines: Community information presentation.

The Kooragang “wind farm” is mentioned as one of nine wind farms in operation across the state.

The flow-on benefits from wind energy production, as the most cost effective form of renewable energy, to the Newcastle community should not be underestimated.

Council has publicly stated that it is committed to developing strategies and programs to empower rate payers and business groups to effectively reduce their carbon footprints. The request reflects Newcastle’s aspirational goal to be seen as an innovation hub for the region.

Wind energy is an established technology that offers direct benefit to our manufacturing and service industries, research and development facilities and provides a sustainable opportunity to diversify away from our short term reliance on the mining boom. Sustainable jobs (eg wind turbines) necessitate the employment of many more people than coal related port industries.

The Guidelines have the potential to directly affect sustainable growth of employment opportunity and mitigate the impacts of climate change.

As Councillors we need to represent our constituents and call on the Department of Planning to openly and directly consult with our business, educational and research institutions and community members about the proposed guidelines.