Clean, green, job rich future
Newcastle Greens
7 November 2006
Greens give Stern message: bin proposed Newcastle coal loader
Greens MP Lee Rhiannon is in Newcastle today to address a panel of independent experts, appointed to consider the proposed Newcastle coal loader. The Greens message is that climate change gives the government no choice but to reject the development.
"The world has woken up the threat of climate change and the government cannot afford to back a coal export terminal which will drive the expansion of coal mining in the Hunter, Gloucester and Gunnedah regions," mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said.
"I will ask the independent experts appointed by the Minister for Planning to think of their personal and professional responsibility to consider the implications of this decision for the lives of future generations.
"No where does the approval process for the coal loader ask for consideration to be given to the impact of the proposed coal loader on climate change. The Greens will ask the expert panel to look beyond these very limited terms of reference.
"A CSIRO climate change report released yesterday predicts temperatures in NSW could rise by more than 6 degrees by 2070 and rain levels could fall by 40 percent.
"The CSIRO report holds dire climate change predictions for the Namoi Valley, one of the areas being eyed off by the coal industry and which will feed the new coal loader.
"The Stern report shows us that a price can be placed on the damage brought by climate change. This price must be factored into any perceived economic benefits the coal loader may bring.
"A new coal loader flies in the face of the Stern report's advice to the world to produce cleaner energy to ensure non-fossil fuels account for 60% of energy output by 2050," Ms Rhiannon said.
Councillor Michael Osborne, Greens candidate for Newcastle said, "Climate change and this government's muddleheaded support for expansion of the coal industry is a major concern for the people of Newcastle and the Lower Hunter.
"Our regional economy risks collapse in coming decades as the world works to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.
"The Hunter region cannot afford to be locked into a coal dependent future. The government needs to end its business as usual approach to the coal industry and draw up plans for a clean, green, job rich future for the area," Clr Osborne said.
