Council
1 February, 2026
Upper Lachlan Council calls extraordinary meeting in relation to gas fired power station
Upper Lachlan Shire Council has called an extraordinary meeting for Monday, February 2 in relation to a proposed gas fired power station near Dalton.
Upper Lachlan Shire Council has called an extraordinary meeting for Monday, February 2 in relation to a proposed gas-fired power station near Dalton.
It appears that at least three councillors have concerns about transparent and meaningful engagement.
The meeting will commence in the Crookwell Council Chambers at 10am on the request of councillors John Searl, Simon Pierce and deputy mayor Robert Cameron.
It will consider a resolution to call on the power station proponent “to engage meaningfully with the local community and to address the Dalton community’s request for open and transparent consultation via a public meeting”.
Specifically, it will call for a public meeting to be held in Dalton “at a time which allows for the participation of community residents”.
AGL is considering plans to construct a gas fired power station at 402 Walshs Road, approximately 4.5 kilometres north of Dalton.
A previous consent was issued for the power station in 2010 but has since lapsed.
It is council’s understanding that AGL is considering the option to submit a new application for a gas turbine power station on the same site and has commenced the ‘scoping’ phase of the process in accordance with NSW Government guidelines.
Council believes the proposal will be classified as a State Significant Development based on the nature of the works.
AGL has already commenced seeking community feedback in relation to the proposal.
A staff report prepared for Tuesday’s meeting concedes that council holds no great sway at this stage of the process.
“Council could argue and recommend that based on the high level of community interest that a public meeting is warranted,” the report states.
“However council is not able to require/enforce the proponent to undertake such a community meeting”.
It says council will have the opportunity for further input if the proposal goes beyond the ‘scoping’ phase – but at this stage AGL is meeting the relevant State Government guidelines in relation to a State Significant Development.
AGL issued a community update earlier this month saying it was looking at the potential for a gas fired power station on the Walshs Road site but at this stage “no decision has been made to submit a development application”.
“We are in the early stages of investigation and actively seeking engagement and feedback from the community,” the update says.
It has looked at numerous sites across NSW but the Dalton site is considered ‘desirable’ because of its proximity to a major gas pipeline and electricity grid connection.
“AGL is committed to ensuring that communities hosting our projects share in the benefits,” the update says.
“We will work closely with community members, Traditional Custodians and local councils to identify benefit sharing arrangements that reflect local priorities as our investigations proceed and are keen to hear from you with ideas on how we can help support the region.
“Should the project proceed, it will also bring local economic opportunities,” the update says.
“These include jobs in construction, electrical and civil works, site maintenance, logistics and environmental management.
“Where possible, we prioritise local suppliers and contractors to support the local economy as part of environmental, social and governance commitments”.
When the initial proposal was touted 16 years ago community concerns related to air pollution, noise, the visual impact of gas exhaust chimneys, water use and traffic impacts.
Dalton residents celebrated in 2017 when AGL withdrew its application for a power station on the Walshs Bay site and advised that it would “take a step back and conduct a search for the most suitable site for this project”.
At the time AGL acknowledged that Dalton may still be the best site for the project but it would have to submit a completely new development application and have it approved before the development could go ahead.
Members of the public are welcome to attend Upper Lachlan Council’s February 2 meeting.
Read More: Southern Tablelands, Dalton