MAYOR John Rosenbaum says he will push for AGL’s omission from the Gloucester Dialogue despite representations from the company.
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Cr Rosenbaum plans to table a mayoral minute at the February meeting of council calling for AGL’s expulsion from the Dialogue.
AGL announced on Tuesday it was suspending its coal seam gas operations in Gloucester after the discovery of hazardous BTEX chemicals at its Waukivory pilot site.
The State government then suspended AGL’s operating licence after it emerged the company had waited 12 days before informing the EPA (Environment Protection Agency) or the public of the presence of the chemicals.
Cr Rosenbaum said it was “extremely disappointing” that the company had failed to mention the discovery of the BTEX chemicals at a meeting of the Dialogue on January 21, six days before AGL suspended its operations and informed the EPA of its findings.
“There was nothing mentioned about it at all. It’s a direct slap in the face,” he said.
“The EPA was there, other government agencies … everyone was there.
“A communiqué from the meeting will be put out and there won’t be a single mention of it. It makes a mockery of the whole process.”
Cr Rosenbaum said if councillors opted to not support his mayoral minute and voted to continue having an AGL presence within the Dialogue, he would no longer be a part of the discussions.
“I can’t see I’d gain a lot from sitting in a room thinking ‘are they telling us everything’,” he said.
“If they are there, I won’t be.”
AGL spoke with the mayor about his concerns on Thursday.
“AGL has been working closely with Gloucester Council and mayor John Rosenbaum for many years now, with the view to sharing information about our Gloucester Gas Project and establishing a positive relationship to benefit the local community,” a spokeswoman said.
“We understand mayor Rosenbaum has publicly stated he will remove himself from the Gloucester Dialogue. AGL (has) contacted the mayor to better understand his position and express concern that he feels that way.
“A commitment was made to the mayor that AGL would like the opportunity to address Gloucester Shire Council on this issue, as it remains a priority for AGL to work on the relationship with council that has been fostered over the years.”
Cr Rosenbaum said AGL was welcome to address council either at its next meeting or at another prearranged time.
He said he was keen to see the Dialogue continue with council representatives and the other government bodies involved.
“We have other mining companies in this valley,” he said.
“I’d like to think we can continue to meet to discuss all mining-related issues and that includes coal seam gas - just not with an AGL presence.”
Cr Rosenbaum said he had written to Resources Minister Anthony Roberts and Gloucester Dialogue chair Jock Laurie outlining his plans for the Dialogue.
Meanwhile, the Gloucester Chamber of Commerce says an agreement it signed with AGL to ensure local businesses are considered as the company’s preferred suppliers should the Gloucester Gas Project proceed still stands.
President Yvonne Reynolds said the agreement was a “long term project between the chamber and AGL”.
She said the agreement was still very much in the infancy stage and the Chamber would “keep working towards this for businesses in Gloucester”.