Mod 1 - Extend Approval Lapsing Date

I wish to lodge my objection to AGL's proposed extension of time for the commencement of work on the proposed gas fired power plant project at Dalton (DPP), NSW. AGL have not provided sufficient cause for extension.

The community distrusts them. This has been acknowledged by the Department of Planning who noted AGL's appalling community consultation.

AGL have not supplied adequate time for an appropriate response.

AGL will rely on an Environmental Assessment that is 7 years old and does not include recent discoveries including the population of endangered Southern Pygmy Perch in Oolong Creek less than a few kilometres from the proposed construction.

This is a new proposal and needs a new assessment. AGL received its original approval under legislation repealed in 2011 after a corruption scandal that brought down the then NSW government. By repealing this legislation, the NSW Government acknowledged corrupt and unfair practices, such as undisclosed political donations made during the assessment of the original Dalton proposal and for which AGL have been convicted and fined. Hence it may be argued that the original assessment and approval were made under a defective head of authority which does not provide a legitimate basis for the project.

The rate of development of battery and alternative generating technologies is such that in two years' time a gas-fired generator may well be obsolete and, if built, a stranded asset.

AGL would appear to be pursuing a flawed and obsolescent if not obsolete business model. The whole-of-life cost of this project to the government and citizens of NSW may be an impediment to growth in this state. This proposed development is at odds with the electricity market now and in the future.

Finally the construction of this power plant will close down the business of Vince & Janet Heffernan at "Moorlands" Dalton who supply me and my family lamb. I object to this loss and this destruction of their business.

Thank you

I wish to Object to the Dalton Power Plant MOD1. By attending both the Dalton Community Meeting which was arrange by AGL and the ULSC council meeting with the last week, I like many other that were present, witness how big companies can just come in and lie about what they are doing and destroy a town. We bought land in Dalton and were never told with all the searches that were done that we would be having a Gas fire power plant on our door set.
We like many others new to town have built a new home worth over $500,000 plus the land value, this will end up being worth nothing if this plant goes ahead. Listening to Tony from AGL talk tonight at the council meeting he just had the uttermost contempt for the Councillors and the community which turned up and they could not even explain why they have left it to the last minute to apply for an extra time and why they have never had any community interaction over the last 5 years as they promised they would.
This Power Plant should not go ahead as this is a great town which is growing each month with new families like my own moving here for the country life.

This proposal must be STOPPED. There is no justification to establish such a power station in this location.

The AGL proposed project at Dalton should not go ahead because it will threaten the whole ambience of Dalton/Gunning, which is why so many either choose to stay or buy into the area.
The proposal was actually to extend the period of the construction by two years. Considering that there seems to be no date for acting on, and concluding, the original proposal why would it be necessary to need an extension?
Also it is ridiculous to situate it in an earthquake zone (we also have a gas pipeline going through the whole area).
The air pollution tests carried out for the proposal were done at Goulburn (about 60km from Dalton, 50 from Gunning).
There were too many unanswered questions last Friday night and what looked like too many opportunities for terms to be changed according to AGL's wishes at a later date.
Also there has been very little, or no, communication with anybody from the area since the first mention five years ago.
Another point is that whilst there will be some employment benefits to the community during the construction period, after that there will be 6-8 blow-ins operating the project. Where's the employment for the community in that?
Another point causing some ire was that the young fellow doing the talking (Tony) was unaware of too many details, eg. where the air tests were done, how long it had been since there had been any communication with the community, how very little communication there had been, that Dalton is an earthquake area with a gas pipeline running through it. Surely if they want to spend $1.2 billion on it it should warrant the attention of somebody who was on the case from the beginning.

I wish to lodge my objection to AGL's proposed extension of time for the commencement of work on the proposed gas fired power plant project at Dalton (DPP), NSW. AGL have not provided sufficient cause for extension.

The community distrusts them. This has been acknowledged by the Department of Planning who noted AGL's appalling community consultation.

AGL have not supplied adequate time for an appropriate response.

AGL will rely on an Environmental Assessment that is 7 years old and does not include recent discoveries including the population of endangered Southern Pygmy Perch in Oolong Creek less than a few kilometres from the proposed construction.

This is a new proposal and needs a new assessment. AGL received its original approval under legislation repealed in 2011 after a corruption scandal that brought down the then NSW government. By repealing this legislation, the NSW Government acknowledged corrupt and unfair practices, such as undisclosed political donations made during the assessment of the original Dalton proposal and for which AGL have been convicted and fined. Hence it may be argued that the original assessment and approval were made under a defective head of authority which does not provide a legitimate basis for the project.

The rate of development of battery and alternative generating technologies is such that in two years' time a gas-fired generator may well be obsolete and, if built, a stranded asset.

AGL would appear to be pursuing a flawed and obsolescent if not obsolete business model. The whole-of-life cost of this project to the government and citizens of NSW may be an impediment to growth in this state. This proposed development is at odds with the electricity market now and in the future.

Finally the construction of this power plant will close down the business of Vince & Janet Heffernan at "Moorlands" Dalton who supply me and my family lamb. I object to this loss and this destruction of their business.

Thank you

I moved my family to Dalton 3 years ago, we purchase 530 acres. We have invested hundreds of thousand of dollars to give ourselves and our children a better future. At that time of purchase I was aware of the past application from AGL to build a gas fired power station. I was told that AGL were not going ahead with the proposed plan. We were very happy about that and therefore had no concerns about Dalton being the place we would call home and raise our children.

The recent application from AGL putting the power plant back on their agenda has caused me and my family a great amount stress.
I am concerned that the value of my property will decrease, we cant afford for our property value to decrease.
AGL have not been able to answer what the full extent of the health impacts will be on my family and that alone is so concerning. AGL cant answer what impact this could have on us, our livestock, our wool quality. our business. We have invested everything we have in to our farm. This power plant will destroy us. I am so concerned for the future for my family and the Dalton community.

Please don't allow AGL to build this power plant.

Yours sincerely
Hannah Hewitt



Why

I

I wish to lodge my objection to AGL's proposed extension of time for the commencement of work on the proposed gas fired power plant project at Dalton (DPP), NSW. AGL have not provided sufficient cause for extension.

The community distrusts them. This has been acknowledged by the Department of Planning who noted AGL's appalling community consultation.

AGL have not supplied adequate time for an appropriate response.

AGL will rely on an Environmental Assessment that is 7 years old and does not include recent discoveries including the population of endangered Southern Pygmy Perch in Oolong Creek less than a few kilometres from the proposed construction.

This is a new proposal and needs a new assessment. AGL received its original approval under legislation repealed in 2011 after a corruption scandal that brought down the then NSW government. By repealing this legislation, the NSW Government acknowledged corrupt and unfair practices, such as undisclosed political donations made during the assessment of the original Dalton proposal and for which AGL have been convicted and fined. Hence it may be argued that the original assessment and approval were made under a defective head of authority which does not provide a legitimate basis for the project.

The rate of development of battery and alternative generating technologies is such that in two years' time a gas-fired generator may well be obsolete and, if built, a stranded asset.

AGL would appear to be pursuing a flawed and obsolescent if not obsolete business model. The whole-of-life cost of this project to the government and citizens of NSW may be an impediment to growth in this state. This proposed development is at odds with the electricity market now and in the future.

Finally the construction of this power plant will close down the business of Vince & Janet Heffernan at "Moorlands" Dalton who supply me and my family lamb. I object to this loss and this destruction of their business.

Thank you

I wish to lodge my objection to AGL's proposed extension of time for the commencement of work on the proposed gas fired power plant project at Dalton (DPP), NSW. AGL have not provided sufficient cause for extension.

The community distrusts them. This has been acknowledged by the Department of Planning who noted AGL's appalling community consultation in the first application. AGL first met with people of Dalton on 29th March 2017. Few questions were answered with detail or to the satisfaction of the questioners. I like many had no notice of their intentions to seek an extension. They have clearly been working on this extension for months if not more than a year yet at NO time spoke with or consulted the community. ANY suggestions that they genuinely wish to work with the community MUST be met with contempt. They have no desire to inform us or communicate with us other than to 'tick a box'. Their tactics can be summed up as 'lets see if we can sneak it through'. Not appropriate. Not good enough. Totally inadequate. This is a bad company. The people running their community consultation may be the worst people at their job in the known universe - Tony Chappel is the person in charge - pathetic. It is arrogant to take the community for granted. It is disrespectful and reveals an insight into the character of Mr Chappel and further to that of AGL management and the AGL Board that they allow such a person to represent them. They assume we are worth less than them and our needs are less important than their profit. I disagree.

AGL have not supplied adequate time for an appropriate response. [see above]

AGL will rely on an Environmental Assessment that is 7 years old and does not include recent discoveries including the population of endangered Southern Pygmy Perch in Oolong Creek less than a few kilometres from the proposed construction. It also does not fully allow for migratory patterns of birds like Lathams Snipe, Superb Parrots, Restless Flycatchers, Rainbow Bee Eaters and Dollar Birds. Survey work was carried out at time these birds are not in the district. (Was this deliberate? given the distrust we must have for a law breaking company like AGL, it can be assumed to be - a way to better the Department of Planning). The EA must be re-done. Anything less than that is a gross violation of the needs of the Environment.

This is a new proposal and needs a new assessment. AGL received its original approval under legislation repealed in 2011 after a corruption scandal that brought down the then NSW government. By repealing this legislation, the NSW Government acknowledged corrupt and unfair practices, such as undisclosed political donations made during the assessment of the original Dalton proposal and for which AGL have been convicted and fined. Hence it may be argued that the original assessment and approval were made under a defective head of authority which does not provide a legitimate basis for the project.

The rate of development of battery and alternative generating technologies is such that in two years' time a gas-fired generator may well be obsolete and, if built, a stranded asset.

AGL would appear to be pursuing a flawed and obsolescent if not obsolete business model. The whole-of-life cost of this project to the government and citizens of NSW may be an impediment to growth in this state. This proposed development is at odds with the electricity market now and in the future.

Finally the construction of this power plant will personally impact my family's farm and our business and my future prosperity. It will be a personal tragedy if it proceeds.

Submission AGL Dalton power project 2017: Request to extend Lapse Date

"The DPP was designated as critical infrastructure."

I oppose AGL being granted an extension to the lapse date of the Dalton Power Project.

The Dalton Power Project was originally pedalled as `critical infrastructure' until it became apparent that it wasn't going to produce the profits that AGL had anticipated.
The project was then shelved, demonstrating that it was never `critical infrastructure' as claimed but purely profit driven.

AGL will have had five years to decide whether this project was going to be profitable or not and they are still undecided? They want to hedge their bets at the community's expense and they have had long enough.

In the meanwhile, residents and business folk have had to live with the stress, pain and confusion created by this uncertainty over the last five years and this uneasiness permeates throughout the very fabric of our community.
Should we invest time and money in our properties and businesses? Or try to sell out and relocate, hoping to dodge yet another cancer-cluster such as what occurred at Port Augusta [so much for Australian air quality standards]?

And, if extended, who says AGL won't apply for a further extension in two years time?

As a result of AGL creating a new weather pattern for the area to allay the fears of Gunning residents who are directly downwind of the predominate north westerly winds and sitting in the first drop zone for the toxic fallout of the exhaust plume, AGL were directed to install weather monitoring equipment on the site.

Wind farm developers will install multiple weather masts across their sites in order to monitor real-time wind direction and velocities. These stations are installed at the same height as the intended working blades of the wind tower.

Why wasn't the weather station on AGL's site installed at the anticipated exhaust stack height which would give a true indication of real wind speed and direction rather than in a gully as has been reported?
Why was this considered acceptable?

Regards,
Chris Morgan

I wish to lodge my objection to AGL's proposed extension of time for the commencement of work on the proposed gas fired power plant project at Dalton (DPP), NSW. AGL have not provided sufficient cause for extension.
The community distrusts them. This has been acknowledged by the Department of Planning who noted AGL's appalling community consultation.
AGL have not supplied adequate time for an appropriate response.
AGL will rely on an Environmental Assessment that is 7 years old and does not include recent discoveries including the population of endangered Southern Pygmy Perch in Oolong Creek less than a few kilometres from the proposed construction.
This is a new proposal and needs a new assessment. AGL received its original approval under legislation repealed in 2011 after a corruption scandal that brought down the then NSW government. By repealing this legislation, the NSW Government acknowledged corrupt and unfair practices, such as undisclosed political donations made during the assessment of the original Dalton proposal and for which AGL have been convicted and fined. Hence it may be argued that the original assessment and approval were made under a defective head of authority which does not provide a legitimate basis for the project.
The rate of development of battery and alternative generating technologies is such that in two years' time a gas-fired generator may well be obsolete and, if built, a stranded asset.
AGL would appear to be pursuing a flawed and obsolescent if not obsolete business model. The whole-of-life cost of this project to the government and citizens of NSW may be an impediment to growth in this state. This proposed development is at odds with the electricity market now and in the future.
Finally the construction of this power plant will close down the business of Vince & Janet Heffernan at "Moorlands" Dalton who supply me and my family lamb. I object to this loss and this destruction of their business.
Thank you

"a trusted and respected member of the communities in which we operate"

I oppose AGL being granted an extension to the lapse date of the Dalton Power Project.
The application inspires little confidence and suggests AGL is playing their usual game.

The false and misleading claims contained within the original application highlight this as does the recent $124,000 fine in the Land and Environment Court in January 2017.
Only through word of mouth did we hear of this MOD 1 exhibition period for submissions and the subsequent AGL Dalton hall meeting, there being no obvious attempt by AGL to inform residents.

AGL may seek to "be a trusted and respected member of the communities in which we operate" but they never will be, as they have done too much damage already.

Reading AGL's current application shows that nothing has changed, particularly with regards to the use of weasel-worded statements
For example. The GE powered station was to be unstaffed apart from a cleaner, however, now it needs 5-10 employees once operational? Doing what and where? Axial compressor gas turbine technicians? Or security guards to keep the local peasants under control? Or to staff the control centre at Bright?
Vague, meaningless words.

Regarding Mr Bean's comment on page 4 of the application:
"The DPP is consistent with government policy favouring private sector investment in electricity generation,....."
It is this very policy that has resulted in the energy crisis that the country is now experiencing.
Profit driven, resulting in high energy costs with inferior quality componentry and substandard maintenance, all leading to significant reliability problems.

Regarding the often repeated statement claiming that the DPP can "place downward pressure on electricity prices...."
How? Gas is universally recognised as the most expensive means of generating electricity.

From the media:
"Energy prices, both electricity and gas, are highly likely to undergo sustained upward pressure across the eastern states over the next few years" UBS said. The Weekend Australian, April 8-9, 2017 Page 26.

It is not clear what the claimed renewed `community engagement' is supposed to achieve......it doesn't really matter what AGL say or do.
The station will still be a massive blot-on-the-landscape. It will still produce billions of tonnes of greenhouse gases, toxic nitrogen oxides, inhalable particulate matter and BTEX carcinogens that will contaminate everyone and everything around Gunning, Dalton and Yass.
It will still use vast quantities of our scarce water, and its roar will dominate the surrounding landscape.
None of this changes.

In the words of Jack Russell:
"A turd, no matter how well polished, is still a turd."

Regards,
Chris Morgan

NOTE: This has been resent as I think I mucked up the first one.

Submission AGL Dalton power project 2017: Request to extend Lapse Date

"The DPP was designated as critical infrastructure."

I oppose AGL being granted an extension to the lapse date of the Dalton Power Project.

The Dalton Power Project was originally pedalled as `critical infrastructure' until it became apparent that it wasn't going to produce the profits that AGL had anticipated.
The project was then shelved, demonstrating that it was never `critical infrastructure' as claimed but purely profit driven.

AGL will have had five years to decide whether this project was going to be profitable or not and they are still undecided? They want to hedge their bets at the community's expense and they have had long enough.

In the meanwhile, residents and business folk have had to live with the stress, pain and confusion created by this uncertainty over the last five years and this uneasiness permeates throughout the very fabric of our community.
Should we invest time and money in our properties and businesses? Or try to sell out and relocate, hoping to dodge yet another cancer-cluster such as what occurred at Port Augusta [so much for Australian air quality standards]?

And, if extended, who says AGL won't apply for a further extension in two years time?

As a result of AGL creating a new weather pattern for the area to allay the fears of Gunning residents who are directly downwind of the predominate north westerly winds and sitting in the first drop zone for the toxic fallout of the exhaust plume, AGL were directed to install weather monitoring equipment on the site.

Wind farm developers will install multiple weather masts across their sites in order to monitor real-time wind direction and velocities. These stations are installed at the same height as the intended working blades of the wind tower.

Why wasn't the weather station on AGL's site installed at the anticipated exhaust stack height which would give a true indication of wind speed and direction rather than in a gully as has been reported?
Why was this considered acceptable?

Regards,
Chris Morgan

We file this submission against AGL's request for an extension of two years to make a decision whether or not to build a gas power plant in Dalton, NSW.

The reasons being:-
(a) There needs to be a new environmental assessment put forward. Things change quite significantly if the land is left unstocked or stocked lightly. There has been five to seven years since the last one. New flora and fauna grows and moves in and I have seen this on our own land.
(b) The road from Gunning to Dalton especially the historic railway bridge will not sustain the heavy semi trailers travelling on this road. There is also a local school bus travelling this road which will pose danger to the children due to the condition and width of the road.
(c) This area is an earthquake zone and even last year there were significant earthquakes around the area where AGL are proposing to build the gas power plant. We believe if there is any possibility of danger it should not be built.
(d) AGL DOES NOT consult with the community and DOES NOT care what we think or what happens environmentally. Their first and only concern is the dollars and that is why they want an extension, is to see if it will be viable financially. They had had five years to make this decision and I think that is long enough.
Therefore, due to the above reasons we OBJECT to AGL's extension of time to decide if they want to build a gas power plant.

Yours faithfully
Neil & Deidre Roche

I wish to lodge my objection to AGL's proposed extension of time for the commencement of work on the proposed gas fired power plant project at Dalton (DPP), NSW. AGL have not provided sufficient cause for extension.

The community distrusts them. This has been acknowledged by the Department of Planning who noted AGL's appalling community consultation.

AGL have not supplied adequate time for an appropriate response.

AGL will rely on an Environmental Assessment that is 7 years old and does not include recent discoveries including the population of endangered Southern Pygmy Perch in Oolong Creek less than a few kilometres from the proposed construction.

This is a new proposal and needs a new assessment. AGL received its original approval under legislation repealed in 2011 after a corruption scandal that brought down the then NSW government. By repealing this legislation, the NSW Government acknowledged corrupt and unfair practices, such as undisclosed political donations made during the assessment of the original Dalton proposal and for which AGL have been convicted and fined. Hence it may be argued that the original assessment and approval were made under a defective head of authority which does not provide a legitimate basis for the project.

The rate of development of battery and alternative generating technologies is such that in two years' time a gas-fired generator may well be obsolete and, if built, a stranded asset.

AGL would appear to be pursuing a flawed and obsolescent if not obsolete business model. The whole-of-life cost of this project to the government and citizens of NSW may be an impediment to growth in this state. This proposed development is at odds with the electricity market now and in the future.

Finally the construction of this power plant will close down the business of Vince & Janet Heffernan at "Moorlands" Dalton who supply me and my family lamb. I object to this loss and this destruction of their business.

Thank you

I ask the NSW Department of Planning & Environment to refuse the application from AGL regarding the extension of time for the commencement of works. (Mod 1 project Dalton Gas fired power plant ) My family and I will be impacted by the power plant as it is less than 4 klms from our home and it will have an impact on our quality of life and health. We were unaware of this when We purchased our home 4.5 years ago now we live with the fear if the power station goes ahead our home will lose value , if any value is too remain . It has been put to our community by professional real estate agents , familiar with these circumstances that you can not put a figure on the loss as you simply will not get a buyer . So in all reality this means our homes are worth nothing .
I feel this is an unfair project with total disregard for our growing community , it will destroy our environment , our health , our community , assets , our farming industry and economy .
Local business will be affected as people won't want to come here , tourism will decline
Our mortgages will remain the same regardless , we work hard for what we have and this is heartbreaking .
I for one would not have invested knowing this .
I was not contacted directly by AGL , their lack of communication in five years is astounding .
Not even so much as a letter drop , they went to two businesses , dropped a stack of pamphlets expecting them to do their dirty work .
Our community heard about this via friends , not AGL .

I note that in this latest submission AGL are yet again promoting the fact that they have purchased a large "buffer" area of land and that the plant itself is only taking up a very small amount of that area. What they have failed to highlight is that the plant would be located on the side of the buffer zone CLOSEST to the town of Dalton. Many homes are within direct line of sight of the power plant and there is significant potential that the properties and homes within Dalton itself will be impacted by vibrations from the gas powered turbines as well as any emissions from the plant while it is operational.
AGL plan to access ground water supplies for water for the plant and as we also rely on ground water there remains a risk of overuse or contamination of the supplies.
It's also situated close to the Lachlan river where we have discovered a Pygmy perch .
Since AGL originally proposed the power plant at Dalton they have laid dormant for 5 years , not a word until now .
They fail to answer our questions and have total disrespect for our community and environment .
The data was not done independently if done at all , the aboriginal artefact data was inconclusive due to it not being done due to the person not showing up . So swept under the carpet amongst many other things .
The golden sun moth was not found due to them not looking in the correct months , it's only here at certain times of the year .
The weather recorded was from Goulburn airport , our weather is completely different to Goulburn this astounds me also .
They have taken no care in the past 5 years to contain or eliminate noxious weeds , therefore the possibility of contaminating near by residents .
Why now we ask , in my opinion it is to slip through the cracks before the laws change . With the laws and clauses available to them , this is easy but very corruptive at the same time .
They have proven to not only us but to the world that they are deceptive .
In the two meetings uncounted with them they have proven to be rude , deceitful and do not have any benefit to us only detrimental .
Like many rural communities Dalton's local primary producers have been doing it hard , our children are our future , what's ahead for them ? Rural properties both adjacent to or within the locality face impacts from vibrations and emissions from the plant. With a growing number of local farmers embracing bio-dynamic or organic methods the emissions from the AGL plant may have significant if not disastrous impact.
For my family And our community I desperately hope the application will be denied and we can finally start moving on with our lives without the threat of the possible build hanging over our,and our children's, heads for another two years.
I have noted that your submission form ask me to disclose political donation yet AGL were fined $124000 in January 2017 for failing to disclose political donations which DIRECTLY related to a number of projects including the Dalton Gas Powered Power Station!
It will increase traffic , they don't even know if there is gas in the lines and whether it will even be available to them . Therefore they will have to truck in gas in large amounts.
A lot has changed for our town in 5 years , we had an earthquake , we have discovered rare species , our population has grown , estimated investment total of 15 million in sales , erosion , climate change , growth in tourism well at least until this was all over social media and news .

It takes 10 years here to make $10000 profit on your home , now we will just lose .
I personally feel that there are too many inconsistencies in regards to data collected , we have a government funded conservation park , roughly two klms from the site , with many rare flora and fauna . How is this viable ? It contradicts , the government helps the park whilst they allow AGL to destroy it .
It will not create employment and our town doesn't need it anyway , there are very few that don't work maybe 4 on the dole , the rest work or are retired .
Maybe 3 that rent , the rest land holders .
Uranquinty power plant was smaller than this , where are the people now .
Forced from their homes ,
This can't go ahead !
At the extraordinary council meeting last night , they displayed how little they actually know , they would not disclose what was even to be constructed , just answered with the economy is right now , we want more time .
The mayor was not impressed or local councillors by his brush off answers ,
We really have no idea , what it is that is to go ahead .
They say this will feed Sydney , well put it there . We come here to get away from the smog and toxins that live amongst the people .
I have researched well into this with an opened mind , it does not have any benefits to us .
Clinical studies prove it alone increases the hospitalisation rate for asthmatics , so with a portion of our community being elderly what is to become of their health.
We are over 40 klms from any hospitals or health services .
We live with little resources but we appreciate what we have and we support each other and our local businesses
We are not asking for much , just fresh air , quality of life and a future and healthy lifestyle for our children .
Our rain water tanks will not be drinkable , our vegetable patches be contaminated .
We live for this healthy rural lifestyle yet we seem to have not been given choice to have it all taken from us .
Suicide concerns me greatly , farmers struggle to make ends meet at the best of time .
A couple of months back my husband on his way to work had found a local man that had cancer , who had shot himself in the head , suicide because he couldn't deal with the cancer .
We will have more of this I'm sure !
We will develop disease a lot earlier in life and as an asthmatic , I came here to breathe and get away from the triggers .
We have a very high static rate for suicide already .
I deal with many farmers as I work in the rural industry . they fear this.
We don't want to feel it , see it , hear it , smell it or die before retirement .
We don't want to see our community and town fade into thin air .
They are shutting coal mines , to benefit the environment yet allowing gas plants to continue , it's behind it the times and still harsh on our health and environment aswell as significantly dearer than renewable energy .
We are supported by our council , the greens , professors , university students , local politicians an the list goes on , why because they share the same concerns , we are not activists we are simply asking for what's right to protect us and our environment .
People are faced to lose not only their dreams , assets but their life .

Kind regards

I object to the application to extend the lapsing date of the approval for the AGL Dalton Power Project by 2 years.

I object to this application due to the proximity of residences, lack of current research into the environmental and aesthetic impacts, and belief that renewable energy is the only way forward in our current environmental situation.

I object to the application to extend the lapsing date of the approval for the AGL Dalton Power Project by 2 years.

We wish to object in the strongest possible terms to ALG's application to extend the current lapse date of the Dalton Power Project - MOD1. In particular, we oppose MOD2, which would give the company the chance to alter the original scope and design of the original approved proposal, due to lapse later this month.

W e are against the proposal for a potentially polluting gas-fired peaking power station so close to the hamlet of Dalton, less than 4 kms from town. The sickening effect - both visual and health-wise - of so close a monstrosity, defies description in terms of vibrations, noise, water pollution and air quality. Where we currently outlook to paddocks and stock, there would be a backdrop of gas-fired power station with all its mal-effects. The proposal is certainly not conducive to promoting long-term renewable energy opportunities, in line with rational thinking.

The hamlet of Dalton will suffer a strong negative socio-economic effect, after recent strides in population growth and employment. Forget the promised 250 workers for the period of construction, largely brought in/out externally. Once operative, the power station would operate on a skeletal staff of five. The economic impact of the station would therefore be negative.

Our quaint village heritage and charm will be altered forever, along with our growing tourism appeal. This is borne out by recent Upper Lachlan Shire figures which indicate that tourism constitutes the third-largest industry in the LGA. A megastructure so much in contrast to the pastoral, agricultural and much-loved native bio-diversity will decimate such great strides in visitor numbers.

To conclude, our family holds deep-seated concerns - indeed fears - for the future of our much-loved district should the AGL proposal MOD1 be approved. The thought of MOD2 fills us with even more dread. We will find ourselves sitting on our front verandah staring down at the gas-fired peaking power station structure, rather than the natural environment. The effect on the water supply that is essential for our cattle operation is of vital concern. Moreover, the effect on the value of the property cannot be under-estimated.

The sheer uncertainty upon our pristine local environment and all facets of the community - socio-economic, pastoral operations, native biodiversity, tourism - poses a unfair threat that would never be imposed on larger, more politically-powerful urban populations.

Aren't rural - dwellers, such as the people of Dalton, many of whom produce the primary industry so vital to Australia's economy, entitled to be heard, and their opinions respected, rather than penalised for being a minority, albeit the backbone of our nation?

DAVID DODDS
JOY DODDS
ALEX DODDS
GEORGINA DODDS
CATE DODDS
AIRLIE DODDS.

"Merremburn", Felled Timber Rd, Dalton. 0419206971/0418619259.

I strongly object to AGL being granted any extension or variation to current proposal.
AGL is requesting additional time to:
1. Consult with Community
2. Evaluate new technology
3. Review market conditions/ strategies and or
4. Lodge a more substantive project approval modification

Consultation and Distrust:
Where has AGL been for the last 5 years/ 7 years? AGL has certainly not been in communication with the community of Dalton.
AGL should have been proactively engaging the community of Dalton, instead AGL has simply shown their corporate ignorance and up until Wednesday April 5th have shown total disregard and have in fact ignored the community of Dalton.
AGL, through upcoming changes in legislation, in particular 3A, have realised that soon they will be obligated to communicate with the Dalton community. AGL didn't attend the meeting Wednesday night out of kindness, it was more out of necessity to prove to Government departments that "hey, it has taken us 5 - 7 years, but we have done it, tick the box. "AGL has communicated with the community of Dalton". Absolute rubbish.
During that meeting AGL apologised for having insufficient, then NO communication then onto "we did send out emails, letters". Emails were not answered, letters were returned to sender, phones not answered. Really, does AGL think that people are that stupid?
As a corporate identity, AGL's Directors and Board have obligations and not simply to shareholders, they have an obligation to have open, direct and honest conversation with effected people and communities and most important to respect the laws of the country.
What sort of organisation is AGL? Does a truly responsible organisation get fined for not declaring political donations? Donations appropriately made at just the right time. What of other concerns, such as inappropriate waste disposal and what of the other charges, court times that AGL has appeared in? 11 such appearances!!!!
Before granting any extension, try convincing yourself that AGL has done the right thing in respect to the people of Dalton and going forward will abide by recommendations/ rulings.
AGL states in their Community Engagement Policy that they seek to:
- Be a trusted and respected member of the communities in which we operate
- Engage beyond baseline regulatory requirements.
During the last 5-7 years when, where, how often have they met or exceeded their own policy?
I say to you, never.
When/ how was the Dalton community advised of AGL's extension request? Not by AGL, it was through the back door, a reporter. This is AGL showing all its true colours.

Noise:
The DPP will definitely generate noise. Our property is less than 2 k's (direct line) from the proposed site and is situated within a valley / amphitheatre that will transmit/ carry or indeed amplify the noise emanating from the plant.
What is noise?
We have Governments / experts view of what an acceptable noise level would be, 60 - 65 dBC.
Noise is proportionate to your location. If you lived in Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra or Goulburn no one would notice equipment generating 65dBC.
So what is noise to me?
Standing on my veranda at any time of day, noise to me is mostly - nothing!!! Not a sound - no vehicles, no road noise, no neighbours with loud music or arguing just the occasional bird, frog, sheep or cow. I am saturated with natural background noise.
A Turbine Generating Power Plant operating in my normal, quiet, peaceful environment will introduce a constant reverberating humming noise that I will notice and attune to immediately. Having responded to that noise, the noise will always be there. It will be inescapable.
It is not about limits, it is about your normal environment being interrupted by a foreign menace.
Will migrating or mating birds be affected?
Technology:
Technology changes every day. AGL didn't have to wait 5 years to take notice of developments, developments within their own expertise.
Yes power plants have closed, yes there is a need for expansion of power generation but the closure of those plants was inevitable. We live in an ever changing and developing world. Why allow AGL time to investigate changing technologies, they have had 5 - 7 years to do this.
What other technologies are available instead of Gas Turbine? There is now an opportunity to force AGL into investigating all technologies, including solar, wind, battery and even coal. Japan is claiming that they now have coal fired plants that are 45% more efficient. Wouldn't AGL be better off investing money into rebuilding / modifying existing old plants that are located directly upon their fuel load and existing infrastructures.
This would also ensure ongoing employment is maintained within these communities.
Environment:
If technologies have evolved in the last 5 years so too has the care and responsibility that communities have to the environment. The Environmental Assessment conducted 5 years ago is now out of date and no longer applicable, it was before local projects sponsored by the NSW Department of Environment and Heritage to protect the yellow spotted bell frog and pygmy perch were commenced in the area.
The world has changed and it is not appropriate to simply extend the lapse date beyond the time contemplated at the time of the project's approval. AGL has ignored the community, is incapable of being trusted to communicate honestly and certainly will ignore current environmental concerns such as the Pygmy Perch and yellow spotted bell frog.
AGL is a property owner, they have failed to control noxious weeds within their boundaries. What else will they ignore?
Our Water supply:
Where do most of the residents of Dalton get their water from? Rain, Rain. We collect it from our roofs and store it in water tanks. Dalton residents, same as every other resident that I know that lives out of major cities, have total respect and understanding of a water resource. We have to. This DPP will produce harmful emissions, those emissions will invariably affect our water supply and there has been little to no investigation that proves other wise.
The DPP will use water, water is used to improve the efficiency of the plant. A test was performed to verify the adequacy of supplying water from the water table. Seriously, this was a one off test, AGL claims that they verified that there was little to no significant problems with the local water table. They claimed to have knocked on the doors of near by residents that use bores. Do we know the names of those residents?
A substantive approval modification:
AGLs wants to significantly change the scope of the DPP and requires an extension of time to prepare and sell those changes to all concerned. However AGL cannot be trusted as their prior behaviour has shown.
Remember, "We must live through the future to know the past".
The community of Dalton has endured 5 years of uncertainty and silence from AGL and have witnessed first hand how AGL intends to deal with the future. While this MOD1 will not change the scope of the project, MOD2 is clearly already contemplated. A statement about no change to scope while technically correct is disingenuous ... not surprising in the circumstances.
Legislation gets changed for a reason, such as businesses and corporations not abiding by or working within given frameworks.
An extension will allow AGL to circumvent fair process. I understand that the legislation that the DPP is approved under is no longer in place, and that approval processes for a new project would be quite different. An extension therefore has the effect of avoiding the current processes (and associated checks, balances and transparency) that the government and the community consider to be appropriate for this type of project.
There will be a transition period, this ensures that companies that received planning approval and made genuine commitments and possibly commenced work are not disadvantaged. However, it is clear that that is not the case for AGL. No work has commenced and they are talking about delaying further to review, consult and in all likelihood apply for changes. An extension in these circumstances shows disregard for the reason the legislation was changed in the first place.
AGL is using an extension to make significant changes to the DPP, only history will tell us what those changes will be as AGL has no intentions of communicating/ sharing those changes with Government or the community of Dalton.
Therefore I ask you to deny this extension and force AGL to re - apply under the new legislation: Why?
1) There needs to be unrestricted and honest dialogue between the community, Government, AGL and all other interested parties.
2) A comprehensive environmental impact study needs to consider the survival of the yellow spotted bell frog, the pygmy perch, air quality within the valley of Dalton (not at Goulburn airport), our rain water supply and the effects of water withdrawal from the Artesian Basin.
3) The proposed location of the DPP, AGL has 500 acres available to them to locate the DPP, why not over the other side of the hill. Not in direct sight or sound or proximity to residences.
4) Legislation is changed for a reason, force AGL to work within the scopes of the new legislation, if they have nothing to hide there should be no arguable issue.
5) Allow other enterprises the opportunity to put a competing offer on the table (either in Dalton or elsewhere), and for any such competing offers to be evaluated. It is denying a level playing field, and it is denying NSW the opportunity to optimise investment decisions.
6) Conduct a thorough inspection of the proposed site for Aboriginal Artefacts and force consultation with traditional owners
7) Conduct a thorough and exhaustive test regime to prove to the community of Dalton that our rain water, table water and air quality will not be effected and that noise levels will maintain constant
8) If AGL is satisfied that what they are contemplating is in the best interests of NSW, Dalton and Australia then they should apply under the new legislation and process.
9) Remove the uncertainty that currently exists with in the community, property values
Let's learn from the past, Origin built and now operates a similar plant at Uranquinty NSW. I recently visited that site, whilst the topography is vastly different to that of Dalton the amount of noise generated, the vibrations will not be. Families have had to move, sell their family farms. Don't repeat mistakes, learn from mistakes.
Deny this application and allow the community of Dalton to have certainty back in our lives.

Submission on the proposed Dalton gas-fired power station.

Hello.
I wish to lodge my objection to AGL's proposed extension of time for the commencement of work on the proposed gas fired power plant project at Dalton (DPP), NSW.
I wish to lodge my objection to the whole Dalton Project.

I've been camping and visiting Dalton for the last couple of years, and enormously enjoyed the quiet country village atmosphere - that's why I go there.
I was horrified to find out about the proposed AGL plant, and it would be a huge incentive to take my holidays elsewhere. And that's when it's complete - the disruption during construction on such a small community would be horrific.
I have been told that it is only recently been announced although AGL would have had ongoing planning for many years. This would have led to many people buying in the area whose property values are going to be severely affected due to the deliberate withholding of advice.
Regardless of newcomers, the unwarranted disruption and financial disadvantage to the long term inhabitants and the pollution effects on local health, for what appears to be somewhat dubious benefits to the wider community, are more than enough to say this project is something that really shouldn't go ahead.

Thank you for the opportunity to provide a statement.

Yours sincerely