Community
13 August, 2026
Community must present a collective voice on gas plant proposal
Opponents of a proposed gas-fired power plant in Moss Vale can’t afford to sit back and do nothing – they need to mobilise and make sure their concerns are collectively heard.
Opponents of a proposed gas-fired power plant in Moss Vale can’t afford to sit back and do nothing – they need to mobilise and make sure their concerns are collectively heard.
That was one of the key messages from speakers at Sunday’s Stop the Gas Plant community forum at the Moss Vale RSL Club.
Wingecarribee Shire councillor Heather Champion – who said she was speaking in a personal capacity and as a member of Stop the Gas Plant Southern Highlands – urged people to get involved.
“Community power is often the strongest power that we have available to us,” she told an audience of approximately 400 people.
Ms Champion said there was an urgent need for action.
She said the Stop the Gas Plant campaign was working – but it needed to get bigger and it needed to happen quickly.
She said the next few weeks would be critical.
Ms Champion said opponents needed to “stand together and multiply our impact”.
“The campaign needs to belong to the whole community,” she said.
Ms Champion said people could become involved in a number of different ways – including making a submission via www.stopthegasplant.com or signing up as a volunteer.
Additionally, they can help spread the word by discussing their concerns with friends and family.
Local groups are being urged to contact Stop the Gas Plant Southern Highlands to find out how they can become part of a Stop the Gas Plant alliance.
Opponents are particularly keen to have the support of groups from the tourism and agriculture sectors.
Ms Champion said Stop the Gas Plant Southern Highlands would be focusing on three different pathways to defeat the Moss Vale proposal.
Firstly, she said, the group was hoping to make the project “too risky to proceed” by highlighting the wide-ranging health and environmental concerns.
Secondly, pressure would be placed on the NSW Government to press ‘pause’ on the current State Significant Development application and ultimately refuse it.
Ms Champion said important progress was already being made in this regard.
Thirdly, the group is hoping to build on current momentum and help shape the Federal Government’s data centre standards.
NSW Greens Senator David Shoebridge suggested residents contact their State and Federal MPs and tell them “we’re not willing to wait”.
“Tell them you want action now,” he said.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced last month that the Federal Government would legislate new standards for data centres, setting out clear rules relating to energy, water and where they are built.
However, many people fear the proposed Moss Vale gas-fired power plant will get the green light before the legislation is in place.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young is currently chairing a Federal Inquiry into Artificial Intelligence, examining the effectiveness of existing regulatory frameworks, the impact of data centres on communities, industries and the environment and any other related matters.
The deadline for making a submission to the inquiry has been extended until September 1.
Submissions can be made online via the Parliament of Australia Committee Page at www.aph.com.au
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