Councillors and staff met with representatives from the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Treasury in Sydney on November 1 as well as meeting with executives from site owner EnergyAustralia on November 8. 

“We were led to believe, some years ago by the NSW Government representatives of the day, that the Wallerawang power site would be utilised in such a way to promote material benefits to our community by way of employment generation after the Wallerawang closedown, and it is now time to focus our influence in support of this,” Deputy mayor Cr Wayne McAndrew said.

“We reinforced this view strongly at a meeting with senior EnergyAustralia executives attended by myself, the mayor and GM [general manager] on November 8, and hopefully they will be cognisant of the need to maintain relevant assets that will assist any future business activity at the site that has the potential to generate employment.

“After the closure of the station with the loss of 300 jobs four years ago, this is a further kick in the guts for our community.”

Mayor Ray Thompson said Lithgow council had to ensure the views and issues important to the community were made known to government and corporate entities operating within the LGA. 

An EnergyAustralia spokesperson stated on Thursday, November 15 that, with the salvage works largely complete, the company would now be turning its attention to the next phase for the Wallerawang site.

“Our current analysis tells us proceeding to demolition, for the site’s buildings and infrastructure, is a lower risk and more economical option,” the spokesperson said. 

“All things considered, we expect this application will be provided to Lithgow City Council for consideration in the coming months.

“Separately, for the past two years, we have been working with companies which have expressed an interest in using the site for new industry.

“Unfortunately, none of the proposals received have progressed to the stage where they are ready to proceed.”

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In its statement, the company said the rehabilitation process has been “a complex and potentially hazardous operation”. 

In August, at least 30 contract workers, and additional EnergyAustralia employees, engaged in salvaging materials at Wallerawang Power Station were taken off the site due to concerns surrounding elevated lead levels in dust, which EnergyAustralia said were found inside the boiler and turbine house.

“We understand the council and the community’s interest in Wallerawang; the plant is an integral part of the region’s history and people are anxious to see if the site still has a role to play,” the spokesperson said. 

“In 2015 EnergyAustralia began a process to retrieve and sell useable items from the plant. Our team at Wallerawang have done a fantastic job.”

The company flagged on Thursday, November 15 that it would be organising two events for the community to come along and learn more about the projects underway at the sites. One will be held at Mt Piper Power Station next week (time and dates to be announced). There will also be an information expo held on Thursday, November 22 from 11am to 7pm at the supper room, George Coates Avenue in Lithgow.