UP to now there have been vague bits and pieces filtering out over proposals to burn Sydney waste at Mt Piper but the complete picture is beginning to emerge after public information sessions across the LGA last week.
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It's a subject that has had alarm bells ringing when raised in the past but anyone interested to go along and ask found out that:
There will be 'only' an additional 23 semi trailer movements each way over the Mountains each day, hauling in around 200,000 tonnes of waste a year to be stored and burnt in a specially constructed unit.
And it won't be grubby garbage; it will be 'clean' non-recyclable waste, including plastics, linen and cardboard, with emissions controlled by scrubbers.
And all the stuff as it comes in will be stored in a fully enclosed bin, eliminating one major public concern.
A sweetener to all this will surely be Energy Australia's promise of around 300 jobs during up to two years of construction and 16 ongoing operational gigs.
We're told this won't mean less coal, just more generating capacity, and a part panacea for Sydney's garbage headaches.
Energy Australia has another commercial interest in all this; they'll be paid to take the stuff.
But unlike previous bids by private commercial interests, this time there will be no royalties for council.
There will be further opportunities for input as the program progresses.
Future needs
NOW that two electric vehicle recharging stations have been installed in the Workmens Club car park the more curious among us are wondering how many electric vehicles are currently in Greater Lithgow. Any takers on that one?
Downmarket
HAS the Police Department used up its budget allocation of luxury German BMWs for the highway cops to book you in style? Lately the Highway Patrol in Lithgow has been out and about in a bulky 4WD with the usual bells and whistles and colourful decals. Not the sort of thing you'd expect to see in a hot pursuit. But then, most of today's hoons seem to be in monster 4WDs. Anyway, it couldn't be less suitable for the task than the Fairlanes, Ramblers and Valiants of a past era. Bring back the Mini Minors, I say.
Back from the bush
IT'S really not the time of year that too many people spread picnic blankets in Lithgow's QE Park and probably just as well. With Winter feed in short supply in the hills around the valley the kangaroos are back in town in large numbers. You mightn't have seen them but in the park at present it's difficult not to tread in the evidence of where they've been. A downside to the trips to town - two roos the victims of roadkill in Lithgow Street last week and no doubt a hefty repair bill for someone.
Naughty Nicole
WITH the 'real' NBN getting nearer and nearer 'Nicole from NBN Broadband' is getting busier. The column had three calls in one day. There have been past official warnings that this is just another scam but you can't be rude to Nicole. She's a robot. Just hang up and save yourself potential angst.
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