– For information only –
ABC News September 21st 2002
There has been a massive display of community anger on the New South Wales south coast, where thousands have taken to the streets of Batemans Bay to protest against the New South Wales Government’s approval of a charcoal plant for the Eurobodalla.
The proposal is part of a larger integrated development proposed by Australian Silicon, to support a new light metals industry in NSW.
The company already has approval for a silicon smelter in Lithgow and a quartz mine in Cowra.
But the Government’s approval for a charcoal plant south of Bateman’s Bay is being challenged in the NSW Land and Environment Court.
Today, more than 3,000 people turned out in the small coastal town to vent their anger at the idea of a charcoal plant being built in an area which promotes itself as the nature coast.
NSW Opposition leader John Brogden addressed the rally, promising the Mogo plant would not go ahead if a Coalition Government is elected next March.
“At the moment the rumours are flying thick and fast that they may pull the plug from Mogo altogether,” he said.
“That’d be a great outcome – what the Government needs to do, if they really want this project and they really want these jobs in Lithgow, is to look for other options.”
