MOORABOOL Council has yet to decide if it will commit to an anti-coal moratorium supported by six other councils, almost a year after it was first urged to do so by the Moorabool Environment Group.
MEG member Rose De La Cruz asked the council on June 6 to join 78 community groups and businesses calling on the state government to suspend all new coal and coal seam gas developments until independent investigations into impacts are complete.
Mrs De La Cruz said there had been no word from the council, despite a ‘groundswell’ of public concern about the possible impacts of coal and coal seam gas mining.
‘‘We, the MEG and other concerned community members, feel we have been treated in a dismissive and disrespectful way. We feel let down by our council.’’
She said it was important councillors were aware of the community’s concerns. ‘‘We are aware that three new councillors stated clearly during their campaigns that they are against any new coal mine for the Bacchus Marsh area.’’
Bass Coast, Colac Otway, Yarra and Port Phillip councils have all signed the moratorium to ban all on-shore coal and unconventional gas operations until the impacts have been properly investigated.
Moorabool chief executive Rob Croxford said a decision by the council was expected in May.
‘‘The council is organising a briefing from various stakeholders regarding a request to sign an anti-coal moratorium. We will consider our options, prepare a report and present it to councillors at a meeting in May.’’
Greens candidate for Ballarat Stephanie Hodgins-May said a favourable decision by the council would be an indicator of support for renewable energy.
‘‘In recent visits to Ballan and Bacchus Marsh, residents, farmers and business owners have expressed to me their grave concerns about the detrimental impacts of coal and coal seam gas mining on rich agricultural farmland and human health and tourism in the region,’’ she said.
