Vote to cap coal exports

Newcastle City Council voted on November 7 to recommend that the NSW government cap coal exports through the Port of Newcastle at present levels. Greens councillor Michael Osborne moved the motion, which was supported by Labor councillors.

The motion also recommended that the government hold an inquiry into the "environmental, social and economic sustainability of the current coal industry and proposed expansion of the Hunter Valley coal industry", and initiate "a moratorium on new mines at Anvill Hill and elsewhere in the Hunter Valley and Gunnedah Basin". It called for a mandatory renewable energy target of 25% by 2020 and a levy on the coal industry to fund the transition to more sustainable energy sources. Finally, it called on the NSW government to build a more efficient public transport system in the Hunter.

From GLW issue 690