Court to hear first climate change case in a decade

Sydney, Monday March 8, 2004; The first Australian court case to focus on Greenhouse matters in over a decade will be heard in the New South Wales Land and Environment court later this year.

The Climate Action Network Australia (CANA) has joined the court case over the controversial Redbank 2 power plant, a proposed coal-fired power station in the Hunter Valley, near Singleton.

The proposed plant was rejected by the New South Wales Minister for Planning in October 2003 on the grounds that:

• There were adverse impacts from greenhouse gas emissions
• The proponent had been unable to secure appropriate greenhouse gas offset measures; and
• The proposed development was not in the public interest.

Now the company behind the proposal, National Power, has appealed the Government’s decision in the Land and Environment Court.

CANA joined the case, and will be driving home the message that Redbank 2 should not be built. The Environmental Defender’s Office will represent CANA in the case.

"Australia's recent droughts show that climate change is underway and will worsen - unless we start to seriously cut greenhouse pollution now" said Philip Freeman, Legal Coordinator at CANA.

"Coal power is already the biggest single greenhouse polluter in Australia. And now the coal industry wants to build and pollute more, when it should be finding ways to cut emissions. CANA and its members are committed to opposing any new coal power proposal in Australia. And we're demonstrating our commitment by joining the Redbank 2 proceedings."

For more information contact:

CANA: Phillip Freeman on 0411 333 663 or JulieAnne Richards on 0407 227 633
EDO: Elisa Nichols on (02) 9262 6989

* The EDO is a non-profit, non-government community legal centre which provides legal advice and representation to individuals and community groups working to protect the environment. The EDO also takes an active role in environmental law reform and policy formulation and runs a statewide education programme. www.edo.org.au