Mod 1 - Extend Approval Lapsing Date

I OBJECT TO AGLS PROPOSED EXTENSION

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. The environmental destruction to the landscape and the quality of air has been ill considered.
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 AGL received its original approval under legislation repealed in 2011 after a corruption scandal that brought down the then NSW government.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.
Besides the waste involved in building a facility like this, residents of surrounding cities of Yass, Goulbourn and Canberra and local farmers will be threatened by its toxic emissions via the prevailing winds. It will produce emissions equivalent to a city of 500,000 people every day. Recent [March 2017] research has shown the detrimental effects of burning gas could be 120 times initial estimates with research from Purdue University. Carcinogens found in pollution from Gas are viewed as much worse than coal.
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 with high grade organic lamb. The facility will be upstream from "Moorlands" and will destroy the air, soil and water quality that this farm relies on to produce their biodynamic lambs. 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.
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. The environmental destruction to the landscape and the quality of air has been ill considered.
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.
Besides the waste involved in building a facility like this, residents of surrounding cities of Yass, Goulbourn and Canberra and local farmers will be threatened by its toxic emissions via the prevailing winds. It will produce emissions equivalent to a city of 500,000 people every day. Recent [March 2017] research has shown the detrimental effects of burning gas could be 120 times initial estimates with research from Purdue University. Carcinogens found in pollution from Gas are viewed as much worse than coal.
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 with high grade organic lamb. The facility will be upstream from "Moorlands" and will destroy the air, soil and water quality that this farm relies on to produce their biodynamic lambs. 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.
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. The environmental destruction to the landscape and the quality of air has been ill considered.
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.
Besides the waste involved in building a facility like this, residents of surrounding cities of Yass, Goulbourn and Canberra and local farmers will be threatened by its toxic emissions via the prevailing winds. It will produce emissions equivalent to a city of 500,000 people every day. Recent [March 2017] research has shown the detrimental effects of burning gas could be 120 times initial estimates with research from Purdue University. Carcinogens found in pollution from Gas are viewed as much worse than coal.
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 with high grade organic lamb. The facility will be upstream from "Moorlands" and will destroy the air, soil and water quality that this farm relies on to produce their biodynamic lambs. I object to this loss and this destruction of their business.
Thank you

Please see attached.

Hi my name is Alyrah, I am 10 years old, I have lived in Dalton since I was 5 years old and I go to Dalton Public School. I wish to lodge my objection to AGL's proposed extension of time for the commencement of work on the proposed gas plant project at Dalton (DDP),NSW.
I'm opposed to the extension for the following reasons:
If the power station goes ahead, all the local families will have to move away and my school will close down. We will also have to move away and I don't know were we will go to live. It makes me sad that I will lose all my friends.
I love living here it feels like home and were I should be. I can ride my bike everywhere around our town.
Dalton has fresh air and we don't need any poisonous chemicals making us sick.
I love swimming in the river. We have rare fish and frogs, in the river, that runs through Dalton.
We need to protect the rare southern pigmy perch and yellow spotted southern bell frog. If the power station goes ahead, we will lose these animals forever and I won't be able to swim in the river because of the polluted water.
It will break my heart to leave this wonderful place.


Thank you
Alyrah

see attached

Mr Mike Young
Director Resources Assessments
Department of Planning and Environment
320 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000
5/4/2017

Dear Mr Young,
Re: Dalton Power Plant (DPP) - Objection to the request by AGL to extend lapse date of the 19th July 2017.

Background of Submitter

* 35 years' experience in large scale grazing and farming enterprises
* 5 years as an agricultural consultant
* Principal / Owner of Yass Real Estate and Murrumbateman Real Estate with 18 years in the industry. We currently have 4 properties for sale within 10km of the DPP.
* Licenced Real Estate Agent, Licenced Stock and Station Agent, Licenced Auctioneer
* Appointee to the section 355 Yass Rural Lands Planning Committee to examine the issue of rural minimum lot sizes and averaging within the Yass LGA
* Committee member of the Rural Chapter REINSW
* Current owner of a rural property 6km from the Dalton Power Plant location. The property is income producing through the production of beef, wool, fat lambs and Lucerne hay for the equestrian market.
* Extensive experience with the sale of properties affected by wind turbine power plants

Reasons for my Objection to the extension of the lapse date by AGL Limited.
1. In January 2017 AGL was fined $124,000 for failing to declare political donations made to Labour, Liberal and National Parties. The donations were made during the time that AGL was seeking planning approval for the Dalton Power Plant. AGL was found guilty of 11 counts of breaking political disclosure laws from January 2008 to April 2014. This finding by the Land and Environment Court clearly questions the transparency of the original approval but more importantly brings into question the ability of the Local communities affected by the DPP to trust AGL in any further consultation. As such there are very clear grounds that there request for an extension should not be approved.

2. AGL received approval for the Dalton Power Plant on the 19th of July 2012. At this point AGL decide to shelve construction of the project due to economic factors. AGL has had 5 years in which to commence works subject to this approval (Limits of Approval B13). By commencing works AGL would have secured an unlimited expiry date on the original approval and would not require a modification to extend the approval for another 2 years.

3. With any proposed power plant be it wind turbines or gas the effect on a community in relation to uncertainty is dramatic. As a practising real estate agent I can contest to the fact that this sort of uncertainty affects not only property values within the vicinity of the proposed plant but also affects the saleability of a property. In many case those living close to these sorts of plants will find it almost impossible to re sell as the uncertainty creates a domino effect to buyers. Potential buyers who may not necessarily be overly concerned about a particular plant will still hesitate to purchase due to the effect on re- sale at a later date thus creating an impossible situation for the seller. We ourselves were in the process of building a new home and further infrastructure on our property at Dalton with a spend value of approx.$600,000. Due to the recent emergence of the DPP we have put this on hold in fear of not being able to recoup our costs in the event we were forced to sell due to ill health etc. The community should not be held to ransom by AGL purely so they can (a) Review the DPP in line with current technology and energy market (b) Consult with the community on even more modifications (c) lodge a more substantive modification. All of which have no socio-economic benefit to the Dalton and Gunning communities.

4. AGL in point (c) of their request to extend their lapse date clearly indicates their intention to lodge a more substantive project approval modification (MOD2). This is a completely unacceptable reason to grant an extension. Any variation to the current approvals should be handled as a separate and new Development Application. Much of the data used by AGL in the original application is now 12 years old and environmental factors would have greatly shifted since then. The population of the surrounding areas have also dramatically increased by residents who were not made aware of the approved DPP before purchasing now leaving them in a terrible financial situation. The communities of Dalton and Gunning should not be left hanging for another two years just so AGL can investigate further modifications to their project all of which benefit only AGL.

5. AGL themselves in their submission acknowledges that by granting the 2 year extension will result in ongoing uncertainty for the local community, particularly in view of AGL' previous suspension of the DPP. Even if AGL is granted a further two year extension there is no guarantee that AGL will commence construction of the DPP. The main aim by AGL in seeking this extension is clearly to conduct further research for a further modification (MOD2) at a later date. This shows AGL has no interest in the uncertainty created and financial hardship to the local community were their request approved.

6. AGL in their justification for extending the lapse date make constant reference to improved community consultation. AGL over the past 8 years has greatly failed the local communities in regard to consultation and trust. In the past 4.5 years the local community has had no further consultation with AGL. AGL states that they wish to" focus on understanding key issues of concern and rebuilding relationship in the community". AGL are fully aware of the very strong concerns of the community and what their issues are. This statement by them clearly shows the lack of transparency in their submission and that they do wish to provide the actual facts relating to the local community outrage at this proposed extension and overall project. The community does not want this project in their area for numerous reason outlined in the previous and current submissions. AGL is not a trusted member of the community. AGL seeks to establish community engagement for support for a further modification (MOD2). The community has no interest in supporting any further modification by AGL and as such would not participate in any form of a community committee as AGL would have you believe.

Summary
In the last 12 months there is evidence of under-utilisation of existing gas generators of up to 15%. Given such low utilisation why should the local community be put through yet another harrowing 2 years of uncertainty especially when AGL's intentions towards further modifications are the overriding factor for the request of an extension. It is not the responsibility of local communities or the State Government Planning Department to provide extensions to developers merely on the basis that the previous economic factors were not suitable to commence a project. The viability of any development is the sole responsibility of the developer and AGL is no different in this case.
Despite strong community opposition to this project, poor community consultation and non-disclosure of political donations, AGL were still given approval for the original Dalton Power Plant project (DPP) and have had 5 years to commence construction. This has been ample time for AGL to move forward with the project and secure their development approval prior to the consent lapsing.

As such I strongly object to AGL's request for a further two year extension to their original approval.


Yours Sincerely




Michael Gray JP
"Homeleigh"
1361 & 1381 Jerrewa Road
Dalton NSW 2582

submission attached

See attachment

Refer attachment

Refer attachment

Submission uploaded as PDF

I object to AGL's application for an extension for the Dalton powerplant project.

I have attached a letter stating my objections for your consideration.

This submission opposes AGL's proposal for the extension of time to give further consideration whether the power station 4 kms north of Dalton NSW is required.
Development and Consultation
As new residents in the Upper Lachlan Shire, we recently became aware of the original proposal and the lack of any public consultation since AGL suspended the proposed power station due to market conditions in 2012.
We understand the state and federal governments necessitate that work is required to commence on a project within five years of the approval. The environmental assessment associated with the approval is now over five years old and as conditions and technology have changed, we believe it would be appropriate that the extension not be granted as there appears that there is no need for another environmental assessment to be completed should an extension be granted.
What AGL Heard and How they Responded
While we note that AGL responded to submissions to the original application in 2012, the environmental considerations raised in the submissions are still compelling and we consider these to be of utmost importance. Dalton and the Upper Lachlan Shire are home to part of Australia's largest wool growing region and the value of this should not be underestimated. Majority of the residents in the Upper Lachlan Shire use rain water tanks and we worry that the pollution from the proposed power plant will have a negative effect on not only the town water supply but our own water tank supply and the health and wellbeing on our family and the community. Previous submissions and the environmental assessments address the fauna and flora of the area, including threatened species - the concerns of these submissions remain valid.
The extension of time for AGL to give consideration should not be allowed - AGL had five years to commence the project which was approved and it was their choice to suspend the project in 2012 due to market conditions. AGL's lack of consideration for the local community and environment is contemptible given the community had heard nothing from AGL during the past four years.
Location
We note that the proposed gas-turbine power plant is proposed to be built just 3km north of Dalton and 9km north-west of Gunning, the location of our home. The prevailing wind is from the north-west, if the proposal goes ahead we are not convinced that the air quality we now experience won't be diminished significantly due to the power station emissions.
Further Comments
We understand the need for secure, reliable and affordable energy supply is increasingly important for NSW. The technological developments since the 2011 environmental assessment was approved in 2012 are real and we believe the AGL proposal for extension to give time to consider if the power station is required should not be approved based on outdated technologies included in the original proposal. The proposed power station will most likely have a negative effect on population growth and therefore will lead to closure of small businesses and health and educational facilities. Considering that solar produced energy storage is getting cheaper by the week a facility that burns fuel at an unacceptable rate has no place in the modern world and certainly not in an area which attracts visitors from the ACT and elsewhere.

Additional information to my previous submission after attendance at the AGL meeting 5th April 2017

I object to Proposed Time extension. See attached PDF

I write this submission opposing AGL's proposed extension to the lapse date for the commencement of work on the proposed gas fired power plant project at Dalton (DPP), NSW.

My detailed submission is attached.

I enclose my submission as a pdf.
thank you H Vivas.

We the Dalton Community Assoication OBJECT to the Dalton Power Project MOD1, please see attached letter