Success for Australia’s coal lobby, with new laws against wind farms in N.S.W. and Victoria
The state’s conservative Premier, Barry O’Farrell, .. has said that he personally opposes any no new wind farms.
public concerns about turbines have been “aided and abetted” by climate sceptics who have launched a Tea Party-style fear campaign. The campaign has featured local lobby groups protesting under the banner of “landscape guardians” – believed to be based on Britain’s Country Guardian.
The NSW Greens said the proposal would kill off the wind-generation sector in favour of coal seam gas projects
Australian state launches world’s toughest wind turbine laws, Telegraph UK 24 Dec 11 Australia’s most populus state has proposed the world’s toughest laws on wind turbines, with a plan to give all residents within 1.25 miles a veto over new projects.By Jonathan Pearlman in Sydney 23 Dec 20111. The New South Wales Government proposed the new rules following controversial rural wind farms which angered residents over noise and raised claims the vibrations cause stress and illness.
Under the proposals, turbines will be subject to a noise limit of 35 decibels, five decibels less than in the state of Victoria, which has similar guidelines. The NSW planning minister, Brad Hazzard, said the measures were “some of the toughest wind-farm guidelines in the country, possibly the world”. “One hundred per cent of neighbours have to be happy within that
two-kilometre zone,” he said. Continue reading
NSW Labor opposes uranium mining, Liberal government discussing it
Labor Opposition says NSW uranium ban should stay Big Pond News, 10 Dec 11 The NSW opposition has slammed any move to lift the state’s ban on uranium mining, saying nobody wants a uranium mine in their backyard.
During a question and answer session at the Lowy Institute in Sydney on Friday night, Premier Barry O’Farrell opened the door to the possibility of allowing uranium exploration and mining in NSW…..http://bigpondnews.com/articles/TopStories/2011/12/10/Oppn_says_NSW_uranium_ban_should_stay_695152.html
Big energy purchase deal for New South Wales wind farm
Origin Energy Buying Electricity From Gunning Wind Farm by Energy Matters, 24 Nov 11 Origin Energy has expanded its renewable energy portfolio, entering into a long-term power purchase agreement to buy electricity from Acciona’s Gunning Wind Farm.
Under the deal, Origin will initially purchase federal government issued Large-Scale Renewable Energy Certificates (LSREC) from Acciona for a period of two years, beginning January 2012. From January 1st 2014, the agreement allows Origin to buy both the LSRECs and the power generated by the wind farm for a further eight years; with an option to extend. Continue reading
Pro nuclear union pushing to lift NSW’s ban on uranium mining, Lithgow not keen
Council airs uranium mining fears ABC News, 16 Nov 11, The Lithgow City Council says it would have concerns about any open-cut mining proposals that might come from a uranium discovery.
The Australian Workers Union has suggested deposits of the material could be found in the Lithgow area, if a ban on exploration was lifted.
Lithgow Mayor Neville Castle says despite wide exploration for other metals, he has never heard of it being found in the region.”Well as far as I’m aware there’s been no identified deposits of uranium and we’ve had obviously a lot of geologists,” he said….. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-11-16/council-airs-uranium-deposit-fears/3674062
NSW wind farm plan to power 80,000 homes, save 10 million tonnes of greenhouse gas
Seventy new turbines planned for Collector, Goulburn Post, BY MADELINE HAYMAN,07 Nov, 2011 A SYDNEY company has planned the construction of almost 70 wind turbines in the vicinity of Collector. Brochures from energy provider RATCH Australia state that the Collector wind farm is now at stage five of the 10 stage approval process, and is currently being assessed under part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
“The proposed Collector wind farm is an important renewable energy project that will bring benefits to Collector, NSW and Australia,” RATCH Australia CEO Steve Loxton said. “The proposal is to build 69 wind turbines and associated electrical connections on the hills to the west of Collector. “Wind turbines are an efficient and cost effective way of generating clean, renewable electricity.
“Over its operating life the wind farm is expected to generate more than 10,000 gigawatt hours of renewable energy, equivalent to powering 80,000 homes per year for 25 years,” he said. Mr Loxton also said that the wind farm would save more than 10 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions over its life time…..
“Economic benefits include the revenues earned by the businesses that we will rely on during the construction and operation of the project and by local landholders who are hosting turbines…..
“The local community will directly benefit through the employment opportunities that are generated by the project.”… Mr Loxton said. “As with any new development, there will be some aspects of the proposal that some people will object to. We are working with the community to minimise the impact of these aspects.” http://www.goulburnpost.com.au/news/local/news/general/seventy-new-turbines-planned-for-collector/2348948.aspx
People power effective against New South Wales government plan to dump radioactive waste on Kemps Creek
People power stops Kemps Creek toxic waste plan Liverpool Leader, 1 Nov 11 RADIOACTIVE waste will not be dumped on Kemps Creek following an outpouring of community anger. The state government announced on Monday that more than 5000 tonnes of radioactive material will now be treated on-site by a federal agency at Hunters Hill before it will be removed.
Previous coverage: Kemps Creek dumping ground for radioactive waste
It ends a week of speculation after Finance Minister Greg Pearce agreed there were “no alternative waste sites in NSW”, during budget estimate hearings. Angry that the material from the former Hunters Hill uranium smelter seemed destined to be dumped at the SITA Environmental Solutions site, Kemps Creek residents last week kicked off a campaign to get a 10,000 signature petition to be debated in Parliament…. http://liverpool-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/heated-local-reaction/
NSW government does not know what to do with Hunter’s Hill radioactive uranium waste
Kemps Creek spared radioactive waste, but contaminated soil may be dumped elsewhere in NSW, Henry Budd , The Daily Telegraph October 31, 2011 RADIOACTIVE waste dug up in Hunters Hill will not be dumped at Kemps Creek, the NSW Government announced today, but the opposition says another NSW community could now be the site where material will be dumped.Up to 5000 tonnes of contaminated soil from the site of a former uranium smelter at Hunters Hillwas to have been trucked to Kemps Creek, near Penrith, allowing the sale of three blocks of land in the waterside suburb….
NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson said: “The Premier is treating the people of NSW with contempt if he thinks it is OK to dump radioactive waste in someone’s backyard and keep it a secret.”The Premier is clearly trying to avoid a second backlash by refusing to tell residents their community is about to become a radioactive dumping ground.”….http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/sydney-nsw/kemps-creek-spared-radioactive-waste-but-contaminated-soil-may-be-dumped-elsewhere-in-nsw/story-e6freuzi-1226181281010
Send radioactive waste offshore: NSW Labor 9 News 1 Nov 11 Radioactive waste from the north shore should be sent offshore and not trucked to western Sydney, says NSW Opposition Leader John Robertson. The government on Monday announced that radioactive waste from the former Hunters Hill uranium smelter would be stored at a secret Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) facility at Lidcombe….. Continue reading
Sydney’s Western suburbs don’t want Hunter’s Hill radioactive uranium waste
Uranium plant waste unwelcome in western suburbs, SMH, Ben Cubby, October 26, 2011 THE state government will face tough local opposition if it intends to take contaminated waste from a radioactive site in Hunters Hill and bury it at Kemps Creek in the city’s west.
It conceded at a budget estimates hearing this week that Kemps Creek was the only viable option if 5800 tonnes of mildly radioactive dirt and rock were to be removed from the site of a former uranium-processing plant.
The waste cannot be taken overseas or interstate, but Penrith City Council remains firmly opposed to the plan, which was first floated under the previous state government. Documents produced last year showed waste was to be placed in sealed trucks and driven to Kemps Creek, and warned that protests against the operation were likely to take place in western Sydney……
Hunters Hill Council wants the site cleaned up and the earth removed but does not want to simply transfer the problem to another part of Sydney. The land, on Nelson Parade, was the site of a radium smelter between 1911 and 1916. About 500 tonnes of uranium ore were processed at the plant and radioactive tailings are still mixed in with soil.
At least six people who have lived on or next door to the site have died of cancer, but there is no proven link between elevated levels of radiation on the site and health problems. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/uranium-plant-waste-unwelcome-in-western-suburbs-20111025-1mi4y.html#ixzz1bx7aVolq
Sydney’s Hunter’s Hill uranium radioactive wastes might be dumped in western suburb
Sydney’s uranium waste could still go west, Josephine Tovey, October 18, 2011 The Premier, Barry O’Farrell, will not rule out sending waste from a former uranium plant in Hunters Hill to western Sydney, despite the Coalition campaigning against the move when it was in opposition.
The Keneally government had signed a contract with SITA Environmental Solutions at Kemps Creek to dispose of the waste but withdrew from it last year after an outcry from the community.
Liberal candidate for Mulgoa Tanya Davies, who won the seat, had accused the former government of using her electorate as “dumping ground for Sydney”…. http://www.smh.com.au/environment/sydneys-uranium-waste-could-still-go-west-20111017-1ltfb.html
Australia’s New England area has bright future for farmers and wind energy
The huge commercial wind farm planned for Sapphire, between Glen Innes and Inverell, has negotiated with more than 20 landholders to take between 150 and 170 turbines.
“Those turbines are all on large properties,” Mr Cruickshank said. “They can run their sheep and cattle without any difference, they get a good return, and there aren’t any neighbours who are affected.”
Wind power puts region in renewable energy box seat, The Armidale Express JANENE CAREY 17 Oct, 2011 NATURAL advantages are making New England a significant part of the push to source 20 per cent of Australia’s energy from renewables by 2020.
Paul Cruickshank, one of the speakers at a low-carbon economy seminar held in Armidale said that although this region has the potential for large scale solar, our real advantage lies in wind power. Continue reading
Australian rooftop solar system providing power at all times
under the current government’s lack of incentives, rooftop solar is not economically attractive … until now.”
urban consumers wanted access to the grid to ensure they had power at all times.
“This achieves that for people – it’s a system which guarantees power supply from a predominantly solar source,”
What solar crisis?, Daily Examiner, 3 Oct 2011 A CLARENCE Valley solar power innovation promises to dramatically reduce household power costs and is offering hope to an industry sector which has had the rug pulled from under it.
In a first for Australia, Northern Rivers Renewable Energy (NRRE) has developed a system that automatically manages a home’s solar and grid power to the advantage of the home owner.
In a nutshell, the household’s entire electricity needs are stored in batteries which are, for the most part, recharged by solar power.
Now – and here’s the innovation – if enough solar energy is not produced, due to persistent rain for example, the system then recharges the batteries from grid power using a combination of off-peak and peak electricity. Continue reading
Upper Hunter region Councils look to renewable energy “life after coal”
Coal towns urged to consider renewable future, ABC News Newcastle, September 19, 2011 , A new $100,000 report has identified Muswellbrook and Singleton as future renewable energy hubs. The Upper Hunter Diversification Report was commissioned by the six Upper Hunter councils, co-funded by the State Government, and is being released to Singleton councillors this week.
It attempts to signal where the Hunter’s jobs will come from over the next 25 years and as the coal boom subsides. Singleton Council’s Salena Avard says because of the skilled mine labour force in Muswellbrook and Singleton, the towns would be perfect for the production of renewable energy technologies. “Singleton has a really fantastic set of skills that are associated both with the mining industry but professional services and all sorts of support industries,” she said.
“I think there is an opportunity for us to have a look at where we can transfer those skills. “Everyone recognises that the mining industry is going to be here for some time yet, but certainly life after mining is a consideration of this report.” http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-09-19/upper-hunter-renewable-energy-hubs/2905970/?site=newcastle
Japanese women in Sydney host holidays for Fukushima children
In Japan they cannot go outside without masks, without worrying about radiation. Even in school at PE time, they have to stay indoors.
“So [here in Sydney] they are so happy to walk around, go to the beach, and be free without radiation.”
Fukushima children swap fear for fun, ABC 702 Sydney, Monique Ross, August 17, 2011 A Japanese woman living in Australia is helping children living in the shadow of the Fukushima nuclear crisis forget the worries plaguing their region – if only for a little while.
Many parents sent their children away from Fukushima in the aftermath of the March disaster and life has also changed for those who remain, with outside play heavily restricted. While watching the continuing crisis unfold from her home in Sydney, Yukiko Hirano decided to form the Sydney Rainbow Stay Project.
The program takes children away from the nuclear fears that hang over their lives in Japan and brings them to Sydney for a home-stay holiday. Continue reading
Martin Ferguson endorses new Australian pro nuclear spin centre
The aim of New England Nuclear Energy is to gain enough support to change NSW legislation created in 1986 which prohibits nuclear facilities from being constructed or operated.
Nuclear centre opens, The Glen Innes Examiner AMY SLESSOR, 09 Aug, 2011 ,NEW England Nuclear Energy opened its Research, Education and Discussion Centre on Saturday morning.
The opening was at 8.15.43 seconds to coincide with the anniversary of the Hiroshima atomic bombing to show how far nuclear had come since that day, according to New England Nuclear Energy principal Howard Eastwood. Continue reading
Sydney-siders go solar
Solar use in Sydney soars, SYDNEY, Aug. 8 (UPI) –– Beset by rising consumer energy prices, consumers in Sydney, Australia’s most populous city, are looking to solar energy. In 2010 the city introduced a solar bonus scheme, which was very popular in Sydney’s more prosperous suburbs, with more than 14 percent of homes installing rooftop solar panels, compared with a New South Wales statewide average of about 3 percent…..
the number of private dwellings with solar panels had increased from 2,000 18 months ago to 46,000 after the former New South Wales Labor government introduced a solar bonus rebate scheme.
That plan allowed for a 60-cents-per-kilowatt-hour feed-in tariff for consumers utilizing solar panels, The Sydney Morning Herald reported….
Bowing to increasing public interest in the issue, Ausgrid has begun publishing details of solar panel installations and other data on its Web site to allow councils, consumers and other interested parties to evaluate patterns of electricity usage…http://www.upi.com/Business_News/Energy-Resources/2011/08/08/Solar-use-in-Sydney-soars/UPI-88871312819223/?spt=hs&or=er
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