AGL is holding a community information night at St Matthew’s Church hall at Dalton on Wednesday, April 5. It’s part of the company’s consultation for an application to extend by two years the 2012 approval of its power station, 4km north of Dalton. The approval is due to lapse in July. 

The community is up in arms over the possibility of the revived $1.5 billion project. The development was approved as a peaking facility. Some 70 people turned up to a recent meeting convened by Australians Against Dalton Power Project.

The group is encouraging strong attendance at Wednesday’s session.

“The original environmental assessment is seven to eight years old already,” a spokeswoman said.

“Much has changed in our environment since then. It will be 10 years old by the end of the extension period sought by AGL.” 

Residents are angry the application falls under the soon to be repealed Part 3A “transitional provisions.” They’re also concerned any further modification of the station will not require an environmental assessment.

“AGL seeks to whip our communities with the tail of the dying beast that is Part 3A, just as the community surrounding the Uranquinty facility was destroyed by its first breaths,” the spokeswoman said.

“...We (also) refuse to be the discarded debris of this complete politicisation of energy policy by a corrupt coalition against renewables.”​

Wednesday’s session runs from 7pm to 9pm. Interested people can RVSP to daltonpower@agl.com.au or 1800 039 600.