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13 May 2002 - see Charcoalition media release about the legal challenge.

16 May 2002
Eurobodalla Shire ratepayers have been sent an information sheet from Eurobodalla Shire Council called Public Consultation and survey on the Charcoal facility proposed for the shire.

On 1 May 2002, the Minister for Planning approved a charcoal factory at Springwater Rd, south of Mogo. Council wants your opinion on whether to appeal this decision.

The Charcoalition raised a number of serious objections to the contents of this information paper. Our attempts to have it changed were unsuccessful.

In our opinion, the information paper is confusing, contains misleading information, and is not consistent with Council's public statements about supporting the community in opposing the charcoal plant.

WHAT'S WRONG WITH COUNCILS INFORMATION SHEET?

• The information sheet quotes the State planning department's report and paints a misleadingly positive picture about the charcoal plant
• The sheet does not state the remaining negative impacts
• For those without internet access, the only phone number on the sheet is for Australian Silicon
• Job figures are misleading - no account is taken of jobs which may be lost because of this project. Jobs stated are not necessarily for locals
• Insufficient information on truck movements - semi-trailers and larger vehicles on the Princes Hwy could double in number
• No measures to minimise truck impacts in peak school and business hours
• The relationship between The Coastwatchers Association Inc. and Charcoalition is unclear - Charcoalition is a separate subcommittee of Coastwatchers, the group mentioned in Council's sheet. Charcoalition operates separate bank accounts
• The high estimates for legal costs are based on a worst case scenario using an expensive law firm
• It is not made clear that by working with other appellants and using some of the experts who have offered their services to Charcoalition and other parties, this will help reduce Council costs
• Eurobodalla Shire Council found a number of serious problems with the Environmental Impact Statement. This is not evident from the information sheet from council (see below for a summary).
  The Charcoalition asks every person in the community, and every non-resident ratepayer, to think carefully about the impacts of this charcoal factory. It will mean changes to our communities, businesses, environment and property values just to name a few.

Any possible short term costs to ratepayers in supporting Council in this action are minor compared to the horrific costs that the charcoal factory could inflict on us for the next twenty years and beyond.

Industrial development in this area may not stop with the charcoal plant.
"The Government is also pushing logging industry plans to build three large wood-fired power stations in New South Wales, including at Batemans Bay". (Cohen, NSW Legislative Council Hansard 8/5/2002)

Residents who live in the Shire and are on the Electoral Roll in Eurobodalla Shire who did not receive a form should try and obtain one from Council (4474 1282 or survey@eurocoast.nsw.gov.au).

Charcoalition Action will proceed
The Coastwatchers Charcoalition committee ** has instructed our solicitors to prepare a Class 1 Action in the Land & Environment Court to appeal the Minister for Planning's approval for the charcoal facility. This action will proceed regardless of what Council decides.

Please continue to donate to the Coastwatchers Charcoalition Fighting Fund at any IMB branch or post cheques to Charcoalition Treasurer, PO Box 521 Batemans Bay 2536.

** Charcoalition is a subcommittee of Coastwatchers. This arrangement was made to save donations having to be used for public liability insurance and incorporation fees. All donations to Charcoalition are kept separate and used solely for the anti-charcoal campaign.

WHAT DID COUNCIL SAY ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT?
Summary of selected key issues summarised from
www.eurocoast.nsw.gov.au/Publications/AgendaMinutes/2001/cr011210sp.pdf

• The EIS claims that the facility will not be visible from potential tourist destinations. Council staff analysis has indicated that it will be potentially visible from a number of actual tourist destinations
• Retort emissions may exceed those specified in the EIS
• Figures relating to job and income to the local economy are questionable
• Actual job generation is uncertain
• Potential impacts upon tourism and land values have not been adequately addressed, including increased demand on public services and facilities
• Attitudinal impacts on Shire residents appear not to have been addressed.
• Tourism significance of smaller villages, and financial and employment impacts on tourism, is not referenced
• Noise levels are likely to impact on outdoor activities in the construction phase and cause sleep disturbance during the operational phase.
• Traffic noise will be increased and perceptible to occupiers of land near the access road from the highway
• There may be poor dispersion and cumulative impacts of pollutants in the Broulee/Mossy Point locality during stable weather patterns
• Retort emission figures assume that the equipment is operating at maximum efficiency
• Concern over particulate fallout into residential and farm water supplies
• The potential overflow into the SEPP14 wetlands requires further assessment
• Further research likely for threatened species (Yellow Bellied glider and tongue orchid)
• Recent successful efforts to brand the image of the Nature Coast may be damaged