Dear Editor,
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
ERM Power has enjoyed a good relationship with the Wellington community over the previous five years that we have held project approval for a gas-fired power station in the area.
We have conducted information events and had very fruitful discussions with neighbours of the proposed plant.
On the whole, we have been loath to engage in debate or criticism in the media about the project's detractors.
However we note the article in your newspaper this week titled "Indigenous leaders make plea to ERM for their land" and would like to respond to the main implications which are not factually correct.
The statement that ERM Power has not consulted with local traditional owners is untrue and similarly, the implication that ERM Power is responsible for the financial woes of Mr Nat Barton is also not true.
Firstly, the Stewart family asserts, "They [ERM Power] have had no association with the community, especially the Aboriginal community."
As part of preparing for the initial planning submission, in March 2008 ERM Power engaged the Australian Museum to contact the local traditional owners, including the Wiradjuri people, to research and compile a report based on their extensive knowledge of the Wellington area and consultation with Aboriginal communities, including representatives from the Wiradjuri and Gallanggabang peoples.
This report detailed the nature of the cultural heritage sites within a 45 hectare area of the proposed site of the power station and the likely impact of the project on these sites and the traditional communities.
The report concluded that the power station would not detrimentally impact the cultural sites nor would it harm the communities and local flora and fauna.
In relation to the implication that ERM Power is responsible for the financial woes of Mr Nat Barton, a search of court records will reveal that Mr Barton has been engaged in various and lengthy legal battles for a long period of time which ERM has not been a party to at any time.
For Mr Barton to suggest his financial and legal issues are in any way attributable to or related to ERM Power is disingenuous and misleading.
We have reached amicable agreements in relation to the proposed project with potentially affected landowners, and would have liked to reach an agreement with Mr Barton.
Furthermore, enshrined in the development approval are conditions that in the event that the power station is built and, in the event that the noise impact exceeds our expectations and therefore the conditions of our approval, we can be required to purchase the adjoining properties.
Throughout our association with the Wellington area and the development of the power station project, ERM Power has conducted a number of community activities to provide information about the project, including:
► In March 2007 ERM Power held a series of public consultation meetings and public displays to give the Wellington community and near neighbours the opportunity to identify issues and concerns;
► In 2008 ERM Power conveyed six members of the Wellington community to Oakey power station in Queensland to inspect its power station at that location;
► Between March 2007 and March 2009 a number of independent expert reports meeting the requirements of the Department of Planning were prepared as part of the environmental impact statement, those reports were published, responses and concerns from various stakeholders were received and responded to, to arrive at a Development Approval in March 2009;
► In 2010, ERM Power applied for a modification to the Development Approval. A number of independent expert reports meeting the requirements of the Department of Planning were prepared as part of the modification process, those reports were published, responses and concerns from various stakeholders were received and responded to, to arrive at a modified Development Approval in September 2010;
► In 2014, ERM Power applied for a further modification to the Development Approval to reduce the environmental footprint of the project.
The modification was advertised and responses from various stakeholders were received and responded to.
The department is still assessing the modification application; and
► In March 2015 ERM Power participated in an open information session at the Wellington RSL.
As a result of the public meeting convened by Peter Carter from the NSW Farmers Association on 19 March 2015, ERM Power is organising another inspection tour of our Oakey power station in Queensland for Wellington community members, including the mayor Mr Rod Buhr.
We are also arranging a meeting between the independent noise consultants and Mr Martin Sannikka to discuss the nature of the noise studies provided as part of ERM Power's development approval submission.
ERM Power has stated on a number of occasions that demand for electricity in New South Wales has declined and the power station will not be constructed until the electricity market is suitable.
Nevertheless, the project has been classified as a piece of critical power infrastructure for New South Wales and we wish to retain the approval to build the project when required.
The current application to modify the project, which is being assessed by the Department of Planning, would see the design of the power station reduced from four turbines to two turbines and the footprint and noise of the power station reduced.
Our intention is to continue to be a contributor to the local community, as we are in Oakey in Queensland and Neerabup in WA where we have operating power stations.
ERM Power has a long history as a developer of power stations and we will continue to engage with our stakeholders.
We encourage you to publish this letter in your newspaper and would welcome the opportunity to be interviewed by you in relation to the proposed project.
Yours sincerely,
Derek McKay
CEO ERM Power Generation
ERM Power Limited