Green futures for coal communities

Public Forum - Lithgow

Thanks for coming to this public forum. Susie Gemmell, who works in my office, and I are visiting the Lithgow region as part of our work with coal communities. The trip we undertook today around the Lithgow region has again reinforced the common challenges coal communities are facing - air and water pollution, loss of habitat, loss of jobs, poor or non-existent mine rehabilitation, mining companies that put little back into local communities, and the lack of useful monitoring of the impact mining has on public health and the environment.

On behalf of the Greens I certainly want to acknowledge the mighty contribution the Lithgow region has made to Australia, and in particular the NSW economy. The establishment of the Small Arms Factory in 1912 put Lithgow on the map as the birthplace of modern manufacturing in this country. And for a century this area has been a key energy hub.

And the region continues to be a key player in delivering energy and manufacturing needs of Australia. But we also need to recognise that this comes at a cost for the people and the environment, and that most locals have seen little of the wealth that has been generated in this region.

The Greens believe that the Lithgow region can continue to be a leader in energy and manufacturing systems without the burden of pollution that damages public health and the environment.

For decades communities either did not understand about the damage caused by coal mining or it was accepted in the name of jobs. On this score I want to emphasise the Greens strong commitment to provide jobs, but jobs that are ecologically as well as economically sustainable; that are worthwhile and add to people's dignity and self esteem rather than treating them as a means to make a quick profit.

The Greens are not calling for the closing of existing mines but we are strongly opposed to the opening of any new coalmines. We certainly acknowledge the huge contribution miners, their community and their union have made to this region. In the 200 years that coal has been mined in Australia about 4,000 Australian coal miners have been killed on the job. And until recently not one coal company or company director had been charged over those deaths.

But we also need to recognise that profits are being ripped out of the Lithgow region, the Hunter and the Illawarra, the local environment destroyed, jobs are becoming lost, exploitation is on the rise and all the time we have the time bomb of greenhouse emissions building up, all as a result of the coal industry.

It is time the coal corporations like Xstrata and Centennial Coal returned to the Lithgow community some of the hefty profits they have made from this region. Last year Xstrata's global profit was $1.2 billion, and that could well be higher this year with the recent 70% increase in the price of coal.

Lithgow is at a critical point. Will the government work with the local community to diversify the economy and develop ecologically sustainable jobs or will the Premier lock this region into a coal dependent future? If the government decides to build another coal fired power station it will be a backward step for the Lithgow community and will promote the wrong message about this region.

We need to remember that it is a long time since the coal industry was the main source of jobs in this region. The 2001 census figures show that in the electorate of Bathurst, which includes Greater Lithgow, manufacturing and the retail industry supply the bulk of the jobs. The breakdown is telling: - 3,461 manufacturing jobs, - 3,961 retail trade jobs - 2,403 jobs in health and community services work - 2,376 education jobs

Way down the scale we find the electricity, gas and water supply sector, which accounts for 637 jobs, while mining accounts for a mere 839 jobs in the area.

The argument that Lithgow needs its coalmines and its coal fired power stations to create jobs is simply factually incorrect. The Greens argue that clean green manufacturing and energy systems hold the future for this region.

The Greens believe that federal and state government should invest some of their budget surplus in new high tech and environmentally sensitive industries to benefit Lithgow. This area is already in transition away from the era of coal. Those census figures I just quoted clearly show that. The job of government is to assist this period of transition by fostering renewable energy systems such as wind and solar, to keep manufacturing and energy jobs in the local economy, safeguard the environment and protect public health.

Clean green energy systems are now commercially, economically, socially and industrially viable. The change over is happening and the government has a clear responsibility to ensure the Lithgow region does not miss out. The Greens also believe that manufacturing should remain a key industry in Lithgow and that this can be guaranteed by requiring a higher Australian made content. For example, at the moment new train carriages only have to have 20% locally built content. The Greens say let's increase that - why can't we have an 80% built locally policy.

We also believe that there are considerable growth opportunities for jobs in the tourism sector. We certainly recognise the work that Lithgow City has done in promoting this area but the state and federal governments could do more to market the great natural attributes of this area in Australia and overseas. The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Wilderness area and the Wollemi and Gardens of Stone National Parks are exquisite treasures. The Greens believe that expanding these national parks and world heritage areas would provide a more certain future for tourism and the local economy. Let's remember that people visit this area to enjoy the natural beauty. There would not be many visitors if all there was to look at were coalmines and a coal-fired power station.

But according to the local state MP Gerard Martin, if the Greens had their way locals would be sitting in the dark. He claims that the choice is between the coal and the nuclear industry. These are just tired old scare tactics. The debate about the nuclear industry ended with the tragedy at Chernobyl. And to again emphasise, the Greens are not calling for the closing down of currently operating coalmines and coal fired power stations.

What we are saying is that it is time coal companies gave greater assistance to the local community and that this state government should play an active role in assisting transition in this region. The Lithgow community has every right to expect they and future generations will be able to find work in the manufacturing and energy sectors that is sustainable in terms of the environment and the economy.

But unfortunately we can't expect governments in this country to stand up to the coal companies. The history of this country shows the government of the day facilitating the demands of this industry rather than looking after the needs of coal communities, protecting public health and the local environment. The Greens are committed to working with coal communities and to take their concerns into the parliament. In the discussion period we are keen to hear from you on these matters or on any other issues you are concerned about.

Thanks for coming to this public forum. Susie Gemmell, who works in my office, and I are visiting the Lithgow region as part of our work with coal communities. The trip we undertook today around the Lithgow region has again reinforced the common challenges coal communities are facing - air and water pollution, loss of habitat, loss of jobs, poor or non-existent mine rehabilitation, mining companies that put little back into local communities, and the lack of useful monitoring of the impact mining has on public health and the environment.

On behalf of the Greens I certainly want to acknowledge the mighty contribution the Lithgow region has made to Australia, and in particular the NSW economy. The establishment of the Small Arms Factory in 1912 put Lithgow on the map as the birthplace of modern manufacturing in this country. And for a century this area has been a key energy hub.

And the region continues to be a key player in delivering energy and manufacturing needs of Australia. But we also need to recognise that this comes at a cost for the people and the environment, and that most locals have seen little of the wealth that has been generated in this region.

The Greens believe that the Lithgow region can continue to be a leader in energy and manufacturing systems without the burden of pollution that damages public health and the environment.

For decades communities either did not understand about the damage caused by coal mining or it was accepted in the name of jobs. On this score I want to emphasise the Greens strong commitment to provide jobs, but jobs that are ecologically as well as economically sustainable; that are worthwhile and add to people's dignity and self esteem rather than treating them as a means to make a quick profit.

The Greens are not calling for the closing of existing mines but we are strongly opposed to the opening of any new coalmines. We certainly acknowledge the huge contribution miners, their community and their union have made to this region. In the 200 years that coal has been mined in Australia about 4,000 Australian coal miners have been killed on the job. And until recently not one coal company or company director had been charged over those deaths.

But we also need to recognise that profits are being ripped out of the Lithgow region, the Hunter and the Illawarra, the local environment destroyed, jobs are becoming lost, exploitation is on the rise and all the time we have the time bomb of greenhouse emissions building up, all as a result of the coal industry.

It is time the coal corporations like Xstrata and Centennial Coal returned to the Lithgow community some of the hefty profits they have made from this region. Last year Xstrata's global profit was $1.2 billion, and that could well be higher this year with the recent 70% increase in the price of coal.

Lithgow is at a critical point. Will the government work with the local community to diversify the economy and develop ecologically sustainable jobs or will the Premier lock this region into a coal dependent future? If the government decides to build another coal fired power station it will be a backward step for the Lithgow community and will promote the wrong message about this region.

We need to remember that it is a long time since the coal industry was the main source of jobs in this region. The 2001 census figures show that in the electorate of Bathurst, which includes Greater Lithgow, manufacturing and the retail industry supply the bulk of the jobs. The breakdown is telling: - 3,461 manufacturing jobs, - 3,961 retail trade jobs - 2,403 jobs in health and community services work - 2,376 education jobs

Way down the scale we find the electricity, gas and water supply sector, which accounts for 637 jobs, while mining accounts for a mere 839 jobs in the area.

The argument that Lithgow needs its coalmines and its coal fired power stations to create jobs is simply factually incorrect. The Greens argue that clean green manufacturing and energy systems hold the future for this region.

The Greens believe that federal and state government should invest some of their budget surplus in new high tech and environmentally sensitive industries to benefit Lithgow. This area is already in transition away from the era of coal. Those census figures I just quoted clearly show that. The job of government is to assist this period of transition by fostering renewable energy systems such as wind and solar, to keep manufacturing and energy jobs in the local economy, safeguard the environment and protect public health.

Clean green energy systems are now commercially, economically, socially and industrially viable. The change over is happening and the government has a clear responsibility to ensure the Lithgow region does not miss out. The Greens also believe that manufacturing should remain a key industry in Lithgow and that this can be guaranteed by requiring a higher Australian made content. For example, at the moment new train carriages only have to have 20% locally built content. The Greens say let's increase that - why can't we have an 80% built locally policy.

We also believe that there are considerable growth opportunities for jobs in the tourism sector. We certainly recognise the work that Lithgow City has done in promoting this area but the state and federal governments could do more to market the great natural attributes of this area in Australia and overseas. The Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Wilderness area and the Wollemi and Gardens of Stone National Parks are exquisite treasures. The Greens believe that expanding these national parks and world heritage areas would provide a more certain future for tourism and the local economy. Let's remember that people visit this area to enjoy the natural beauty. There would not be many visitors if all there was to look at were coalmines and a coal-fired power station.

But according to the local state MP Gerard Martin, if the Greens had their way locals would be sitting in the dark. He claims that the choice is between the coal and the nuclear industry. These are just tired old scare tactics. The debate about the nuclear industry ended with the tragedy at Chernobyl. And to again emphasise, the Greens are not calling for the closing down of currently operating coalmines and coal fired power stations.

What we are saying is that it is time coal companies gave greater assistance to the local community and that this state government should play an active role in assisting transition in this region. The Lithgow community has every right to expect they and future generations will be able to find work in the manufacturing and energy sectors that is sustainable in terms of the environment and the economy.

But unfortunately we can't expect governments in this country to stand up to the coal companies. The history of this country shows the government of the day facilitating the demands of this industry rather than looking after the needs of coal communities, protecting public health and the local environment. The Greens are committed to working with coal communities and to take their concerns into the parliament. In the discussion period we are keen to hear from you on these matters or on any other issues you are concerned about.