INTERNATIONAL Power Australia (IPRA), the company behind the failed power plant bid, is seeking legal advice following Port Macquarie-Hastings Council’s decision not to sell public land at Herons Creek for the project.
Jim Kouts, group manager corporate affairs IPRA, said since the plan was first put to the council in 2006 his company believed they had support.
“We are extremely disappointed by the decision [to withdraw consent for the land sale],” he said.
“The council is reneging on their clearly annunciated support. We believe the council has been in this process all the way. We are concerned by their lack of due process. We followed NSW Planning laws and would not have gone this far if we did not have the support of the council who endorsed this process.
“Our company has acted in good faith and our costs will run into seven figures. We are seeking legal advice on what our options are.”
Mr Kouts said IPRA acknowledged community concern over the project, but believed the council was informing the community on the plan.
“The way we have presented information is the way we’ve been told to do it. We offered to write to residents but the council chose to write to the community. They have been with us from the word go.”
Mr Kouts pointed to a workshop held in February 2007 where councillors were informed of the plan to build a distillate-fired plant on the Herons Creek site, despite former mayor Rob Drew publicly stating he and other councillors did not endorse the project.
“Rather, a presentation was made by an organisation regarding the need for additional power generation and a possible option on the North Coast of NSW,” Mr Drew said.
“The people making a presentation to the staff and councillors present did not give full details of the facility proposed.
“Questions from councillors regarding meeting council’s reduction in greenhouse gas emissions police and public consultation were asked at that workshop.
“At no stage was I told there would be a facility incorporating three chimneys standing six storeys high belting out diesel carbon emissions, consuming 19 million litres of distillate per annum and running hundreds upon hundreds of extra truck movements up and down the highway etc.”
Mr Drew said “council staff may have had an understanding of this proposal through earlier discussions with the company in question.”
Local lobby group RAPP (Residents Against Power Pollution) were also critical of the council’s lack of public consultation on the issue. Representatives from the Environmental Defenders Office also cast doubt on the council’s “in principle consent” to the sale of the Herons Creek site, stating it was signed-off on by an officer of the council instead of being put to the councillors for resolution.
Jim Kouts of IPRA said the process was still alive and would keep the community informed every step of the way.
“At some point that area will need increased energy supply,” he said.