I am writing 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.
As outlined below, I am also opposed to the project itself which would have enormous social, financial and environmental impacts on Dalton and the surrounding region.
I am a homeowner and resident of Gunning. I understand that if it went ahead, the DPP would be located within 10km of my home. I would therefore potentially be within range of air pollution from the power station. I would almost certainly be impacted by the increased traffic, including trucks and heavy machinery that would pass through my street. I may also suffer a loss of market value of my property because of its proximity to the DPP. But more than these direct impacts to myself, I would be horrified to see the beautiful, blossoming, community and countryside of Dalton be forced to endure the stress of yet more uncertainty in the months and years prior to any construction activity, and the significant social and environmental impacts from a large new fossil fuel facility in their direct vicinity.
Given that AGL's proposed project was originally approved under Part 3A of NSW planning laws, provisions that have since been repealed in light of corruption and unfair practices, the original approval now lacks any credibility. The discovery of AGL's undisclosed political donations only confirms community concerns about the assessment process. There is no chance that a social licence to operate could be formed on such unstable foundations.
Besides the core problem of a lack of fairness and credibility in the approval process, the original Environmental Assessment is now out of date. Since the original Environmental Assessment was performed there have been significant ecological discoveries in the Dalton area - the Endangered Southern Pigmy Perch and the Yellow-spotted Southern Bell Frog. This demonstrates ecological values of the region that need to be taken seriously.
The community of Dalton has also grown and changed over the past five years. The increased population will only compound the significant distress for residents of Dalton and the surrounding area if the DPP extension is granted. This includes financial stress, as property prices are effected, as well as emotional stress from an extended period of uncertainty.
AGL has failed to demonstrate any genuine commitment to the Dalton community, and have been entirely absent over the last five years. In its application for extension, AGL lists `engaging in public consultation' as one of the core reasons for applying for the extension. It is stated that the company's public consultation practices have improved over the past 7-8 years, and that AGL's Public Engagement Policy is consistent with best practice standards of the International Association for Public Participation (IAPP). Obviously there are different types of public participation, and the IAPP itself has developed a 'spectrum' that ranges from 'informing' the community, to placing decision making power in the hand of the community (see https://sustainingcommunity.wordpress.com/2017/02/14/spectrum-of-public-participation/). AGL's performance at its recent community consultation meeting in Dalton displayed an inability to genuinely listen, and a lack of any genuine regard for community concerns. AGL needs to state clearly what level of public participation it intends to pursue. If it is merely `informing the community', then AGL is in no way qualified to claim that it is following best practice public participation.
Finally, the climate impacts from the DPP would extend far beyond the Dalton-Gunning region. Even though the combustion of gas produces less greenhouse gases than burning coal, it is still more than what our `carbon budget' can afford if we are to keep Earth's climate within a safe operating range for humanity. Zero carbon energy choices need to be pursued at every opportunity. Therefore, a new gas fired power plant is out of step with planetary level wellbeing.
I urge the NSW Planning Assessment Commission to reject AGL's application for an extension for all the reasons mentioned above.

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.

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.

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

As a bronchitis sufferer and a grandfather,I strongly oppose this AGL proposal , because of the probability of carcinogenic dust carried on the winds over Canberra ,Yass and the surrounding areas .
Furthermore why do we have lobbyists trying to tell a democratically elected government what to do, which in effect means that the lobbyists and big business are running the country. Lobbyists should be outlawed if, we have a true transparent democracy. Perhaps the likes of AGL and the rest should declare themselves as a political party.
One can see the results of lobbyists with :- Fracking ,Iron and Steel industries, Big Pharma, G.M.O engineering and Religious wars in the Middle East etc. all usually against the Publics (voters) wishes. Do away with them.

I am opposed to the Dalton Power Project seeking an extension to the lapse date.
My objection (as a resident of Dalton) is based upon the question: Who in their right mind, would even *think* of erecting this gas power plant in a well-known earthquake zone ???
The Dalton/Gunning area is known to be amongst the highest earthquake areas in the eastern part of Australia, there having been three earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.5 or greater on the Richter scale. While the first was in 1886, the second and third earthquakes were in 1934 and 1949 respectively. Earth tremors of varying intensity are quite common.
Again I ask: Who in their right mind, would even *think* of erecting this power plant in a well-known earthquake zone ???

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 for the following reasons:
. AGL have not provided sufficient cause for extension.
. This is a new proposal and needs a new assessment. The original assessment and approval were made under a defective head of authority which does not provide a legitimate basis for the project. 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. This invalidates the approval.
. AGL have not supplied adequate time for an appropriate response.
. The Dalton and neighbouring community distrusts AGL because of its methods of approach to this proposal. This has been acknowledged by the Department of Planning who noted AGL's appalling community will rely on an consultation.
. AGL's Environmental Assessment is 7 years old. It ignores recent discoveries including a population of endangered Southern Pygmy Perch in Oolong Creek less than a few kilometres from the proposed construction. This is within the fallout area impacted by the proposed development.
. Gas fired power stations are on the verge of being made obsolete by better technologies. If built it would be a stranded asset. But it does not stop there: it would have to be paid for by ALL electricity consumers in (at least) NSW and the ACT. This is unjust. The application should not be approved.
. Finally the construction of this power plant will seriously affect the production of unpolluted food and fibre in the Dalton area. Specifically it would 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.

Please confirm that this submission has been considered and the application by AGL is refused.

After residing and running the local Hotel in Dalton for the past 10 years we now find ourselves confronted with terrible personal consequences if the DPP is to go ahead. Our retirement plan is now under threat as we intend to build a new house on our property along Loop Road. We believe the impact of construction and operation of the DPP will affect us greatly as outlined below:
. significant financial loss from devaluation of property;
. re-sale value of property will be diminished;
. noise pollution from traffic and DPP operation : noting the existing environmental impact statement estimates 140 vehicles per hour running along Loop Road during the peak construction phase;
. dust pollution from increased traffic movement along Loop Road;
. air quality degradation;
. damage to flora and fauna some of which is endangered and unique to this area only.

I object to the proposed extension of planning permission for the Dalton Gas Power Plant Station.
I have lived in Dalton for 10 years bringing up a young family . In living in Dalton you have to make a sacrifice as in all things in life you can not have everything. We gave up the conveniences of Town and City living, shops ,health care ,entertainment, transport etc. Trading longer distance commute for work BUT a quite peaceful friendly small community life for the family.Our children have nearly all gone but are returning with our grandchildren to show and enjoy the peaceful country life we have here in Dalton.
The small community has embraced the change of new comers into its fold . Which is why as such a small place it has survived and is thriving in diversity and spirit .
It saddens me that i feel because it is such a small place that AGL feels they will be able to build a gas power plant station.Is it because we are small in numbers that we are classed as insignificant ?.
Going by the lack of content of information given by AGL and the inability for some AGL members not to be listening but happily talking amongst themselves while the residents are speaking at the last meeting it is hard not to feel so.
This place i call home is small on numbers and big on community spirt ,local resident raise money for a defibrillator,support the local school care for its residence when they are in need, and when this is all said and done find rare species of Perch and Frog remaining active in protecting the habit for Australia.We do not want this to be in vain surely.
Not only environmental,pollution ,bush fires impact are a concern but that we are on a fault line and have recorded tremors. What about emergency services these services are being cut in the cities.Where is this support to come from we only have a single garaged fire station and engine supported by voluntary local working residence. Disaster waiting to happen is all that comes to mind if this goes ahead.
The Gas Power Plant if built will have an impact,and another small country town could die like so many others have around Australia.
This Gas Power Plant will do nothing positive for the environment ,increase pollution and damage Dalton and the surrounding areas.
AGL needs to be a leader and an investor in green energy that will work with ,Listen and help the communities of Australia and guess what the communities may then support 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.

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