Fed govt policy is costing Hunter jobs: Greens
Posted
The New South Wales Greens say a massive reduction in alternative energy investment in Australia last year is evidence that Federal Government policy is costing jobs in the Hunter Valley.
An industry report claims investment in alternative energy sources in 2014 was at the lowest level since 2002, with not a single dollar committed to new wind generation projects.
Greens MP John Kaye said the wind industry in the Hunter Valley sits on a knife edge, with reductions in the Renewable Energy Target (RET) causing unnecessary nervousness among investors.
"Even for those projects, such as some in the Upper Hunter, that have already been approved, there are real risks about their long-term security unless the funds are made available," he said.
"That's terrible news for the jobs future of the Upper Hunter, it's terrible news for the climate, it's bad news for air quality."
Mr Kaye said without a state-based mechanism to support the viability of new wind projects in New South Wales, the opportunity for more than 4,400 new jobs in clean energy could disappear.
"The Baird Government can't say they want New South Wales to be the California of the South Pacific and not stand by the wind industry," he said.
"Wind offers huge employment and economic growth opportunities to rural communities, particularly in the Upper Hunter.
"If Mr Baird steps away from it now he is backing down from a commitment he made last year."
Brian Hall from alternative energy generator Epuron said there is no doubt that speculation over the RET has affected the economics of its Liverpool Range wind farm, near Cassilis.
"I guess the uncertainty or the continued uncertainty around the RET is creating difficulties for projects, and particularly in the region of the Liverpool project," he said.
"If it didn't proceed, the benefits that would be available from that project, such as jobs and investment, would never eventuate."
Epuron said its Upper Hunter wind turbine project is at risk and something needs to be done to restore confidence in the industry.
Project manager Brian Hall said the site between Coolah and Cassilis has a lot going for it.
"The Liverpool Range site is an ideal location.
"It's on elevated country, it's got willing landowners wanting to participate, and it's got a good wind resource and it would be an ideal location for building a wind farm."
Topics: greens, federal---state-issues, alternative-energy, muswellbrook-2333, newcastle-2300, cassilis-2329
