11 Comments

1. Danny makes this comment

   Monday, 08 June 2009

   hi
   
   IF Barry you be preimer 2011.
   
   will you shut down the Desalination Plant.
   
   yes or no.

2. daniel makes this comment

   Tuesday, 21 July 2009

   With regards to the envrionment and climate change, all i can ask is that some one puts nuclear power back on the table. It is the only power source that can generate base load power at low cost and produce no carbon emmissions.
   I know its not the most loved topic in australia but i hope that someone in the NSW liberal party will put forward the idea.

3. Catherine Cusack MLC makes this comment

   Friday, 24 July 2009

   Hi Daniel
   
   Thanks for highlighting this issue. The Howard Government did examine this option but discarded it due to high cost of infrastructure, relative to other forms of power. NSW has the lowest electricity prices in the world due to cheap access to coal. In other countries where electricity prices are higher (such as the USA), the nuclear power plant option makes sense. In China which is experiencing massive growth in demand for energy, very large facilities are required on greenfield sites, and again the investment in nuclear makes sense.
   
   NSW has a different set of challenges in our economy, and a large nuclear reactor is not economically viable. The NSW Liberal-Nationals are looking at new technologies for renewable energy on a "micro-generation" basis. In other words small units such as PV cells on roof-tops; windpower; co-generation. This empowers families and businesses to choose their energy sources and contribute fairly to the costs.
   
   Our policies are similar to those proposed by David Cameron leader of the UK Conservatives who argues it makes far better sense to spread energy infrastructure costs across multiple users who have a direct self interest in energy efficiency and reducing risk of increasing energy costs.
   
   We cannot afford and do not need a nuclear power station in NSW. Please be assured, this is not an irrational ideological position - it is simply reflective of the size and operation of our State Economy, the need to reduce rather than increase energy consumption (through efficiency measures) and our commitment to give consumers choice through micro-generation.

4. Jane makes this comment

   Tuesday, 28 July 2009

   "it is simply reflective of the size and operation of our State Economy, the need to reduce rather than increase energy consumption (through efficiency measures) and our commitment to give consumers choice through micro-generation."
   
   Given our financial situation I can understand the unable to afford option.
   
   At the same time we are undergoing rapid population growth and reduction of power usage is, in my opinion, simply not possible unless you envisage NSW as a cottage industry state where we all go to bed when the sun goes down.
   
   We can mine it, we can sell it, we can store the wastes but Australia can't use nuclear power? the logic escapes me.
   
   I really, really think taking the nuclear option of the table is a bad idea.

5. Catherine Cusack MLC makes this comment

   Monday, 03 August 2009

   NSW is not undergoing rapid population growth - relative to the rest of Australia our share of population is declining, and we have just lost a Federal Seat to Queensland (which is growing!). Our consumption of electricity by domestic customers is going to fall dramatically, and not increase with simple energy savings measures such as the new light globes, more efficient refridgeration; solar hot water etc. It is simply a fact that this is happening and will continue! Our initiatives will bring forward energy improvements through incentives for retro-fitting; better education and the like. California is a wonderful model for what can be accomplished.
   
   Notwithstanding this, we want to grow our economy, and we need new sources of power to achieve this. The question is will the new investment in this state be "clean and green"? Under our policies the answer is yes, we will incentivise business to invest in renewable energy (not just solar - which addresses daytime peaks in demand) but all forms including wind, co-generation and other new technologies. We hope to promote natural gas (another wonderful resource that is plentiful in Australia but emits far less greenhouse gas than coal) which is a reliable source of power, but dependent upon pricing for future viability.
   
   I can see you are very attached to the concept of nuclear power - but its simply not a necessary or cost effective option with all these other reliable and relatively cheap options on the table.

6. charles makes this comment

   Tuesday, 01 September 2009

   What happened to the 2007 election policy on water recycling? and where if anywhere is the opoosition policy on water resources and urban water/ for country NSW?

7. Jim Thompson makes this comment

   Wednesday, 30 September 2009

   Given that Sydney bicycle sales now outnumber car sales, and that major comparable cities such as London and Melbourne are experiencing increased bike use, what are the plans for bike paths as part of an integrated transport strategy ? At the moment cyclists take their lives in their hands to get to work. Their are ready made corridors adjacent to the major rail lines - why can't these be turned into bike paths thus separating bikes and cars to the benefit of both ? It would also help the obesity issue and cut pollution.

8. Will makes this comment

   Wednesday, 30 September 2009

   Catherine Cusak responded regarding nuclear energy. We have just seen reports that Australias population is set to double. Don't you think that on that basis the nuclear energy is the one and only answer. Coal is not clean, clean coal is a lie. Nuclear energy will power Australia in to the future.

9. Matthew makes this comment

   Thursday, 01 October 2009

   The technology to build electric vehicles that suit the needs of 90% of the population has been around for quite a few years. I can even convert my own car to 100% electric power for abut $10,000. Manufacturers refuse to build these cars because of vested interests and sunk costs, not to mention the fact that an electric motor needs servicing only once every 100,000km. Switching to electric power would dramatically reduce CO2 emissions because even dirty coal powered power stations are much more efficient than cars. What is your policy to provide incentives to car manufacturers to build cars powered by electric motors?

10. Catherine Cusack makes this comment

    Friday, 02 October 2009

    Thanks for your comment Matthew.
    
    The NSW Coalition is really excited about the opportunities that electric vehicles offer in reducing our carbon footprint in NSW. There are many ways in which NSW could be encouraging the uptake of electric vehicles, and we are currently developing some practical plans that will encourage the development of electric vehicles and the infrastructure needed to sustain them. There will be many flow-on benefits as you have identified from an accelerated uptake of electric vehicles.

11. Phil makes this comment

    Thursday, 17 December 2009

    Di I read this correctly? is the last comment on this hot topic Oct 2? - it has been stated that the popultaion will almost double in the next 20 yrs, but Catherine Cusack states that the NSW population is declining relatively - all that means is that it MAY not increase as rapidly as other states - but it will increase.Relying on new light bulbs to lead the way seems desperately shortsighted and totally inadequate