Opposition to the reopening of Redbank Power Station

BY OLIVIA GOELDNER

Proposals to reopen the Redbank Power Station have been met with opposition from environmentalists. 

Verdant Earth Technologies made the proposal, looking to turn the former coal-fired power station into a biomass energy generator. 

They say they will work closely with industry, local Landcare services and landowners, sourcing material through the removal of wood waste and noxious weeds from residencies and approved sites.

With plans on burning 850,000 tonnes of waste wood to produce energy. 

Representatives from the Nature Conservation Council of NSW have opposed the reopening of the plant, arguing the initiative is backed by fossil-fuel lobbyists and may not be environmentally friendly.  

While further claiming the burning of any material will continue to see significant carbon emissions. 

Photo courtesy of Nipun Jagtap

Local Environmental Group Angered as Vales Point Power Station's Life Expectancy Extended

 BY BELLA MIDDLETON

Photo Credit: ABC News

                                             

The Coal-ash Community Alliance has been left angered and with unanswered questions as the Australian Energy Market Operator quietly extended the technical life of the Vales Point power station.

The news of the extension, until 2033, was buried deep inside a spreadsheet released on the AEMO's website, with locals not informed of the re-assessment.

The Lake Macquarie-based Coal-ash Community Alliance is calling on the new owners of the Vales Point power station to release their plans to invest to reduce the excessive air pollution and work to reuse the coal ash created at the plant.

"Any extension of operation of the Vales Point power station first requires significant reductions in ash dumping and air pollution," said CCA member Kim Grierson.

"Where is the investment from the new owners to reduce the excessive air pollution from this plant? Where are their efforts to safely reuse the millions of tones of coal ash in the ash dumps around Vales Point? What are the State government and the EPA doing about it?"

Recent findings in the NSW Upper House Coal-ash inquiry found urgent action is needed to address the ongoing problem of more than 100 million tonnes of coal ash waste stored around Lake Macquarie. 

CCA Research Coordinator, Dr Ingrid Schraner, says there should be no extension of life for any power station without clear plans of how the new and existing coal ash will be used in environmentally safe ways.

"What are the plans with the additional ash that's being produced, but much more to the point, where are we at with the process of reusing the existing ash because there is millions and millions of tonnes of coal ash stored around Lake Macquarie," said Dr Schraner.

Environment group launches legal action against Mount Pleasant mine expansion

BY DAKOTA TAIT

An Upper Hunter environment group has launched legal action to stop the expansion of the Mount Pleasant coal mine at Muswellbrook.

The Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group is arguing the Independent Planning Commission failed to consider the impacts of emissions on air quality and the environment, as well as the social and economic footprint, when it approved the project.

The group is being represented by the Environmental Defenders Office.

The approval was earlier in the year delayed, when a new species of legless lizard was discovered, the Hunter Valley Delma.

Image credit: Lock the Gate.

Federal MP alleges Hunter mine operators lying about coal quality

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Federal Government is seeking a briefing from the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, after claims aired in Parliament, mine operators across the Hunter and Australia, are lying about coal quality. 

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie raised the allegations in Canberra on Monday, naming local operators Glencore and Peabody, as well as Anglo-American and Macquarie Bank. 

He told Parliament, a whistleblower coal executive has handed over thousands of documents as proof. 

The documents are purported to show fraud making out that Australian exports are of higher and cleaner quality than they actually are.

Testing firm ALS has also been implicated, just two years after admitting to falsifying up to 50 percent of results at its Newcastle lab. 

The corporate regulator has taken no action on ALS, but four staff members were suspended and then left the company.

If true, the allegations are likely to raise questions about the impact on emissions and the environment, as well as overseas sales and the economy.

Hunter residents encouraged to show their love for water

BY SHY-ANN ARKINSTALL

It's Hunter Water's third annual Love Water Day this Saturday, and part of the celebrations for National Water Week.

Hunter locals are being encouraged to get involved by sharing photos or short videos online of how you use smart water practices at home and at work.

We're being reminded we can save water at home by sticking to a four-minute shower, using a trigger nozzle on your hose, watering your garden before 10 am or after 4 pm and ensuring any leaks are fixed as soon as possible.

It's hoped little changes such as these will ensure generations to come are able to live free of fear from water scarcity. 

Hunter Water will also continue to collaborate with schools to ensure the next generation has the knowledge to protect our most precious resource.

With summer quickly approaching, Hunter Water's Renee Fedder says the community needs a reminder about how important it is to conserve water, even during floods.

"It's really important that we're all making smart water choices in our everyday lives," she said.

"Water is fundamental to life and everything that we do, so while it may feel like it's all around us at the moment, it's really important that we do those small things in our homes that can really make big changes for our future."

$4.7 million spend for sand nourishment on Stockton Beach

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Federal Government has announced $4.7 million dollars in funding to begin sand nourishment on Stockton Beach.

The cash will fund the first deliveries of sand across the shoreline, as well as feasibility studies to identify additional sand sources and environmental approvals to access offshore deposits.

Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon says it's a major step forward for Stockton.

"This is an important catalyst project," she said. "It is phase one of a long-term plan to restore sand back to this beach."

"And to restore hope to the Stockton community that they won't continuously face ongoing erosion of this precious coastline, and the loss of vital community assets."

It's one of 34 projects being funded in the national Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program.

The State Government has welcomed the spend, saying it's supporting plans to find 300,000 cubic metres of sand to nourish the shore in the short-term.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes says it will complement council works, such as a new buried seawall.

"There has been so much sand loss here, and all the studies have been done for so many decades," she said. "We need 2.4 million cubic metres."

"There is a missing element, and we do hope that in due course, the state will commit to not only the funding under the [Coastal Management Plan] to get the mass sand, but to do the environmental investigations and to get the licenses."

Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon and Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.

Newcastle councillor calling for citywide ban on fossil fuel ads

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle Council is set to discuss the possibility of a ban on fossil fuel advertising across the city at its meeting on Tuesday night.

Greens councillor John Mackenzie submitted the notice of motion, arguing it follows in the footsteps of bans on sponsorship from other activities such as gambling, alcohol, or weapons manufacturing.

He says people's attitudes are changing. 

"What we're seeing is local governments right across the country are undertaking this ban in exactly the same way that tobacco advertising was banned in the 80s and 90s," he said.

"We're recognising that the social and environmental and health consequences of supporting fossil fuels can no longer be tolerated. We're hearing the message from the community, and it starts with banning advertising which helps promote and advocates on behalf of these industries."

If successful, the motion would start with restrictions on fossil fuel advertising on council-owned and controlled signage and properties.

From there, Cr Mackenzie says Council could explore other opportunities and call on the State and Federal Governments to pursue a similar ban at a broader ban.

The ban would apply to all forms of advertising for the extraction and sale of coal, oil, or gas products.

It's unclear if the proposal to prohibit sponsorships would mean a stopper on funding from streams such as the Newcastle Port Community Contribution Fund or the State Government's Resources for Regions program.

"At this stage, what we want to do is make it very clear that the City of Newcastle won't be supporting that kind of advertising," Cr Mackenzie said.

"Then we can use that position to talk to the Port or to the Newcastle Knights and other companies and interests in the region, to see what opportunities there are for working together on reducing the role that fossil fuel advertising plays in our day-to-day lives."

Hunter residents encouraged to consider a switch on World Electric Vehicle Day

BY RAVELLE EATON

It's World Electric Vehicle Day today and Hunter residents are being encouraged to consider the benefits of EVs, including reducing the release of carbon emissions. 

Data released from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries shows that EV purchases are at a record high. 

Climate Action Newcastle's Ian Wilcox says drivers should consider their own circumstances before purchasing. 

"For people that do a good number of kilometres, you know, in excess of maybe $15,000, it will make sense straight away," he said.

"For people that do less it may not make economic sense straight away, but that changes as the electric car cost comes down." 

Although electric vehicles might not be a right fit for everyone, advocates say can still have huge advantages including creating manufacturing and job opportunities, improved health outcomes and reduce emissions. 

Mannering Park sees second mass fish kill in a month

BY DAKOTA TAIT

There has been a second fish kill at Mannering Park, less than a month after a first incident in early August.

Thousands of fish were found dead on the shoreline at Wyee Bay on August 6, with the EPA concluding the water column had likely been overturned when cooler weather conditions collided with the warmer temperatures of the cooling water emitted by Vales Point Power Station. 

The Hunter Community Environment Centre (HCEC) was notified by a community member yesterday, finding hundreds more fish dead on the shore at Wyee Bay.

In a statement, Delta Electricity rejected the HCEC's claims, arguing far fewer fish were killed than the organisation suggested.

"Rather than leave fish to rot on the shoreline, Delta (as a good local citizen) deployed some staff to assist with the clean-up," the statement said. "There were about 100 fish, mostly mullet, and claims of ‘a total of three ute loads of fish were removed from the lake’ are incorrect."

"Delta has undertaken its own investigations and has fully co-operated with the EPA as part of its investigations, which included EPA site attendance and water sampling yesterday."

The company's described claims by the HCEC that thermal pollution contributed to the August fish kill as "selective and misleading".

While the EPA report described it as a "natural event", it did cite the elevated temperatures at Mannering Park as a contributing factor in the turnover of the water column and the occurrence of tropical fish, attracted and acclimatized to the warmer water temperatures, who were overwhelmed by the upset in temperatures, as well as by the sediment disruption.

The HCEC argues the fish kills are an indicator that more research needs to be done into the impact of temperature disruptions and thermal pollution on Lake Macquarie.

Image credit: Hunter Community Environment Centre.

Mt Pleasant mine expansion given go-ahead despite environmental concerns

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The NSW Independent Planning Commission has given MACH Energy the green light to move forward with a major expansion of its Mount Pleasant mine near Muswellbrook.

The mine won't only extend its lifespan by 22 years to 2048, but also double annual coal extraction to 21 million tonnes.

Environmental activists such as the Lock the Gate Alliance are slamming the decision, however.

NSW Coordinator Nic Clyde says it's a step in the wrong direction.

"The coal industry is running policy in NSW Government," he said. "It was not unexpected, but it's still a catastrophic decision."

"This is actually the largest coal mine expansion approved by a long shot, since the Paris Agreement entered into force back into 2016. It's quite a disaster for New South Wales and for Australia."

"It's pretty clear - from the International Energy Agency, the global scientific community, former Chief Scientist of Australia Penny Sackett, anyone who's paying attention - that no new coal, oil, or gas projects can be approved anywhere on the planet, if we're going to keep warming to a safe level."

The Commission will subject the mine to strict conditions around air quality, noise pollution, and the impacts on Indigenous cultural heritage, biodiversity, and emissions.

Mr Clyde's described the conditions as "hopelessly inadequate" and "weak", however, arguing the project's economic and jobs benefit is insignificant in the long run, and the Hunter should instead be transitioning to new industries.

251 of the 689 submissions made to the Commission were opposed to the project.

Lock the Gate is now calling on Federal Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek to get involved and veto the expansion.

Mr Clyde says the project will have far-reaching consequences not only for the planet and the environment, but for local health.

"The Upper Hunter community is already dealing with huge air pollution loads," he said. "There's a real asthma problem."

"There was really disturbing evidence that the Planning Commission heard from an air quality expert, who was saying that there is no safe level of that fine PM2.5 particulate air pollution in the Hunter."

"On that basis alone, the project should not have been approved."

Image credit: MACH Energy.

Mannering Park fish kill '"likely a natural event", says EPA

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Environment Protection Authority says the recent mass fish kill at Mannering Park in Lake Macquarie was likely a natural occurence.

They've found no significant pesticides, metals, or toxicity in the water, though results for nitrogen and phosphorus were above guidelines, meaning sediment might have been disrupted.

EPA Director Regulatory Operations David Gathercole says the results, along with analysis of weather conditions at the time, indicate the most likely cause of the deaths was from a combination of factors.

"The bay at Mannering Park has elevated temperatures compared to the rest of Lake Macquarie due to the cooling water discharges from Vales Point power station," Mr Gathercole said. 

"A range of fish, including tropical fish, are attracted to the bay due to these higher temperatures. 

"The fish kill was preceded by cool nights in the first week of August and a shift to northerly winds, with the strongest winds on August 4. 

"This may have caused cold lake water to enter the bay and resulted in a turnover of the water column.

"If this was rapid enough it would have caused a disturbance of the sediments, which explains the high ammonium concentrations observed on August 5, and potentially the release of sulfides. 

"Our results suggest the combination of the temperature and sulfide stress likely overwhelmed fish, acclimatized to higher temperatures."

The EPA's now installed a smart buoy at Wyee Point for ongoing monitoring in the lake.

The dead fish have since been removed by Council. 

Port Stephens spruiking the city's solar future with panel program

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Port Stephens Council is set to install new solar panels on 14 community buildings as part of its effort to become carbon neutral by 2025.

The solar photovoltatic systems are expected to slash Council's energy bills by $91,920 each year and cut energy usage by 25 percent.

Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer says it'll make a huge difference to the city's environmental footprint.

"The installation of these solar photovoltaic systems on community buildings across Port Stephens is part of our broader commitment to driving sustainability through investment in renewable energy options," he said.

"We aren’t immune to the impacts of climate change. Increased sea level rise, intensity and frequency of storms, plus bushfire and rainfall patterns, are challenging the way we manage our environment."

"We recognise the role we have as a community leader in environmental sustainability and minimising the environmental impacts of our facilities - with these small changes, we hope to start making a big difference."

The buildings to benefit include four sports complexes, all three aquatic centres, the Visitor Information Centre, the Nelson Bay Depot, and Fingal Bay Surf Club. 

Council already has solar systems set up at its Administration Building, Raymond Terrace library, Tomaree library, community centres linked to Rural Fire Service stations, and the Salamander Waste Transfer Station.

The panels are expected to be up and running by mid-August.

Rutherford Truegain site set for $20 million remediation

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The highly-contaminated Truegain oil refinery site at Rutherford is set to be demolished and remediated, after the State Government acquired the site.

It's estimated, the cleanup costs will total $20 million.

The project will happen in two stages, with waste removal and the demolition of structures to happen first, before soil and groundwater remediation.

Works are expected to begin soon.

Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison says the community is welcoming the news.

"After five Environment Ministers under this Government, we've finally got a situation where the polluter is not in control of the site and the Government has made a commitment that they will remediate it," she said.

"The sad thing about this is that it took so long for the Government to take action on the site - and we're talking decades - it's meant that the cost of the cleanup will be massive."

Truegain Director Robert Pullinger was convicted and fined, ordered to pay $1.2 million to help cover the cost of the cleanup, but declared bankruptcy in October last year.

It's not clear how much the Government paid for the site, or if some or all of the cost will be covered by the company's outstanding financial obligations.

Criminal proceedings around Mr Pullinger's failure to comply with a cleanup notice and a prohibition notice issued by the Environment Minister are still before the Land and Environment Court.

The Truegain site at Rutherford.

New energy data suggests Kurri Kurri gas plant doesn't add up

BY DAKOTA TAIT

New data has put a damper on the recently-approved Kurri Kurri gas plant project, with concern it doesn't add up in the wider energy picture.

The Climate Council found gas contributed just 1.5 percent of the State's energy in 2021, the lowest level in 15 years.

Renewable sources, however, supplied 24.6 percent, or almost a quarter of the energy generated in New South Wales.

Across Australia, renewables provided five times as much power as gas.

The Climate Council's Greg Bourne, a former BP Australasia President, says the Hunter Power Project doesn't make sense from either a commercial or environmental point of view.

"It really doesn't stack up, and many people have actually said, this does not make commercial sense and it's more sort of driven by the politics and so on," Mr Bourne said.

"What we're seeing everywhere, is gas as a percentage in the mix, going down and down and down."

"What we think logically should be happening, and we're seeing it elsewhere as well, is more batteries, more storage, more hydro power, virtual power plants, and demand management, doing what is needed as we go forward."

"So our belief is that Kurri Kurri need not go ahead."

The Federal Government has long insisted the Kurri Kurri plant is necessary for both long-term energy supply and affordability with the closure of Liddell Power Station in 2023.

Labor also said their government would endorse the project, if it began operation on 30 percent hydrogen, after opposing the project for years.

But Mr Bourne says both the Government and the Opposition need to look toward the future.

"If you build Kurri Kurri with turbines that basically can only take a small amount of hydrogen, then pretty sure, the plant is going to be redundant and obsolete almost before it's built," Mr Bourne said.

"If you build it, so that it is completely ready for up to 100 percent hydrogen or hydrogen plus biogas, then it may be useful, and that's actually a commercial decision."

The data comes as AGL says its Bayswater Power Plant could close as early as 2030, due to pressures over emissions and the rise of renewable sources. 

It's announced a three year closure window between the end of the decade and 2033, despite previously aiming to shut its doors in 2035. 

Hunter koalas hoping for lifeline in Federal funding

BY DAKOTA TAIT

It's hoped the Hunter will get a share in a $10 million funding stream to protect endangered koalas on the East Coast.

It's part of a larger $50 million package launched by the Federal Government.

There's concern development and habitat loss, such as at the Brandy Hill quarry expansion, are pushing local populations to the brink.

Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley says the Commonwealth's committed to keeping the species thriving.

"When we restore and invest in koala habitat, it makes sense to do it where the koala trees are, where the corridors are," Ms Ley said.

"Where there are strong areas of habitat and we can actually act on a landscape scale."

Liberal Candidate for Paterson Brooke Vitnell is urging the Government to get behind efforts to protect habitats in Port Stephens.

Ms Ley didn't confirm money will flow into local programs, though they will be eligible.

Oakvale Wildlife Park owner Kent Sansom says they could do with the support, especially as the region bounces back from COVID.

"Obviously, we took a big hit internationally," Mr Sansom said. "We lost all our international visitors at the park."

"But local support has been incredible. Obviously, people can't travel overseas, so everyone just wants to get out, and what better place to get out than in your local environment and to be outside and pat animals, be educated about wildlife, and have fun doing it."

Oakvale's Tiny Tim met reporters on Monday morning.

Newcastle's Lord Mayoral candidates split on pledge to protect Link Road forests

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Four of the six candidates for Lord Mayor of Newcastle have pledged not to develop land along the Newcastle Link Road at Wallsend if they're elected this weekend.

Current Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes, Greens councillor and candidate John Mackenzie, the Socialist Alliance's Steve O'Brien, and Independent Rod Holding have all supported the push to protect the site.

A number of councillors have also backed their ticket leaders in making the pledge.

Newcastle Independents councillor John Church and Liberal candidate Jenny Barrie haven't as yet backed the calls. 

The Save the Link Road Forest campaign says the proposed housing development would threaten almost 600 hectares of land along the green corridor.

The land, owned by Eden Estates, could have enough space for 4000 new houses.

71 percent of the land is in the Newcastle Local Government Area.

Spokesperson Ian McKenzie says rezoning and clearing the forest would be devastating for the environment.

"Anything that isn't already approved, we should be thinking really seriously about and it shouldn't be going ahead," Mr McKenzie said.

"The basis for the pledge is that it's ecologically unsustainable, both on grounds of climate change and biodiversity."

Developers have stated their hopes for a balanced approach to the site's future.

But Mr McKenzie says it's something to think about at the ballot box on Saturday.

"We're optimistic that there may be a majority of the council that have signed the pledge," Mr McKenzie said.

"If you care about our forests, if you care about the future of the planet for our grandchildren, and their grandchildren, think about it seriously and vote for those who have supported protecting the forest."

Anti-coal strike force facing criticism after raid on community environment group

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Officers with the newly established Strike Force Tuohy are under fire after a controversial raid on the Hunter Community Environment Centre on Friday afternoon.

Police searched the organisation's Hamilton North office following almost two weeks of anti-coal protests, seizing banners and corflutes from the address.

But the Environment Centre maintains it has no affiliation with Blockade Australia or the activists who are living in a sharehouse at the property.

Centre Coordinator Jo Lynch says they're hoping to come to a resolution with police.

"The Hunter Community Environment Centre doesn't have anything to do with those protests, and we're hoping that the police can discover that," Ms Lynch said.

"Unfortunately, with the search warrant, they took a lot of our gear and seized a lot of our stuff as evidence."

Shadow Minister for Climate Change Pat Conroy spoke to reporters earlier on Friday, condemning the protests across the Hunter.

But Ms Lynch says police are approaching things the wrong way.

"It's a bit of mistake on the police's behalf, a bit of an overreach," Ms Lynch said.

"And an assumption on their behalf that a lot of people have described as pretty shocking and unfair, and a little, an overreaction, certainly an overreaction."

Image credit: hcec.org.au

Hunter's Coal Industry Soul-Searching After United Nations Climate Change Report

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter's coal industry has been forced to do some serious soul-searching this week, after the release of a United Nations report calling for the end of fossil fuel usage amidst a "code red for humanity".

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found that billions of people would soon be at risk due to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and a prospective global temperature increase of 1.5 degrees by 2040.

Despite the findings, the Federal Government have maintained they will continue to support the fossil fuel sector to meet a rising coal demand in coming decades.

Shortland MP and Shadow Minister Assisting for Climate Change Pat Conroy says the report should be a "wake-up call". 

"It's very sober reading, it's depressing quite frankly," Mr Conroy said.

"But the good news is that the report makes it very clear that it's not too late for humans to arrest this global warming, and arrest and avoid the worst impacts of climate change."

"There is still hope, but it needs the world to take a concerted action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions."

The Opposition has faced its own internal strife about climate change policy, with Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon playing down the country's contributions to global emissions, and Paterson MP Meryl Swanson calling for a measured approach to preserve local jobs.

But Mr Conroy says the lack of action isn't just bad for the environment, but a poor business decision too. 

"We're missing out on these huge economic opportunities of the new industries that are being created to help decarbonise the world," Mr Conroy said.

"We're missing out on electric vehicle manufacturing, battery manufacturing on a significant scale, and all the other industries."

"There's a huge economic opportunity if we take action on climate change, and a huge cost if we don't."

Mass Galah Death Raises Alarm Over Mouse Poison

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

Bird experts are warning against mouse baits which are set to be distributed across the Hunter Valley, for fears wildlife could die in large numbers.

BirdLife Australia, the Difficult Research Bird Group from the Australian National University and researchers at Edith Cowan University are again calling for regulators to prevent the distribution of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGAR) in mass quantities, as part of the NSW government’s mouse plague response. 

The government plans to distribute up to 10,000 litres of bromadiolone, a SGAR which is highly toxic to birds and other wildlife and causes internal bleeding. 

BirdLife Australia Urban Birds Program Manager, Holly Parsons, said where experts were already concerned with the effect of the chemicals on birds of prey, the latest mass galah deaths indicate the impact it may have on seed-eating birds who may ingest the poison by feeding on laced grains. 

"Scenes of piles of dead galahs are heart-breaking, but even more concerning is the prospect that these poisons could push an endangered bird species closer to extinction," she said. 

Parsons hopes the government will choose to hand out alternative pesticides in consideration of species such as the Superb Parrot, a threatened bird with less than 8000 individuals left. 

"There are a range of poisons that are available that are far less likely to have an impact. We have what are called "first-generation rodenticides", which are much less likely to impact other wildlife as they break down quite quickly. There is also a product called zinc phosphide, which is specifically designed to be used on a broad scale in these kind of situations." 

Image Credit: 7News

COMMUNITY RALLIES AGAINST AUSGRID TREE PRUNING

BY BELLA MIDDLETON 

A community petition has been launched through State Parliament against the tree pruning being undertaken by Ausgrid around powerlines across Newcastle. 

The energy utility has a history of severe cutbacks of street trees, removing majority of the leafy growth and cutting holes in the trees canopy for powerlines to pass. 

The petition calls for the State Government to direct Ausgrid to review their pruning policies, investigate the installation of aerial bundled cables, and engage and consult with the local community regarding pruning expectations. 

State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp has endorsed the petition for listing in the Parliament.

"Not only does the pruning often look unsightly, we also lose the urban cooling benefits street trees provide and the risk of tree failure increases," said MP Crakanthorp.

"The current pruning practices under powerlines are not meeting the community's or my expectations."

"This can be done so much better, and the NSW Government needs to step up to make this happen." 

Petitioner Matthew Mooney said that energy companies such as Ausgrid need to show they have an environmental and social conscience. 

"There's a climate change conversation happening at every dinner table around the country, yet we've got energy companies tearing down our suburban forest," said Mr. Mooney.

"When people see that the place they call home has had their trees vandalized in this way, it's an emotional thing."

The petition can be found State Parliament's website and will be open for three months. 

                                                              Picture Credit: Ausgrid