Mood:
quizzicalTopic: nsw govt
Our last two posts are about a visit to Sussex St precincts earlier this week. An area famous for political power business. Our mission was purely visual snaps for the news blog not power politics but fate suggested otherwise.
We feel nostalgic in this part of town being close to the culture of Chinatown and where we took our first political baby steps. Once the home of The Wilderness Society in St James Lane, relocated to Kippax St (Surry Hills opposite the 'Holt St Harlot'). Sundry union buildings still around. And sure enough this picture in a window:
Now we hear Unions NSW leader John Robertson in the news last night and today very adamant in a message to the public that negotiations with the Iemma Govt over sale of public energy assets is "over". Similarly we here Green MP John Kaye saying it's dead in the upper house. Both very categorical and confidently public. Noteworthy because pollies are usually never so categorical in a hard contest for fear of embarrassment and lost media currency later.
This reminds of standing last Monday 26 May in the lobby confused trying to find the Justice Action office. Then we noticed a buff looking guy. When you do as much obsessive media monitoring as we do you often recognise people and even feel you know them (which we don't) and sure enough there was button eyed John Robertson wandering in about 2pm. "Ah John, which way to Justice Action office?" I asked, all workers together. He looks at me uncertainly, as you would, and to his credit answers "Good question, it's down this way" heading to the rear section of the building down a flight of stairs to 2nd smaller lift well. He's a good guy.
As we walk I give him the SAM news blog spiel, readership figures, and mention 'Enron: Smartest guys in the room' on Google Video having the broadcast the link all over the place.
"I've just got a copy of that in my office."
I wax lyrical a bit about the rogue traders sabotaging the Californian economy, and US$65 billion travesty of 7th biggest company there bankrupt in 24 days in 2002. It truly is a business-labour horror story all NSW citizens need to see. Feeling a little embarrassed preaching to the famous member of the anti sell off choir, and then out at level 2, brush with fame over.
We have no idea if the ripping yarn of the Enron documentary stiffened his resolve, but it sure is educational:
Meanwhile there are hints of developer council mates involved in this proposal in an old campaigning ground of the Camden Haven back in 1992 Commission of Inquiry against a canal estate development, lodgings with local pillar 'Angry Ant':
30 May 2008 Council met with 'dirty diesel' protests
More than 500 people protested outside the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council last night, against plans to build a diesel power station in the Camden Haven.
The protesters gathered under rainy skies chanting "no dirty diesel".
They are outraged by a proposal to build a peak diesel power plant near Kew.
Residents Against Power Pollution's Stuart O'Brien addressed the crowd.
"A polluting diesel power plant in any area makes no environmental sense, social sense or economic sense," he said.
The New South Wales Government has the final say on the development, but the council owns the land on which the power station would be built.
It has given in-principle approval to sell the site to the developer.
Last night it resolved to get legal advice on whether or not it has to go through with the sale.
and here
More time for power plant consultationPosted
The community has been given more time to comment on a controversial proposal for a diesel fuelled power plant south of Port Macquarie.
Local MP Robert Oakeshott says Camden Haven residents can use the extra time to let the Minister for Planning, Frank Sartor, know about their concerns.
Mr Oakeshott says many people have been surprised by the proposal to build a 'peak load' station between Kew and Herons Creek.
He says they will now have time to comment on the plan.
"When the meeting took place last week, which was the biggest meeting I've seen in the Camden Haven of about 600 people, it was very clear that the majority in the community were either not aware of the proposal at all, or were only just getting their heads around it all," he said.
"So getting an extension to the time frame was important and I'm really pleased that the Minister's come through with that and we've got an extra 20 days, through to June 22.
And here
Sent: Thursday, May 22, 2008 1:13 PMSubject: [Greens-Media] Herons Creek power station unnecessary,bad for environmentHerons Creek power station unnecessary, bad for environment
Media Release: 22 May 2008
The proposed diesel peaking power station at Herons Creek on the Mid North Coast of NSW should be rejected by the Department of Planning, according to Greens MP John Kaye.
Dr Kaye said: "Local residents are right to be concerned about the environmental impacts of the proposed plant.
"Diesel power stations are a poor way to generate electricity.
"The plant will produce 23,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year at a time when a rapid reduction in emissions to combat dangerous climate change is essential.
"These stations cause significant local air pollution, including emissions of nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, lead, sulphur dioxide and microfine particles (PM10), which have been called the new asbestos.
"The power station developer has given vague assurances about water use and storage. Glib statements that these will be used onsite 'as much as practicable' are not good enough for a major development application.
"Local residents will face regular noise pollution and exhaust stacks 20m high will become a major eyesore.
"The Greens do not believe this peaking plant is even necessary.
"A better solution would be a significant program of energy efficiency measures. If absolutely necessary, the local line capacity could also be upgraded.
"A new diesel-fuelled peaking plant is the wrong option for the region," Dr Kaye said.
