The Broadwater Action Group doesn’t think it’s very green. They’re concerned about the impacts of the mill on their community and environment. They are worried about airborne particles of bagasse from the operation, smokestack emissions, and the effects of discharging heated and chemically treated water into the Richmond River. They are concerned about loss of road safety in the village resulting from increased truck movements They are sceptical about the feedstock for the power generation plant. It will use camphor laurel. What else? Native forest? They worry about the increased noise from the mill operating 12 months per year rather than 6. They believe this major intensification of the existing sugar mill will have serious impacts on the character and amenity of their village.

So far they have been successful in forcing Sunshine Electricity to do an Environmental Impact Statement. Originally, no EIS was required. Without an EIS there is no third party appeal rights. Now they have launched an appeal in the Land and Environment Court. A related co-generation plant was approved at Condong before anyone realise what it meant. A third one is proposed at Harwood to create Sunshine electricity’s unholy trinity of greenhouse-gas-producing, unsustainable power stations. If Broadwater is stopped, Harwood won’t proceed. BAG is a small but dedicated group of people who would love some assistance.

If you are interested in helping them out, contact Peter Tassius on +061 0266 828 099. Donations are welcome, appreciated and necessary!