A request to investigate the coal and mineral reserves within the Fingal Valley has been sent to the state and federal government by the Break O’Day Council.
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Mayor Mick Tucker said Shell first did an investigation in the 1980s and between “600 to 800 jobs were talked about”.
“We have got very good black coal … it’s some of the best black coal that you can get and I believe that under the new technology being developed their is opportunity for a base-load coal thermal power station, and we need to be looking at opportunities,” he said,
“Break O’Day is very much in need of jobs. We are not saying as the council that we are going to go out and do anything, it’s about investigating the opportunity and … seeing if we can have long term job security.”
Cr Tucker said he knew coal was an “emotional” topic but thought the use of black coal was better than power imported from the mainland, created from “dirty brown coal”.
The notice of motion was put forward by Cr John Tucker, who asked for a report into the potential of developing the resource for the benefit of job creation and economic development in the municipality.
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Tasmanian Liberal Senator Eric Abetz said the successful motion was “forward thinking” and exactly what Tasmania needed.
“Tasmania’s recent economic turn around needs to have its momentum maintained,” Senator Abetz said.
“Councillor John Tucker’s desire to explore the full potential of his region’s mineral wealth is the sort of ongoing pro-active attitude we need. All Tasmanians would benefit from an assessment.”
Senator Abetz said he would seek the full co-operation of both the relevant state and federal ministers.
Bass Greens MHA Andrea Dawkins said the move was “a backwards step that ignores economic and climate reality”.
“The request by Break O’Day to explore coal mining for possible power generation in the Fingal Valley is an archaic fantasy,” she said.
“Real community leaders are looking at non-extractive industries of the future such as renewables, behind the scenes tourist offerings and sustainable agriculture, not harking back to decades-old ideas based on dirty commodities that continue to slide in value.
“The idea doesn’t pass muster on public health, the environment, jobs or economics.”