Lithgow City Council mayor Cr Ray Thompson hit back at claims made by a fellow councillor that his move to call for additional generators at Mt Piper and the retention of coal fired power stations was a “stunt”.
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Cr Stephen Lesslie made the statement following council’s meeting on October 29, when the majority of councillors voted in favour of Cr Thompson’s motion.
You can see Cr Lesslie’s comments in the original article.
Cr Thomspson released correspondence dated August 13 from then mayor Cr Lesslie to Andrew Gee MP, calling for commitment to coal fired power generation and the addition of two generators at Mt Piper.
In it, Cr Lesslie “respectfully requests [Mr Gee’s] support in promoting Lithgow Council’s position advocating new investment in new power generation units at the Mt Piper facility to the Prime Minister and Government...”
“This is a serious matter for this council and community and council’s position has been clear on this under successive mayors as indicated in the correspondence from former mayor, Cr Lesslie to Andrew Gee, on August 13, 2018,” Cr Thompson said.
“Council is forward thinking but also recognises of the impact that potential change may have on our mining families, and the multiplier effect of lost income on business, and both are a concern for Council. Renewable energy is important but comes second to protecting our existing Lithgow community and their livelihoods.”
When he was contacted by the Mercury for comment, Cr Stephen Lesslie stated that he “noted the attempt by the mayor to wedge me on the redevelopment of the Wallerawang Power Station site”.
“As mayor I felt it was my responsibility to speak on behalf of the majority council view, but as a councillor I am free to speak as an independent.”
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