Refshauge between a rock and a hard place
Carr Pays Penalty
Canberra Joins The Fight!
Free Charcoal Site Ignored

In September 2001, National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) wrote to Planning NSW in relation to matters to be addressed in the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), concerning the wood processing facility near Mogo. It advised that a "full archaeological survey of the property and any associated infrastructure was required.

Their recent submission reveals that this was not done - "A review of the EIS indicates this assessment was not undertaken."

Dr Andrew Refshauge MP is the Planning NSW Minister and the NSW Minister for Aboriginal Affairs.

As the former, he is the man who can rubber-stamp the development application for the charcoal factory.

As the latter, he must consider carefully the report on cultural heritage from NPWS, regarding Australian Silicon's EIS.

He is the man ultimately responsible for protecting Aboriginal culture. The findings in the NPWS submission are very critical of the authors of the EIS and concludes the information provided, "is not sufficiently adequate to permit an informed decision in regard to the potential impact of the proposal on what is potentially an important natural and cultural setting." This places Dr Refshauge between a 'rock and a hard place'.

He must now find a way to balance his two portfolios to reach an appropriate decision.

Some of the many negative findings in the NPWS report:

* "There is however, no documentation from the Mogo Local Aboriginal Land Council within the EIS. This is a major omission and constitutes a significant failure to adhere to NPWS requirements for extensive consultation with all relevant Aboriginal community groups."

* " Failure to discuss recent research indicates a poor understanding of South Coast archaeology on the part of the report authors."

* "The 1993 report by Navin has never been forwarded to NPWS (the report appears to have been produced for ERM - the company who undertook the EIS for Australian Silicon).

* "It is also inappropriate to use Navin 1993, which is apparently based on research in the Shoalhaven region, well to the north of Broulee, when a more detailed and more locally focused regional synthesis is available in Knight (1996).

* "Failure to refer to Knight demonstrates a poor understanding of the archaeological literature among the EIS authors."

* Why have burial sites not been discussed given that the site is close to the Candlagen Creek estuary and that a burial site (not shown on the Table A.1) has been recorded 400 m south of this creek at Broulee?"

* "The consultation process for this project appears to have been ineffective."

* "What does the statement 'Archaeological sites Site 1 and 1F1 previously recorded by Barber (1995) were 'thoroughly examined' mean? "How were the sites thoroughly examined when no subsurface investigation was undertaken?"

* "No staff in SAHU (the appropriate NPWS unit for such consultation) were consulted about these recommendations."

The report is damning.

ERM appears to have glossed over the impact on cultural heritage and to have ignored recommendations from National Parks and Wildlife, the department charged with preserving the same.

Eurobodalla Shire Council's Mayor, Peter Cairney is extremely concerned. "The EIS shows total disregard for the rich Aboriginal culture evident on the South Coast and records no consultation, using research from a different region, no detailed examination of the site.

"It's as if we have taken a giant leap back 200 years."

The Moruya branch of the ALP - its 'jewel in the crown' in the Eden-Monaro electorate - collapsed at its meeting last Wednesday(March 27) with members disillusioned with Premier Bob arr and his Labor Government.

When nominations were called for officeholders, the silence was deafening. Not one person offered to stand.

ALP sources said members had lost faith in their party and it is all due to the actions of one man - the NSW Premier, Bob Carr.

Moruya is very close to the site of a proposed charcoal plant.

This wood-processing facility will produce charcoal, an integral part in the manufacture of silicon. The end product will then be trucked to Australian Silicon's (AS) smelter at Lithgow.

Mr Carr appears desperate to see the planning process for the plant succeed and is prepared to sacrifice his stated 'jewel in the crown of NSW', his 'last remaining coastal wilderness' - the Eurobodalla Shire - to get his wish. The Moruya branch does not want the plant.

The members are concerned about the impact it may have on the health of the community.

Among the record number (1521) individual submissions, made to Planning NSW refuting the findings of the Environmental Impact Statement, are several from experts in the environmental field.

Moruya branch members took the findings very seriously and asked that the Premier speak with them.

Mr Carr ignored the request.

Keith Simmons, a long-time party member, was charged with the task of closing down the branch.

"Premier Carr has ignored us. He has shown such arrogance and disdain towards our members and towards the rest of the community that we felt we had no option but to withdraw our support for the ALP," a disgruntled mr Simmons said.

"There would be only 3 or 4 branch members still willing to hand out at the next state election.

"Our branch has 40 members.

"It has always been very active - we raised 29% of the funds for the Labor candidate, Steve Whan in the last federal election.

"Steve is not very happy with our decision but some things are more important than being a branch member of the Labor Party.

"Health is one of those things.

"I was one of the 400 people, who attended the Sydney rally.

"It was hot and uncomfortable, but I felt it was worth the effort.

"I expected Mr Carr to come out and speak to us. He did not bother."

Mr Simmons met the Premier at the opening of the Eurobodalla Shire Botanical Gardens last year where the Premier signed 'Doc' Evatt's biography for him. Keith wryly said, "I am thinking of sending the book back. I don't want Mr Carr's autograph anymore."

As late as yesterday, Mr Simmons was ringing round former members of the branch.

He said he was confident he would retain enough of them to fill the vital positions and have sufficient to hold regular monthly branch meetings. It used to be that ALP country branches could meet every second month during winter with as few as six members present to constitute a proper meeting. It is not known if that remains the case in regard to the ALP Moruya's branch.

The 'Charcoal No Go' message has reached Canberra, with a massive rally organised for 20 March in Civic.

The protest will include speakers, bands, petitions and information stands. The rally has been organised by two Canberra residents Paula Nesci and Emma Harris who are concerned about implications of the plant.

Kerry Tucker from Greens is scheduled to speak and CSIRO has been asked to speak about their newly developed clean coal process.

"Although the charcoal factory it is not in Canberra it is still of concern as a large majority of ACT residents," Emma said.

"It would be a nightmare to see the plant go ahead. Most Canberra residents have a connection to South Coast - many more than Bob Carr thinks." Promotional material is currently being distributed around the ACT, outlining the arguments against the development.

A number of Canberra residents have travelled to Batemans Bay to participate in protests in the past, and organisers are expecting a solid turnout. For those interested in attending, meet at Garema Place, Civic at 12:30pm on March 20.

The movers and shakers behind the construction of the controversial charcoal plant at Mogo have ignored the offer of a free and viable site from an anonymous donor.

The philanthropist offered Australain Silicon 500 acres freehold last November 5, 2001 in a letter to Brett Peterkin, consultant for the company.

The large tract of land oin the Tallaganda Shire on the Nowra-Nerriga Road has a gravel pit on an approved haulage road.

The other benefit of the site is that it is just a few kilometres from the proposed new Shoalhaven Highway connecting Canberra and Nowra.

This would allow better access to railway and road transport.

Tallaganda Shire Council indicated its willingness to locate the charcoal plant within its shire at a meeting on November 14.

According to the philanthropist, Australian Silicon has totally ignored the offer.

Eurobodalla Shire Council's Mayor Peter Cairney spoke with the landowner. "He is puzzled and so am I. If the NSW Government is serious in their bid for the silicon smelter then they should encourage the company to accept the offer," the mayoir said.

"The land is free, it is close to transport, it has a gravel pit and there appears to be no opposition from Tallaganda Council.

"This generous man has now written to Planning NSW informing it of the offer. I will also discuss this with the Minister, Dr Refshauge when I meet with him Next Monday."