The government believes that the power plant plays a vital role in generating the extra electricity required to secure the region’s energy demand. Kristina Keneally, planning minister has said that the peaking plant, which is expected to take two years to complete, can generate a maximum of 360MW.
In a statement Ms. Keneally said: “One of the significant issues raised by the community during the extended, 60-day public exhibition period, was that the power stations’ capacity might increase after initial approval for 360 megawatts. I’ve told AGL they must demonstrate acceptable environmental performance for at least 12 months following construction before any application to expand the plant will be considered.”
However, John Kaye, NSW Greens MP, said: “(Ms Keneally) has ignored the risk that this development will result in increased respiratory disease throughout the Sydney Basin. Important decisions that can compromise the health of young people in the Sydney Basin should not be made under the cloud of donations from a developer.”
In response to the protests by local residents concerning environmental issues, Ms. Keneally said: “About 170 hectares of vegetation around the power station will be conserved to protect large tracts of endangered ecological communities and the habitat of the endangered shrub, Matted Bush-pea.”
