Community Calls For Rejection Of Vales Point Exemption

BY EL FITCHETT

The Lake Macquarie community is calling on the NSW Environmental Protection Authority to reject a new emissions exemption for the Vales Point power station, and bring it back in line with state standards.

The power station, owned by Delta Electricity, emits almost double the New South Wales emissions limit.

Vales Point holds a 10 year exemption under the Clean Air Act, which allows it to exceed emission limits for nitrogen oxide small particles and sulphur dioxide. The exemption is due to expire at the end of 2020, and Delta Electricity would need to lodge a new application before the end of the year to continue producing at current levels.

Local community group Future Sooner is concerned about the effect of the power station on health in Lake Macquarie, and is lobbying the NSW EPA to oppose any new applications.

"Up to 6 per cent of the children with asthma aged two to 14 living on the Central Coast and Lake Macquarie, have asthma that can be linked to toxic air pollution spewing out of local coal-burning power stations," Future Sooner spokesperson Will Belford said.

Estimates by the University of Newcastle's Dr. Ben Ewald show 320 children in Lake Macquarie have asthma due to nitrogen exposure from power stations.

"We've accepted for years that this is the cost of doing business and producing electricity, but there's a growing dissatisfaction with the toll we have to pay in terms of health," Mr. Belford said.

Future Sooner wants the EPA to impose changes on Delta Electricity to reduce pollution to best practice levels by refusing to grant a new five year exemption.

"If the EPA don't grant the license then Delta Electricity have got to reduce the output from 1500 milligrams to 800, which would require some kind of technical solution in the power station," Mr. Belford said.

The Federal Government announced in it's October Budget $8.7 million in funding for upgrades at the power station aimed at reducing emissions, improving reliability, and providing an additional 30 mega watts of dispatchable energy to the market. 

However, Mr. Belford thinks that's unlikely, given Vales Point is due to be decommissioned in 2028.

"They wont particularly want to make investments in reducing the pollution at this point, but that's an assumption, we don't know whether it's definitely going to close in 8 years or not," he said.

Despite uncertainty around the future of Vales Point, Future Sooner believes the NSW EPA has a rare opportunity to ensure clean air across the Hunter.

"They have an opportunity here to show some good faith, demonstrate best practice, and make sure that in the last 8 years of operation this station it's polluting at acceptable levels," Mr. Belford said.

Vales Point Power Station Image Wikipedia

Senate Inquiry into PFAS contamination underway in Williamtown

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE AND JARROD MELMETH

Williamtown residents living in the red zone will have the chance to address an inquiry into the federal government’s management of PFAS contamination in and around defence bases.

More than 50 residents are in attendance at the hearing in Williamtown where residents, action groups, politicians and a former RAAF Base Commander will be given time to speak to the committee panel.

President of the Fullerton Cove Residents Action Group, Lindsay Clout said while it is a step forward it has taken far too long to get here.

"It is just another indication of the disconnected and sloppy approach that has been taken so far. The federal government have not been treating it seriously and they need to get their act together. Today is a huge step for us to give them that information so that they can get their act together," Mr Clout said. 

The inquiry has received 64 submissions from residents and health experts as well as local, state and federal representatives, but only eight people who submitted have been given the opportunity to speak at the hearing. 

Mr Clout said he understands the time constraints on the committee if everyone was invited to speak.

"It is certainly difficult to cater for everyone, so what they have done is provided a cross-section. They have read through the 60-odd submissions and then chosen a mix so that the committee can hear from both our action group and from individuals," Mr Clout said.

In a submission to the inquiry, Williamtown resident, Michelle Sansom said she is "extremely upset" that the land where she grew up and has "an emotional attachment to" is now a contaminated wasteland "due to the carelessness of the RAAF Base." 

Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon, who is sitting on the Committee said Williamtown has borne the brunt of the government's inaction  and neglect for too long.

Residents living and working near the Williamtown RAAF base were warned by the New South Wales Environment Protection Authority in September 2015 that elevated levels of toxic chemicals had been found in the surrounding areas. Since this time over 90 PFAS sites have been identified around the country. 

Tuesday's inquiry into PFAS contamination at Williamtown.
Photo: Kate Washington.

Lead and Cyanide found on former Waratah Gasworks site

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It's the last thing you'd want to know is in the soil of your property, but dangerous substances including lead and cyanide have been found on properties above the Waratah gasworks.

An 11-month investigation was undertaken by Newcastle City Council with a report based on an "independent cohesive review" is expected to be released in the coming weeks. It will be subject to a review by the Site Auditor, NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and Hunter New England Local Health District (HNELHD).

It's understood about 20 properties bound by Turton, Georgetown and Ellis Roads could be affected.

The investigations were announced earlier this year by council. The plan was to take approximately 200 soil, vapour and groundwater samples which were tested for a wide range of substances associated with the former gasworks.

The Waratah gasworks operated in the late 19th and early 20th century. There isn't thought to be an airborne risk when it comes to the chemicals because the site has been decommissioned since the 1920s.

In the meantime, residents can minimise their risk of coming into contact with the substances by avoiding direct contact with shallow soil.

Image newcastle.nsw.gov.au