“AS far as I’m concerned the issue is over. It will not be built on our land.”

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council decided not to sell land at Herons Creek to “International Power Australia (IPRA), or any other proponent wishing to construct a peaking power station fuelled by distillate.”

The decision was hailed a major victory for people power in the Camden Haven, according to Jason Berrigan from Residents Against Power Pollution (RAPP).

Adjoining land owner Brock Vanzino received a phone call from Mr Persson directly, following the meeting, with the good news.

Following a public meeting, community protest at council chambers, an inundation of submissions and legal advice the council ruled at an extraordinary meeting last Thursday evening to withdraw their ‘in principle’ consent, granted in 2007, for the sale of the land.

Mr Persson informed the general manager of IPRA on Friday.

“I’ve phoned the general manager and our general manager confirmed the decision in writing,” Mr Persson said.

“They’ve written back, expressing their disappointment and suggested legal action. But I’m comfortable with our position and our legal advice.”

The council’s legal advice stated, “no ‘offer and acceptance’ exists between the parties in relation to the land sale”…and that “Council may discontinue negotiations about the land sale.”

The NSW Department of Planning will also be notified of the withdrawal of consent.

Mr Persson said he was surprised the proposal had progressed so far. He tabled a report to last Thursday’s meeting from the Councillor Workshop in February 2007, at which a representative from the project spoke to councillors on the diesel-fuelled peaking power plant.

“There is no public benefit in this proposal,” Mr Persson said.

“Sometimes in government we have to make hard decisions in the interest of the public. In this case the decision was easy, there was no public advantage.”

Mr Persson said while the plant would not be built on council land, there was nothing to stop IPRA purchasing land privately for their project.

“It would need to be approved by the State Government but if we at a local government level had the chance to voice our opinion it would be that it’s not a good idea,” Mr Persson said.

The Camden Haven community received a hearty congratulations from the administrator for their organization, enthusiasm and thoroughness protesting and researching the project.

“I applaud the community for their spirit of defense for their area,” he said.

“I make my decisions based on information rather than numbers but it’s important that the community presented an informed argument.”