THE communities of Dalton and Gunning fear health problems, such as an increase in cancer, heart and lung disease will rise if AGL’s 1500MW, $1.5billion open cycle gas-fired power station is approved by the NSW State Government.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
If given the green light, the station – largest of it kind – will be built only 3km from the village of Dalton. According to the Upper Lachlan Environment Association (ULEA), AGL has publicly made false claims on ABC 7.30 Report stating: “There is no CO2, there is no particulate matter coming from this facility.”
In fact sheets distributed to the communities of Gunning and Dalton AGL claims: “Due to the relatively clean nature of gas-fired peaking power plants, there are not predicted to be any adverse health impacts arising from the Project.”
However, its environment assessment of the particulate matter produced from the proposed power station, AGL states: “PM10 is acknowledged as a pollutant of concern due to its ability to be inhaled into the lungs. Given sufficient time, however, PM10 will also settle out of suspension in the atmosphere.”
The current National Pollutant Inventory regarding PM10 states: “there is no threshold at which effects do not occur. The health effects include increased respiratory symptoms, aggravation of asthma and premature death.
The risks are highest for sensitive groups such as elderly and children.”
The expected volume of PM10 produced by the power station is 82kg per hour. Over 400 hours – 17 days - that equates to 32 tonnes of particulate matter expelled into the atmosphere.
The Dalton power station will produce 14 million kilograms of exhaust gas per hour, ULEA says. Due to overwhelming concern, a public meeting has been called by the NSW Planning Assessment Commission to allow the community to voice their concerns and objections.
The meeting will take place from 9.30am on Thursday, June 28 at the Gunning Shire Hall in Copeland Street.
Follow @GoulburnPost
None
