Environment groups in NSW Hunter say that a Kurri Kurri gas-fired power station is a “white elephant” which will harm their grandchildren’s future.
Monday’s announcement by Sussan Ley, federal environment minister, that the Hunter Power Project has received final environmental approval following a rigorous assessment was made.
Ms Ley stated that the plant’s 660 MW capacity will create 600 direct jobs during peak construction, and 1200 indirect jobs in the state.
Environment activists claim that the community has been misled by the power plant’s promise of creating a lot of jobs locally.
Lynn Benn, of the Gas Free Hunter Alliance, said that the project is divisive within Kurri Kurri.
Ms Benn stated that some people believe it will bring a lot more jobs to the area.
“We desperately need jobs so there are some people who support it but have been misled about the downstream benefits.”
According to Snowy Hydro, a government-owned energy company, there will be 10 full-time local jobs and 250 full-time jobs during construction.
There were 221 submissions by individuals, with 217 objections, 1 in support, and 3 offering commentary.
Ms Benn stated that the site could have been used as an innovation hub.
“There were high hopes for this particular site. It could have been an incubator hub for lots of new start-ups and incubator industries,” she said.
“But that type of activity isn’t going to come and share site with a with gas power plants, so it’s a lost chance for jobs.”
Jan Davis, President Hunter Environment Lobby, stated that the project is a wasteful of taxpayer dollars.
“We don’t require it.” Ms. Davis said that renewables are coming on line even more, according to AAP.
“So there’s more risk that this is going be a white Elephant.”
She expressed concern for her grandchildren’s future and the future of the region as a result of the project.
“It is a world of uncertainty not just with jobs in the future, but if you keep going down the fossil-fuel path, what kindof what sort of certainty?,” Ms. Davis said.
“We’ve had fires and floods, cyclones and tropical weather in places that we have never seen them before. I am concerned about my grandchildrens’ future.”