Business

ETU WELCOMES PUBLICLY-OWNED WIND FARM ANNOUNCEMENT

ETU welcomes $780 million government investment in Tarong West Wind Farm

The Electrical Trades Union (ETU) welcomes the news of a $780 million state government investment into the publicly owned Tarong West Wind Farm in the South Burnett region, set to be the largest publiclyowned wind far in the country.

“This investment, and the wind farm, is a great start in moving towards a publiclyowned renewable future for Queensland,” says ETU Divisional Branch Secretary Peter Ong. “We’re looking forward the well-paid jobs the construction and maintenance of the farm will create.

“We’ve always said it’s vital that Queensland’s renewable energy assets remain publicly owned, so we’re really pleased to see that the Tarong West Wind Farm will be 100% publicly owned. This is just the start for renewable projects in the state, with the target of 50% renewable output by 2030, we maintain our current market share of 54% publicly owned generating capacity.

“We only need to think back a few months to the hiccup with the National Energy Market (NEM), where Queensland’s generation assets powered not only our own state, but also part of New South Wales as well. Publicly owned renewables means not only a cleaner and sustainable future, it also means a reliable one,” says Mr Ong.

The ETU supports the publicly-owned project which will create an estimated 200 construction jobs and 15 ongoing roles in the South Burnett region, and the publicly owned renewable assets the union has been advocating for many years.

“It’s vital that Queenslanders maintain a signifcant market share of renewable energy assets. Publiclyowned renewables are the future for this state. They are reliable, cleaner, and will put downward pressure on electricity prices.”

“We look forward to more announcements from the Premier on the future of Queensland’s electricity assets this week at the CEDA State of the State address. It’s an exciting time for Queensland as we make moves toward reaching the net-zero and renewable energy targets.

“We’re looking forward to future plans that will guarantee future-proofed and well-paid jobs for electrical workers, a cleaner and more sustainable future for Queensland, and the public retaining ownership of our renewable assets,” says Mr Ong.

ILLEGAL QUARRY OPERATION COPS MORE THAN $240,000 IN FINES

The Land and Environment Court have ordered Crush and Haul Pty Ltd and its Director Luke Cauchi, who oversee operations at Corindi Quarry on the Mid North Coast, to pay $247,500 in fnes for the illegal storage of materials removed from the quarry without a licence.

The company and its director pleaded guilty after storing more than 90,000 tonnes of extracted materials, which includes materials such as rock and clay, at Corindi Quarry, which supplies materials used in road construction.

At the time of the offence, quarrying activities involving the extraction, storage or processing of more than 30,000 tonnes of extractive materials per year required a licence from the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) in accordance with the legislation.

NSW EPA Executive Director of Regulatory Operations, Carmen Dwyer said the Defendants’ actions were a blatant disregard for licencing requirements and the environment.

“The severity of this fne should serve as a stern warning to others - to know their responsibilities and do the right thing,” Ms Dwyer.

“Limits are enforced on what can be quarried to ensure operations implement effective controls that reduce the impact of erosion, noise or blasting.

“It is disappointing when individuals or companies intentionally disregard their responsibilities and in doing so put the environment at risk.

“These conditions of the EPA licence are fair and designed to ensure that activity can occur while minimising the impact to the wider environment.”

The Court convicted the Defendants of the

offences, issued a fne of $225,000 to Crush and Haul and $22,500 to Mr Cauchi. The Court ordered that both Defendants pay the EPA’s legal costs and also publish a notice (in the form proposed by the EPA) within the frst twelve pages of the Quarry Magazine, Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph, Coffs Coast News of the Area and the Northern Rivers Times.

TWO WEEKS LEFT TO USE YOUR STAY NSW

AND PARENTS NSW VOUCHERS

Households are being reminded these school holidays to use any outstanding Stay NSW and Parents NSW vouchers, with new fgures revealing the programs have collectively added hundreds of millions of dollars to the State’s economy.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said the vouchers have provided hip pocket relief to families across NSW, helping boost their budget, with both programs set to expire on 9 October 2022.

“The people of NSW have warmly embraced both the Stay and Parent voucher programs, with almost $282 million injected into the State’s economy since their inception,” Mr Dominello said.

“Whether you want to book a weekend away to the coast or a rural area or take the kids to a movie or wildlife park, the school holidays are an opportune time for people to spend their vouchers. Don’t miss out – with only two weeks left, use them or lose them.

“The vouchers are a win-win. They provide a boost to household budgets as well as providing much needed stimulus for local businesses, with the average spend tracking well above $100 when they redeem a $50 voucher for both programs.” There are around $74 million worth of Stay NSW vouchers issued, pending redemption, to date.

These vouchers help support accommodation providers in NSW impacted by COVID-19. NSW residents aged 18 and older can apply for one $50 voucher to use towards the cost of accommodation bookings.

There are around $63 million worth of Parents NSW vouchers issued, pending redemption, to date.

The NSW Government launched these vouchers to reward and thank eligible NSW households for their efforts to support learning from home in 2021. One person from each eligible household can apply for fve $50 vouchers, worth $250 in total.

NSW Government Vouchers are nontransferable and can only be redeemed by the customer who was issued the voucher. They cannot be used as a gift or donation to a registered business and cannot be exchanged for cash or gift vouchers.

For more information visit https://www. service.nsw.gov.au/ stay-nsw and https:// www.service.nsw.gov.au/ parents-nsw-vouchers