Surf Coast Times
Thursday 14 August 2014
VOL 12. No 33
www.surfcoasttimes.com.au
FREE WEEKLY
INSIDE TODAY
YOUR COMPLETE REAL ESTATE GUIDE FLASHING LIGHTS
International Lighthouse Weekend begins on Saturday with activities at Split Point Lighthouse in Aireys Inlet (pictured here) and further along the coast at Cape Otway. See page 4. Photo: PETER MARSHALL
Community marches on Anglesea mine and power station
CLOSE COAL BY JAMES TAYLOR
THE campaign against the Anglesea coal mine and power station has taken to the streets, with a crowd estimated at more than 700 marching on the Alcoa-owned site and calling for its closure. Sunday’s ‘Shut It Down’ rally was organised by community group Surf Coast Air Action, and featured guest speakers including scientist Rob Gell, Surf Coast Shire councillor Margot Smith, Dr Merryn Redenbach of Doctors for the Environment Australia, Dr Nicholas Aberle of Environment Victoria, Kayla Foster of GetUp! and Leigh Ewbank of Friends of the Earth.
The mine provided 40 per cent of the power to Alcoa’s justclosed Point Henry smelter, and the company has been “actively seeking a buyer” since February to operate the mine as a standalone facility. Mr Gell spoke about the economic viability of the mine, saying the value of coal to generate electricity was plummeting. “I understand that Alcoa has suggested that it has had ‘multiple expressions of interest’ to purchase this dinosaur technology, but I wouldn’t be holding my breath for a sale – I’ll bet they’re not. “In parallel to our concern about the potential for the continued operation of a brown coal-fired
power station in the middle of Anglesea, we should be equally concerned about the continued nonoperation of the coal mine; about the risk that is posed if a buyer is not found, if the mine is not maintained properly as Alcoa’s interests in the region decline.” He said the aversion to change was not serving Victoria well and the state needed a smarter, sustainable economy. “If we hadn’t learned and changed we’d still have lead in paint, cars without seat belts and we’d all be smokers.” SCAA spokesperson Dr Jacinta Morahan said the rally clearly demonstrated there was “no longer any social licence to continue
polluting the air of the Surf Coast”. “Any company foolish enough to buy the toxic Anglesea coal mine and plant will be the focus of a sustained and very public campaign until the facility is shut down.” Mr Ewbank said Alcoa and the state government had been “notably silent” about the site’s future. “Will Alcoa do the right thing by the community and shut the power plant down? Will the Napthine government get off the fence and help the community transition?” Alcoa has said it would work through the sale process as quickly as possible, and a decision on the future of the Anglesea operations would be taken once that process was complete.
The ‘Shut It Down’ rally marches from the Anglesea Skate Park to the coal mine. Photo: REBECCA HOSKING
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