Mixed Opinions Surface Around HVO Mine Approval

BY JOSEPH GIBSON 

Years of discussion have now lead to the approval of the Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) Continuation Project by the state's Independent Planning Commission (IPC). 

The HVO facility is an already pre-existing multi-pit open cut coal mining operation situated 24km northwest of Singleton.

The IPC have approved an extension of mining works in the facility's north pit to 2045 and south pit to 2042.  

The project will also include an upgrade to approved mining areas, as well as permission to mine deeper coal seams.

Mining and Energy Union (MEU) Northern Mining and NSW Energy district president Robin Williams said the approval is a major win for workers. 

"It's a great relief for the 1500 mine workers around the Hunter and their families, giving them more certainty for the future," he said. 

MEU general president Grahame Kelly said it will support local businesses and the state's economy moving forward. 

"This project deserved approval, and the Commission has made the right call," he said. 

"Workers have waited a long time for this decision. 

"Today they can finally look ahead with more confidence."

However, concerns over the environmental impacts have surfaced with an estimated 950 hectares of land affected including approximately 185 hectares of native vegetation.

"The approval of the HVO Extension is the largest climate policy failure in NSW history," said Rising Tide spokesperson Campbell Knox. 

“According to two published studies on the mortality impacts of carbon pollution, a conservative death toll for this project’s emissions is 87,000."

HVO has proposed measures to limit their impact on local biodiversity, with the IPC granting the approval with strict conditions to mitigate environmental impacts. 

Meanwhile, the state's Department of Planning concludes that the economic benefits would be considerable, whilst acknowledging environmental impacts.

The project is now pending approval from the federal government. 

Picture: Hunter Valley Operations

BREAKING! Firefighters Called To Petrol Station Blaze At Tarro.

 BY IAN CROUCH

 Fire crews are battling a blaze at a service  station in Tarro.

 Newcastle Fire Command says they received around 20 calls at about 10.15am today (Thursday 1 October 2026) to report a column of thick black smoke rising from the Metro station on Anderson Drive.

Crews arrived to find two 300kg gas cylinders at the rear of the service station involved in fire and a nearby home under threat.

Around 25 firefighters from five stations along with a Hazmat crew managed to extinguish the fire and stop it spreading to the nearby property.

It's believed the service station building has sustained only minor damage - crews are checking the roof space for fire extension.

A spokesman for Fire and rescue NSW says one of the cylinders is still venting and crews are using a fine mist of water to help dispel the gas and prevent re-ignition.

Crews are expected to remain at the scene for some time.  

It's understood Anderson Drive was closed for period but has since re-opened.

The cause of the blaze is being investigated. 

 

   

Armed Robbery On Mayfield West Service Station and Teen Boys Stuck On Roof After Alleged Break-In At New Lambton

 BY IAN CROUCH

An investigation is under way after an armed robbery on a Mayfield West service station last night.

Police say at about 9.45pm on Monday 28 September 2026, a man entered the Shell outlet on Maud Street and threatened the attendant with a  knife before leaving with cash.

The worker was not injured and police have established a crime scene.

Anyone who may have witnessed the incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Meanwhile, three boys have become stuck on the roof of a tobacconist shop in New Lambton after they allegedly tried to make off with goods valued at more than $60,000. 

Police were called to the Alma Road shop just before 1.00am today (Tuesday 29 September, 2026) and arrested the trio - two boys aged 16 and one aged 17.

All three were taken to Newcastle Police Station where they were charged with aggravated break and enter in company - steal more than $60,000.

They've been granted conditional bail to face the Children's Court on October 19.

Beaumont St CCTV Funding Missed Due To Council Delays

BY NICHOLAS KING

Months of delays and postponing have resulted in the City of Newcastle (CN) missing a vital opportunity to secure funding for the installation of nine CCTV cameras along Beaumont Street.

The NSW Government's Safer Cities grant program opened for applications on January 30 to provide funding to local councils for projects intended to improve public safety, including measures like CCTV in public spaces.

Despite community calls for the surveillance for more than a year, CN failed to endorse the project in time to submit an application.

A formal motion to support a trial for CCTV was tabled for the council's meeting in February, but the vote was repeatedly pushed back to April.

Applications for the grant closed on March 6.

CN submitted an application to the Active Regional Communities Grant program instead, which was not successful. 

Meanwhile, Central Coast Council received $2 million under the Safer Cities program for a similar CCTV rollout. 

Newcastle Liberal Councillor Jenny Barrie has criticised the state government's denial of their application, questioning why the Central Coast Council received the funding. 

However, Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp shut down Cr Barrie's comments.

"It [CN's application] probably didn't fit the criteria as well as it would have for the Safer Cities grant," he said. 

"Council had to be dragged kicking and screaming to act on CCTV. 

"They said they would debate it at their first meeting of 2026, then it became the first quarter, then it became the second quarter.

“If we had a cooperative council, including Jenny Barrie, from day dot, we could have CCTV installed already.”

In response to Mr Crakanthorp's comments, CN councillor Callum Pull said the MP is misleading the public.

"When Tim Crakanthorp was a Councillor he not only opposed the installation of CCTV but he and his Labor colleagues made it the formal position of the Council to not support council-run CCTV," said Cr Pull.

"Not only did he close the door but locked it behind him. 

"It was not until 2026 that thanks to the efforts of Councillor Barrie the formal position of Council changed. 

"Council did in fact apply for the grant Mr Crakanthorp refers to and was once again knocked back. 

"The BIA and Council have been identifying strategies to tackle Crime in Beaumont Street through initiatives like the Hamilton Safety Audit, but his Government have been either unsupportive or failed to provide the resources needed to implement them.

"What residents can take away from this is that when Tim Crakanthorp says the NSW Government will fund something, what he really means is that we can send in an application to a grants’ program and we might or might not get it. 

"At no point over the past few months has Tim ever said that there is an asterisk beside the Government’s support for the installation of CCTV. 

"This is yet another lame attempt from Tim Crakanthorp to deflect blame."

State Government Denies Funding For Beaumont St CCTV

 BY OLI GOELDNER

Newcastle Liberal councillor Jenny Barrie is slamming the state government's refusal to provide funding for a proposed CCTV trial on Beaumont Street. 

As anti-social behaviour along the Hamilton strip continues to rise, Cr Barrie and the Hamilton Business Improvement Association (BIA) are calling for more protection measures to be put in place. 

In April, Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp tabled a petition with more than 1000 signatures to Newcastle deputy lord mayor Charlotte McCabe advocating for the installation, days after the release of the Hamilton Community Safety Audit. 

The audit outlined several recommendations to help reduce anti-social behaviour along Beaumont Street, including the installation of CCTV surveillance at nine different locations. 

Newcastle council and the Hamilton BIA agreed to fund the proposal, as long as the state government covered half. 

The Hamilton BIA applied for $100,000 in state funding for the project to the Active Regional Communities package, which has since been denied. 

Now, Cr Barrie said the state government is kicking it down the road as an election promise. 

"I just don't think that's good enough," she said. 

"What happens if they can't get enough money for Newcastle in the election commitments, and if they do get approved it will be next June before the money comes through and then installed by at least August.

"We've been talking about this for two years." 

However, Mr Crakanthorp said he's still committed to the project, despite the setback. 

"I want to see CCTV on Beaumont St delivered as soon as possible," he said. 

"I'd see this more as a speed hump than a roadblock. 

"I'll continue to advocate for that money."

On Wednesday morning, Cr Barrie met with residents, businesses and the Hamilton Community Safety Committee to discuss their next possible options. 

Newcastle Council To Consider Banning Smart Glasses

BY RUBY VAN DE WIJGAART

Newcastle councillors are pushing a motion to ban smart glasses from council facilities, including pools and ocean baths. 

The increased popularity of the glasses with secret imbedded cameras has sky rocketed, with retail stores such as Kmart selling them at cheap prices. 

The spike has prompted many officials to harbour concerns around safety and privacy in public spaces, especially that of women and children. 

Councillor Deahnna Richardson said she understands the concerns of the community as a mother herself

"It just feels insurmountable to sort of address this on your own and to take responsible measures around what you can control as an individual to protect yourself, protect you kids, especially if you're quite vulnerable in the community," she said. 

The motion, being put forward by herself and councillors Declan Clausen, Peta Winney-Baartz, Paige Johnson and Elizabeth Adamczyk, will look to prohibit the use of wearable technology in council buildings and facilities. 

The notice of motion requests Council "work with the operators, licensees and lessees of City of Newcastle (CN) owned facilities, including Beresfield childcare centre, CN swimming centres, ocean baths and sporting facility change rooms". 

However, the motion does note some people do use the technology as a method of assistance, including those who are visually impaired. 

"There are people out there in the community who use smart glasses as assistive technology and for them it's life changing," said Cr Richardson. 

"But, as we know, historically with the use of technology, the onus has been on the individual to use it ethically and responsibly. 

"And, we know that doesn't always happen." 

Council will discuss the matter at Tuesday night's Ordinary Council Meeting. 

Pictures: Meta, City of Newcastle

BREAKING! Tenambit Home Destroyed In Fierce Overnight Fire

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed a home at Tenambit overnight.

Newcastle Fire Command says they received 15 triple zero calls to a medium-sized single level brick and tile house in Lavinia Close, with the first crew arriving just after 12.30am today (Friday 18 September 2026) to find the property engulfed in flames.

Five fire trucks and an aerial appliance responded to the blaze.

Around 20 firefighters fought the flames for almost 4 hours, unable to enter the property due to the intensity of the blaze.

The roof collapsed at the height of the fire, with the property reduced to a pile smouldering rubble.

All the occupants have been accounted for and an investigation will get under way to determine how the fire started.