The Progress Association receives information about local issues from other groups and attends meetings when invited. Following are some of the activities in the last month.
Olstan Update
You may recall the proposed Olstan Open Cut-Auger mine out at Blackalls Park that was withdrawn by Centennial Coal, and then the Private Members Bill being put forth by our intrepid State Member Greg Piper to achieve clarity in the Planning Instrument to prevent a similar proposition being put forward again, and again and again.
Olstan Update
You may recall the proposed Olstan Open Cut-Auger mine out at Blackalls Park that was withdrawn by Centennial Coal, and then the Private Members Bill being put forth by our intrepid State Member Greg Piper to achieve clarity in the Planning Instrument to prevent a similar proposition being put forward again, and again and again.
Here’s an update from a recent briefing session The Progress Association attended.
• Greg Piper had to apply personally under Freedom of Information to obtain information about the Olstan Auger mine as it was not deemed ‘in the public interest’.
• The information that was handed over was scant in content with one thing being very clear, at no time did Centennial Coal receive advice from the Government that the proposed auger mine would be prohibited by the Planning Instrument.
• Concerns over the discrepancy between Centennial’s denial of advice and the Government purporting to give advice raise a significant issue. If the government’s stance on the mine being prohibited was certain, why didn’t it inform Centennial Coal or the hundreds of residents who asked for clarity?
• Greg Piper had to apply personally under Freedom of Information to obtain information about the Olstan Auger mine as it was not deemed ‘in the public interest’.
• The information that was handed over was scant in content with one thing being very clear, at no time did Centennial Coal receive advice from the Government that the proposed auger mine would be prohibited by the Planning Instrument.
• Concerns over the discrepancy between Centennial’s denial of advice and the Government purporting to give advice raise a significant issue. If the government’s stance on the mine being prohibited was certain, why didn’t it inform Centennial Coal or the hundreds of residents who asked for clarity?
Greg Piper MP has written to the Planning Minister Tony Kelly to seek support for the Private Members Bill.
Electrickery
Whilst in the realm of Stately things that filter back down to the hip pocket, there is a petition circulating expressing concerns about a recent ruling on electricity pricing. There are recommendations being made by the Pricing Tribunal that will see increases of 20% for Integral Energy customers, 36% for Energy Australia and 42% for Country Energy customers. These increases are in spite of the cost of energy production having decreased by 6.7% in 2009.
Electrickery
Whilst in the realm of Stately things that filter back down to the hip pocket, there is a petition circulating expressing concerns about a recent ruling on electricity pricing. There are recommendations being made by the Pricing Tribunal that will see increases of 20% for Integral Energy customers, 36% for Energy Australia and 42% for Country Energy customers. These increases are in spite of the cost of energy production having decreased by 6.7% in 2009.
Several shops at the Carey Bay Shopping Village have the petitions, whilst the due date states 31st May they will be accepted the week after.
