Lithgow City Councillor Stephen Lesslie has described a move by the council to lobby for the retention of coal fired power stations as a “stunt”.
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At its meeting on October 29, prior to its most recent meetings with EnergyAustralia and the Department of Premier and Cabinet and Treasury, the council resolved to write to Calare MP Andrew Gee to ask him to engage the federal government in a dialogue concerning the retention and replacement of coal fired power stations, with specific reference to Wallerawang and Mt Piper.
The motion also asked for financial assistance for the purchase of the Wallerawang site “in the absence of any potential for a replacement coal fired power station on that site”.
The mayoral minute was put by Lithgow City mayor Cr Ray Thompson.
“Those that argue renewables are more often than not employees/individuals that enjoy a lifestyle that is not under threat and therefore find it easy to advocate what others should do regardless of the impact on those that live and work locally, have families and may suffer job loss,” he said.
“I think it’s important we get some kind of industry… We want the federal government to come to our aid to put this particular item on their agenda,” he said at the meeting.
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Cr Maree Statham said previous attempts, through Mr Gee, to lobby the then prime minister Malcolm Turnball had been unsuccessful but, she believed, it was worth attempting with the new prime minister.
Cr Stephen Lesslie spoke against the motion, stating it was a “publicity stunt” and an “embarrassment”.
“There was absolutely no chance that EnergyAustralia or either Government would be the slightest bit interested in building a coal fired power station on the Wallerawang site,” Cr Lesslie said.
“For Lithgow to grow, Lithgow council needs to project an image of being a forward looking council. Looking back and trying to re-create the Lithgow of the 1950s will drive potential investors away.”