Trouble at the Mill

Broadwater people are still fighting the proposal to upgrade Broadwater sugar mill to generate electricity. The plan is to burn bagasse (remains of sugar cane after the sugar extraction process) to generate electricity to sell to the grid as Green Power. This all sounds fine for about thirty seconds - until you consider the environmental and social implications of this intensification of use. Issues include local air pollution, noise, road safety, and impacts on fish in the Richmond River from the discharge of heated and contaminated water. It doesn’t solve any environmental problems, and may create new ones. Richmond Valley Council approved the proposal this year. The Broadwater Action Group (BAG) has launched an appeal in the Land and Environment Court. BAG is arguing that a Species Impact Statement should have been prepared because of likely impacts on threatened species – namely fish. If the Court finds that an SIS should have been done, the approval might be overturned. The case has been adjourned until September. Remember, this has implications for the Clarence as well as Broadwater people, as Harwood mill will be next if this proposal gets up.