The Australian Greens have called for government investment to kick-start a solar thermal plant at Port Augusta to replace the two power stations slated for closure.

Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Senator Penny Wright said jobs in the renewable energy sector could replace those expected to be lost in Port Augusta.

"Although the closure of the power stations was inevitable, it will hit the community very hard. This just makes it even clearer that the future has to be renewable," Senator Wright said.

The Australian Greens will today introduce a bill to give South Australian landholders the right to say no to coal and gas mining on their land.

The bill also seeks to ban all fracking for unconventional gas, said Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Penny Wright.

"It's a disgrace that landholders still do not have any legal rights to protect their land, water and climate from coal and gas mining," Senator Wright said.

"It sets landholders up for a David and Goliath battle, because the mining companies know farmers don't have any options.

The Australian Greens say the Abbott Government is shirking responsibility by waiving a new environmental impact statement for the proposed expansion of Olympic Dam.

"The Federal Government needs to do its job and stop putting the private profits of the big mining companies ahead of the environment," said South Australian Greens Senator Penny Wright.

"This is a short-sighted measure, which shows how little the Government cares about environmental protection."

The Labor and Liberal Parties have voted down an Australian Greens motion congratulating the South East Local Government Association's unanimous vote in favour of a moratorium on unconventional gas.

New South Australian Family First Senator Bob Day also voted against the motion moved in the Senate today by Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Penny Wright.

Senator Wright said she was surprised South Australian senators hadn't shown more support.

I move that the Senate:

1.      notes the importance of protecting valuable agricultural, residential and conservation land from unconventional gas activities;

2.      supports the right of landholders and local residents to say "no" to unconventional gas exploration and mining in their communities;

3.      recognises the concerns expressed by communities in the South East of South Australia over potential groundwater contamination from unconventional gas activities; and

The Greens have congratulated Alinta Energy for their decision to proceed with a feasibility study into a solar thermal power station with storage, in Port Augusta. 

“This is a great step forward for South Australia and a win for the dedicated Port Augusta community who have been campaigning for a base-load solar thermal power station for years,” South Australian Greens Senator Penny Wright said. 

“Solar thermal will keep jobs in Port Augusta, improve the health of the community and uniquely position the town for the future.

The Australian Greens will explore avenues to appeal a decision allowing seismic testing off the coast of Kangaroo Island.

The application by Canadian company Bight Petroleum to conduct seismic testing as a precursor to oil and gas drilling has been approved by NOPSEMA, despite strong community opposition.

Australian Greens Senator for South Australia Penny Wright said she would explore avenues for appeal when further documents are released.