March 15th, 2007
The major parties remain wedded to coal-fired electric power, pinning their last hopes on the ‘clean coal’ theory. But even if collecting, transporting and burying coal’s greenhouse emissions one day turns out to be possible and affordable, the stuff still has to be mined and transported.
On a round trip from Kooragang Coal Terminal to Mt Arthur mine, near Muswellbrook, each coal train burns at least 3,200 litres of diesel (about 1,000 litres empty on the down and 2,200 loaded on the up) and around 40 litres of engine oil, for a net load of 7,800 tonnes of coal.
There are also currently about 70 coal ships queued up waiting to get into the port, predicted to rise to 90 by April.
In contrast, the sunlight delivered to a solar thermal power plant arrives free, every day.
But what about the economic consequences of phasing out coal power generation? Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Transport, Environment, power generation
March 11th, 2007
Any move to restrict public access to Sydney Harbour in favour of ‘rich boys with their floating toys’ is the clearest demonstration of how badly the Labor Party has lost its way and abrogated its philosophical roots.
Ports Minister Joe Tripodi’s move to weaken controls over foreshore development on Sydney Harbour does exactly this. It all but undoes the 2002 ‘Sharing Sydney Harbour’ initiative of the Carr Government.
A fundamental part of that initiative was The Regional Environment Plan (REP) for the harbour which has very clear objectives, including these clauses:
(b) the public good has precedence over the private good whenever and whatever change is proposed for Sydney Harbour or its foreshores,
(c) protection of the natural assets of Sydney Harbour has precedence over all other interests.
The REP was given real teeth via the powers of Landowner’s Consent vested in NSW Maritime.
Currently, NSW Maritime must apply REP principles when Landowner’s Consent is requested for a proposed development application (DA).
If NSW Maritime refuses consent, the DA cannot then proceed to the next relevant authority, for example a municipal council.
It is a strong, accountable two-tier procedure which can stop inappropriate developments early in the process, especially as refusal of Landowners’ consent is not subject to appeal.
However, without explanation or consultation, Joe Tripodi wants to give NSW Maritime ‘discretion’ to ignore REP principles when granting landowners consent. Put another way, owner’s consent could not be refused on the grounds of REP provisions. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Environment, Development, NSW Government
March 9th, 2007
Top prosecutor Nicholas Cowdery, QC, described the NSW State Plan as ‘ludicrous’ in the SMH today. He’s the only Department Head who is game to criticise the government as he enjoys a lifetime appointment.
It’s the same conclusion we came to, although more on environmental grounds than legal ones.
It is such a transparent load of glossy spin it beggars belief that the government has been wasting taxpayers’ money by advertising it on prime-time TV.
Premier Iemma said the plan was a result of ‘thousands of submissions’ from the public. What an insult to the intelligence when standard procedure is to take the submissions, ignore all those that differ from the existing agenda and then carry on regardless.
To crown the cynicism, they titled it ‘A new direction for NSW’. Since when was planning to increase road transport emissions, burning more coal and law-and-order auctions a ‘new direction’?
Anyone considering voting for it really needs to read our brief analysis (link above) and about the equally ludicrous Sydney Transport Plan.
Posted in NSW Government
March 8th, 2007
Major litigation commenced yesterday challenging the Minister for Planning Frank Sartor’s approval of the concept plans for the Carlton United Brewery (CUB) site at Chippendale.
Matthew Drake-Brockman, a city resident, is asking the Land and Environment Court to declare Minister Sartor’s approval invalid because he says the Minister failed to take into account climate change pollution to be caused by the project. Matthew is supported by Greens Deputy Lord Mayor Chris Harris who is the only councillor on the City of Sydney Council who consistently opposed the plans for this site.
Cr. Chris Harris: “This litigation is not about stopping development, it’s about achieving sustainable development at a time when climate change is the biggest threat to our community.
“The case brings to the city the legal arguments raised last year over the Anvil Hill coal mine in the Hunter Valley in which the Court held the Minister was required by NSW planning laws to consider the impact of climate change pollution. What we have with the CUB site is the equivalent of an urban coal mine. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Environment, Development, NSW Government
March 6th, 2007
Around 80 Greens joined a record 8,000 marchers in the Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras last Saturday night.
As usual it was a fabulous night marked by huge crowds in party mode enjoying a pervading spirit of tolerance and friendliness. It’s the one night of the year where not only participants but also many of the crowd shed their inhibitions and wear ANYTHING they like with spectacular results.
The Greens’ float echoed many others in the parade with its theme of “Full equality - No excuses”, a particular reference to the continuing discrimination against same-sex couples who wish to marry.
Elected Greens strutting their stuff included MLCs Lee Rhiannon and Sylvia Hale, Senator Kerry Nettle, Fiona Byrne and Chris Harris along with upper house candidate John Kaye and candidates from several seats in Sydney.
Pictured is Chris Harris and marchers from other floats watching the passing parade. Click on to see some more pictures. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in LGBTI
