Three gas plants' combined effects at centre of court hearing
A Land and Environment Court is holding a hearing. Three proposed gas plants for data centres may have overlapping environmental impacts.
Nakar Property is appealing a decision by Wingecarribee Shire Council. The council refused to allow a 16-megawatt gas plant and battery storage for data centres in Moss Vale.
The court hearing began Tuesday with more than 100 community members present. The developer already has approval for a 14-megawatt facility on the same site.
It is seeking state government approval for a third plant. That plant would be 673 megawatts.
Seven community members gave evidence on Tuesday morning at the site. They spoke about health concerns from gas plant emissions.
They also raised risks to Warragamba Dam. This dam supplies 80 per cent of Sydney's drinking water.
They raised concerns about a waterway the project would change. This waterway has cultural significance.
One speaker said Gundungurra people were not consulted in the Aboriginal Heritage Assessment. The court is only assessing the appeal for the 16-megawatt facility.
- 14 megawatts
- Approved facility
- 16 megawatts
- Appealed facility
- 673 megawatts
- Sought facility
- More than 100
- Community attendance
Why it mattersRegulators may underestimate environmental and health risks. This happens if the impacts from all three plants are not assessed together.
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