Geo-objectors ‘left unheard’

Alex de Vos
Angry residents have scheduled a series of protests and meetings against plans to build a geothermal power plant at Gherang, west of Geelong.
Daniel Briggs, who said he had lived in the Surf Coast town for more than 20 years, accused State Government of failing to address residents’ concerns during a visit to the region earlier this week.
Mr Briggs said residents feared the geothermal plant could contaminate Geelong’s drinking water and lead to other dangerous impacts such as earthquakes.
Mr Briggs accused Energy and Resources Minister Peter Batchelor of dismissing residents concerns about the proposal in a public session during this week’s cabinet visit.
Mr Bathelor called objectors “misinformed”, Mr Briggs said.
“They’re trying to placate everyone by saying it’s going to take years to complete but they’ve completely missed the point,” Mr Briggs said.
“Stage one (of the project), which involves exploration drilling in August this year only two kilometres from houses, may unleash a lot of these hazards.”
Mr Briggs said he was also furious neither the company behind the project, Greenearth Energy, nor state or federal governments had consulted residents about the plan.
Residents believed they had “no other choice” but to take their fight to the next level.
“We feel our concerns are not being listened to,” Mr Briggs said.
“Overall, it’s pretty disappointing and we’re going to continue to (lobby) the Minister (for Energy and Resources) to find out why we weren’t notified of the project and to address the risks and concerns.
“The government can look forward to more protests and meetings.”
The Independent reported last year that the region was a “potential target” for geothermal power, with plans to create Victoria’s first renewable energy hub.
Greenearth Energy investigated the area for “wet hot rocks” beneath the ground to generate renewable, green energy.
Initial tests found potential to produce 150 times more energy than Victoria uses in a year.
Tapping geothermal energy requires deep drilling into the Earth’s crust.
A geothermal project in Switzerland was shut down in 2006 when work was blamed for earthquakes that shook the nearby town of Basel.
Hot water from geothermal energy sources can also release dangerous chemicals including mercury, boron and arsenic.
Mr Batchelor did not return the Independent’s call for comment before the paper went to press this week.