The NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) has refused an application to restart the Redbank Power Station at Warkworth, citing concerns over environmental impacts linked to the project’s proposed fuel strategy.
Verdant Earth Technologies Ltd had sought approval to operate the former coal-fired plant using up to 700,000 dry tonnes of biomass per year, with an intended five-year transition from primarily using “invasive native species” (INS) and other “eligible waste fuels” (EWF) to purpose-grown biomass crops making up 70 per cent of its fuel source.
The Commission assumed consent authority for the state-significant development after more than 50 unique objections were received. A panel of Commissioners considered the proposal following a site inspection, a public meeting in Singleton, and consultation with key stakeholders including Singleton Council.
In total, the Commission received 591 unique submissions: 28 (4.7 per cent) in support and 559 (94.6 per cent) opposed.
While acknowledging potential benefits such as reusing existing infrastructure, boosting energy security, and creating jobs, the Commission found the proposal failed to adequately address major risks.
In its statement of reasons, the Commission said the project would create “a new commercial incentive to increase land clearing,” with adverse impacts that “have not been assessed by the Application in its current form.”
“Although sustainable clearing of INS serves an important role in supporting agriculture, the Commission cannot accept, without thorough assessment, that the large-scale additional actual clearing of INS required by the Project will have no flow-on environmental impacts,” the determination stated.
The Commission concluded that the environmental impacts of the fuel strategy were “undefined and potentially dispersed and decentralised” and therefore “not able to be adequately addressed through conditions of consent.”
It also noted the risks surrounding the proposed transition to plantation crops, warning that if delays occurred, the project would likely continue to rely on INS for up to 30 years, leading to further land clearing and associated environmental damage.
As a result, the Commission determined the project could not proceed in its current form.
Singleton Council have taken numerous meetings with Verdant Earth Technologies over the proposed re-opening, but were often left without any answers.
“Councillors as well as Council staff had the opportunities to meet with the Commission prior to their public forum in Singleton,” said Council Mayor Sue Moore.
“We had more questions than comments, and I think that struck home to them. There were so many questions we had, but no answers were given.”
Verdant Earth Technologies were also hopeful of skipping DA approval entirely, and were hoping to use previous approval for the Power Station.
“They were trying to get it in under Council approval, because the existing Redbank Power Station sat under Council approval,” said Mayor Moore.
“But obviously, it was set up to burn coal tailings from a mine that is no longer in existence, so that source of fuel isn’t there any more.”
Despite the environmental downfalls of the project, Mayor Moore says she can understand why people were supportive of the project.
“On the other hand we’re calling out for more jobs in the area and more fuel sources because energy prices aren’t getting any cheaper, they’re only getting dearer,” she said.
“But ultimately, there were just too many question marks around this as to what it would deliver in the long run.”
On the environmental note, the Nature Conservation Council (NCC) were very supporting of the IPC’s decision.
“It’s a relief that this disastrous and illogical plan to burn woodlands and forests for energy has been firmly extinguished by the IPC,” said Dr Brad Smith, NCC’s Policy and Advocacy Director.
“The Independent Planning Commission has made the right call in listening to the experts and rejecting this proposal on environmental grounds.
“After years of fighting against this disturbing proposal, in all its forms, this decision is a win for nature, communities and climate.
“Now it’s up to Environment Minister Penny Sharpe to close the loopholes that allowed this proposal in the first place.
“Verdant Earth wanted to truck thousands of tonnes of native vegetation, for hundreds of kilometers, cleared under sketchy rules that the Government is looking to change, and throw it into a furnace.
“We worked with experts to make sure the IPC knew that there would be 45 native plant species and habitat for threatened animals directly endangered by the proposal — that’s why it has been refused.
“The Commissioners agreed that the project would create a new demand for clearing rural bushland and increase the rates of habitat loss, which are already too high.
“This project would have released huge amounts of pollution into the atmosphere. The residents of the Singleton area can breathe a little easier knowing this plan has gone up in smoke.
“We are so pleased that this project, which has been hanging around for years, has been given such a resounding refusal.”
