Dalton rallies over gas fired power plant | VIDEO, PHOTOS

Dalton gas-fired plant sparks pollies' reaction

AGL not so popular in Dalton

AGL faces hostile Dalton crowd over gas plant | VIDEO, PHOTOS

Dalton residents say they’re “stoked” that an energy company has withdrawn a bid to extend approval of a gas-fired power plant near the village.

AGL confirmed on Friday that it had withdrawn its application from the NSW Department of Planning and Environment to extend by two years a 2012 consent for the 1000 megawatt project on Walsh's Road. The original five-year approval expired in July, 2017.

In late 2012 the company had put the $1.5 billion peaking plant on hold, citing poor market demand, but in March this year decided to reassess.  

The subsequent modified application sparked renewed community backlash about noise, lifestyle, amenity, road, land value and health impacts, and the technology itself.

But many of the 400 submissions that flooded into the Department also objected to the process. They argued the development demanded a fresh application and environmental studies given the passage of time. Instead, the government was allowing AGL to take advantage of Part 3A transitional arrangements despite repealing this section of the Planning Act in 2011.

The company acknowledged the opposition in a statement issued late Friday.

“AGL Energy has today contacted the Department of Planning and Environment to withdraw the modification application to extend approval for two years for the proposed Dalton Power Project,” a spokesman said.

“The Dalton community has raised significant concerns about the legacy Part 3A approvals process which led to the approval of the peaking power plant in their community in 2012 and the modification for an extension of time made in March, 2017.

“In response to the Dalton community’s concerns, AGL has decided to withdraw its modification application. We will take a step back and conduct a search for the most suitable site for this project, which may be at Dalton or may be at an alternative site in NSW.”

However the company stood by the ability of gas-fired peaking plants to “contribute significantly to the reliability of the national electricity supply system at times of highest demand.” 

“These peaks can also be managed through technologies like pumped hydro and battery technology, and AGL is considering all of these options,” the spokesman said.

“To provide reliability, gas-fired peaking plants are currently the lowest cost option to complement wind and solar projects.”

It’s unclear whether AGL will re-lodge the application under existing legislation, requiring a fresh environmental impact study. Nor could the spokesman say how long the company would take to decide the next step. Nobody was available for further comment.

But Australians Against Dalton Power Project member Phil Waine said the decision was an acknowledgement of the company’s “failure” to consult the community between 2012 and 2017.

“(It’s also) an acknowledgement that they’ve put the community offside,” he told The Post.  

“There is no other reason given than they are responding to community dissatisfaction.”

Mr Waine said the community of almost 100 had a small victory because it had always advocated for a new EIS. 

Time was ticking on the application. AGL had until March, 2018 to finalise it but had still not filed a ‘response to submissions’ report to the Department. Mr Waine said this left little time for the application to be assessed, be referred to the Planning Assessment Commission, a public hearing to be held and an answer provided, all by March.

“I’ve had a lot of emails and messages and everyone is happy to be getting on with their lives,” he told The Post.

“For a lot of people their lives have been put on hold. They haven’t wanted to spend money or invest knowing this project could be approved.”

But residents were also remaining vigilant. Mr Waine said with AGL assessing whether to press ahead with the project or choose another technology, it suggested the company could retain the site.

Either way, it would require a fresh development application and another lengthy process.

“If they do that, they know we’ll pull it apart like the last one and look at it with a magnifying glass. They’ll have to do everything right,” Mr Waine said. 

“...They are not conceding defeat but walking away softly.”

Meantime, Goulburn MP Pru Goward took to social media on Friday to congratulate the Dalton community on a “fantastic result.”

“It’s all due to the community activity and determination to stop this and the 400 submissions sent to the Department of Environment and Planning,” she said.

“So well done, Dalton. You’ve made it very clear you’re not having this in your backyard and AGL has listened.”