The announcement came out of left field after months of stated intention by EA to demolish the power station for its preferred greenfields site.

A much debated bid by a consortium called Real Axis to acquire the site for the announced central purpose of a ‘transport hub’ had been going on for months with continual stonewalling, political posturing by fringe dwellers and people asking why not.

Now a whole new ballgame with the announcement at week’s end of an exclusive agreement’ with Bettergrow for a fertiliser facility.

Mayor Ray Thompson who had been supportive of the Real Axis plan has wisely reacted cautiously to the announcement and called for much more detail.

Let’s face it, downwind of fertiliser plants has never been regarded as a threat to Chanel No 5.

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State Member Paul Toole was more enthusiastic but there’s no fertiliser plant planned for his neighbourhood so that’s hardly encouraging.

But this prospect for Wang is not the only issue that should have alarm bells jangling; a little known component proposed in the Real Axis staged plan was for a pig abattoir. Yep, a pig abattoir.

The owner of a piggery at Turondale confirmed as much in November when he petitioned Paul Toole for support.

Abattoirs and fertiliser; is this the best we can do for our community?

You can bet the Sydney Water Catchment Authority will have something to say.

We clearly haven’t heard the last of this but whatever eventuates due consideration must be given to the existence next door to the power station site of two very important assets for locals and visitors, the award winning Black Gold Cabins and the Lake Wallace recreation area.

And their patrons will surely have a preference for Chanel No 5.

LITHGOW Council has never instilled much enthusiasm when it comes to the civic image but it could improve its limited stocks by removing that ‘búilt by Lithgow Council 1950’ signage from the upper façade of the building below the somewhat unattractive town clock in Main Street. Shops below the awning and the railway concourse are well maintained but the upper level probably hasn’t been painted since 1950 and looks decidedly tatty. Surely Council doesn’t want to create the perception of ownership of such an eyesore (owned we believe by an absentee landlord).

ANOTHER month and still no litter bins in lovely Cook Plaza in Lithgow. Just as well hardly anyone uses the site except to access the public toilets.