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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2002 Week 2 Hansard (20 February) . . Page.. 443 ..

MR STANHOPE (continuing):

At the last sitting, as Ms Tucker says, she asked whether the government would be putting in a submission to the New South Wales government regarding the proposed charcoal plant at Mogo. I wrote to the Premier on 16 January 2002 enclosing the submission.

I am very much aware that there are many residents in Canberra who are residents and holiday makers at the South Coast as well. I would fully expect that many of these citizens have made submissions on the EIS too.

The ACT government's submission detailed concerns raised by a range of people in the ACT community who visit the South Coast or own properties in the area. It indicated that the environmental impact statement released in November had raised significant community discussion and debate about the environmental, economic and social impacts associated with the development of such a facility on the proposed site.

The submission on the proposed charcoal facility outlined concerns raised by residents regarding environmental quality, particularly with regard to water allocation and air emissions, increased log traffic from Mogo to Lithgow via Braidwood and the Clyde Mountain, road safety issues associated with increased truck traffic near the plant along the Princes Highway and adverse effects on the local tourism industry.

The submission recognised the issue of job creation at the proposed charcoal plant at Mogo, the associated silicon smelter at Lithgow and a quartz mine at Cowra. It did challenge statements made in the EIS which indicated the proposed site would have no economic or social cost to the tourism industry in the Eurobodalla shire or the New South Wales coast region.

As you can see, I have requested that the Premier ensure that the environmental, economic and social impacts of the proposal be comprehensively assessed. The Premier wrote back to me on Wednesday, 6 February, and indicated that the matters raised by me and the ACT government are being given due consideration.

As I understand it, the original development proposal, the EIS and the submissions resulting from their public exhibition are currently under evaluation. The New South Wales planning department has said it recognises transport issues and concerns raised by the public and will consult with the Roads and Traffic Authority.

The New South Wales Deputy Premier, Mr Andrew Refshauge, as the planning minister will announce the decision once the project assessment is complete. The government is an active participant in regional planning, working closely with neighbouring communities, not only to promote the economic and business development of the region but also to sustain and enhance the environmental and community development within our region.

As you all know, we have good relations in the surrounding region. Indeed, like my predecessor, we have maintained the regional leaders forum, and we discuss issues of relevance to us all. But this is not a cross-border issue. It is not an issue that we should be instructing the New South Wales government on, just as if we had an issue specific to the ACT we would not be impressed if the New South Wales government lectured us or told us what to do.

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