Hunter residents join to fight climate change

Climate Action Newcastle Press Release 28 August 2006

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Climate Action Newcastle (CAN) is a new group formed by Hunter residents fighting climate change. CAN aims to eliminate the sources of climate change that originate in Newcastle and the Hunter Valley. "Newcastle City Council has a sustainable cities program, which will help tackle climate change," said CAN spokesperson Vicki Brooke, "but proposed new mines such as Anvil Hill and the proposed new coal loader for Newcastle Harbour will undermine these positive efforts". "Newcastle has the world's largest coal port, a fact that makes the city, and the Hunter Region, responsible for much of Australia’s climate change contribution," she said. Thirty Newcastle residents met to form CAN, which is fighting the proposed expansion of the Hunter coal export industry, including the Anvil Hill coalmine near Muswellbrook. If built, the Anvil Hill mine will produce 10.5 million tonnes of coal each year, which would contribute 27 million tonnes of greenhouse gas each year. CAN is also fighting the new coal loader planned for Newcastle Harbour. "Anvil Hill and the new coal loader are linked because the loader will handle coal from Anvil Hill and other proposed coal mines," said Ms. Brooke, "If this coal loader is built, Newcastle will greatly increase its impact on climate change as the loader will also handle coal from new mines proposed for the Gunnedah Basin, Moolarben and Wilpingjon." Coal from Anvil Hill would be responsible for producing annual greenhouse gas emissions greater than the emissions from NSW’s entire transport sector. If a new coal loader in Newcastle goes ahead it could increase Hunter coal exports by up to 66 million tonnes, equal to Australia’s annual domestic black coal consumption. Community education is a major part of CAN's campaign. "CAN wants to empower the wider community and encourage them to stop climate change," said Ms. Brooke. "Scientists tell us we have 10 years to act if we want to avoid the threat of runaway climate chaos and the problems this will bring to the community." "Victoria and South Australia have legislated for mandatory targets for renewable energy. The Victorian target is 10% by 2016, and the South Australian target is 20% of the State's electricity to be generated by renewable energy within eight years. We want New South Wales to legislate for 20% renewable energy by 2016, or better" said Ms. Brooke.

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For all media enquiries, please contact: By phone: Vicki Brooke on 0425 243 860 By email: media@climateaction.org.au www.climateaction.org.au