By Andrew Hall

WOLLONGONG -- Some 350 people attended a May 8 meeting to discuss the reopening of the Southern Copper smelter, closed for economic reasons since early 1995.

The Coalition for Economic Advancement, which is coordinating the bid to reopen the refinery, canvassed benefits including local jobs, a reduction in "our" balance of payments deficit and the necessity of copper to us all.

Numerous comments from the floor questioned the proposed new pollution controls, which are supposed to reduce emissions to 11% of previous levels. The new levels are to be allowed to exceed World Health Organisation standards only 12 times per year.

The meeting rejected the emission proposals because the smelter is only metres away from Port Kembla Public School and is surrounded by densely populated residential areas.

Residents agreed that a new smelter should be built, but at a more appropriate site. It was argued that if the investors were as keen to look after the community as they stated, this shouldn't be a problem.

Seven delegates were elected onto the consultative committee. One of them, local union activist Sue McGregor, told Green Left Weekly, "The community's feeling is clear. We don't want the smelter at all unless there is absolutely no pollution".

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