The Guardian 15 November, 2006
History making coal decision
Newcastle, on the NSW Central Coast, is at the hub of one of Australia’s major coal mining regions, the Hunter Valley. So resolutions passed last week by the Newcastle Council that call for a cap on coal exports at existing levels from the world’s largest coal exporting port were history making.
The resolutions also call for 10 cents per tonne of coal exported to fund renewable energy projects and to facilitate a shift from coal to clean energy; an independent inquiry into the ecological, social and economic sustainability of the coal industry in the Hunter; and a moratorium on planned new coal mines at Anvil Hill in the Hunter and elsewhere in NSW.
"As a coal and climate hot spot these Newcastle Council decisions demonstrate the potential leadership role of local governments in driving a policy shift for a transition from coal-based energy to renewable energy, while protecting the catchment in which the city is located from the impacts of large-scale expansion of open-cut mining", said Geoff Evans from Climate Action Newcastle, which worked closely with the Mayor and Green and Labor councillors on the resolutions.
While all resolutions were not passed unanimously, there was unanimous support for the establishment by the NSW Iemma Government for the 10 cents per tonne levy to fund the renewable energy initiatives as well as for increased support for public transport.
The resolutions also call on the NSW and Federal Governments to establish a mandatory renewable energy target of 25 percent by 2020, with 20 percent by 2014 as a first step. This would be in line with targets already set by the South Australian Government.
"For the council of the world’s largest coal exporting port to have the foresight and courage to say ‘stop, no more’ to coal exports is a truly historic and momentous occasion", said Greens councillor Michael Osborne, who moved the proposal.
"The decision should serve as a big wake up call to both state and federal governments to get serious about climate change and to initiate a just transition toward sustainable energy."