Fresh from successfully stalling plans by the State Government to sell Electricity assets owned by the NSW public, local campaigners are calling on the decision to be taken to the people.
“We were really pleased that Phil Koperberg came out in opposition to Costa’s ill thought out proposal,” said El Gibbs from PeoplePower Blue Mountains. “His principled stand sent a message from the ordinary people of the Blue Mountains that our power is not for sale.”
Political commentators agreed that Koperberg’s public response was a major factor in Michael Costa taking privatisation off the table until September.
“We’ve won a battle, but this is far from over,” said Gibbs. “It’s important that the people have a say on what is, after all, one fifth of what we own collectively in this state.”
At a packed public meeting in Katoomba in late May Phil Koperberg floated the idea of a plebiscite on power privatisation, a suggestion that has been eagerly supported by local anti-power privatisation campaigners.
“We didn’t get a say before the last state election, so the upcoming council elections provide a perfect opportunity for mountains residents to have their say and for Phil Koperberg to measure the community response to Michael Costa’s proposal,” said Gibbs.
PeoplePower Blue Mountains is moving to develop a community-based response to the challenge of securing the future of local energy needs
A forum has been scheduled for August 10 under the name of “Where Were You When The Lights Went Out” which is designed for people to get the latest information - scientific, economic, technical and political - on where our community stands on the future of energy.
“We’re just ordinary people trying to find out the best and latest information on what this crisis means for the Blue Mountains,” said Gibbs. “We’ll be getting along some speakers that are really across these issues, and it is a great opportunity for people in the Blue Mountains to bring themselves up to speed on this issue.”
The forum will run from 1pm to 4pm at Katoomba Civic Centre on Sunday August 10 and entry is free.
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