New Belmont Wharf Boosts Safety and Access to Lake Macquarie

 BY OLIVIA HADWEN

A new 71-metre public wharf has opened at Belmont, giving boaties a safer and more accessible way to enjoy Lake Macquarie.

The wharf is 10 metres longer and 2.4 metres wider than the previous structure, which served the community for around 50 years. 

This upgrade will allow more space for recreational vessels to pull alongside and access the foreshore safely. 

The development is part of a $1.6 million state government investment through the Boating Infrastructure for Communities program in partnership with Lake Macquarie Council.

Minister for Hunter and Swansea MP Yasmin Catley said modern and reliable boating infrastructure is essential for locals, businesses and visitors.   

"We have more than 20,000 boats registered locally, meaning this is infrastructure our communities use everyday," she said. 

"This isn't just a nice-to-have, it's infrastructure that locals use and rely on. 

"It's part of our lifestyle to be on the lake, and it's important that we make sure that we've got the infrastructure there for us to enjoy it as well."

The new wharf features steel piles, stronger concrete supports, durable decking, marine-grade fixings and protective vessel fenders. 

It has been built with the purpose to withstand busy marine environments. 

Another improvement is a new marine water pump-out facility, which will give boat owners a safer and more responsible way to dispose of waste while also helping to protect the health of Lake Macquarie.

Minster for Roads and Regional Transport Jenny Aitchison said the state government is invested in improving local waterways.

"The new pump-out facility will also help protect this beautiful waterway so it can continue to be enjoyed for generations to come," she said. 

New Belmont Wharf. Picture: Lake Macquarie City Council

 

HVO Continuation Project Divides Hunter At IPC Hearing

 BY SARAH BOTRILL

The future of one of the Hunter’s largest coal mines is now in the hands of the Independent Planning Commission (IPC), with supporters and opposition presenting arguments this week over the proposed Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) Continuation Project. 

The project, jointly owned by Yancoal and Glencore, would extend the life of the existing open-cut operation near Singleton to 2045 at its northern site, and 2042 at HVO South. 

The NSW Department of Planning referred the project to the IPC after receiving more than 50 objections. 

Supporters argue that the extension is crucial for protecting jobs and regional communities, while environmental groups contend it would undermine New South Wales’ legislated climate targets. 

Mining and Energy Union (MEU) Northern District President Robin Williams said the mine is one of the Hunter's final chances to remain a float while heading into the renewable energy transition. 

"We're supporting the expansion of the Hunter Valley Operations mine… It's about protecting 1,500 direct jobs at that mine," Mr Williams said.

"Then there's a large group of supporting contractors, suppliers. 

"Thousands of families will be impacted if this extension doesn't go ahead for that mine.

"We need this operation to continue so that we can have some form of rational transition from where we are today to where we might need to be in the future."

Environmental advocacy group Lock the Gate Alliance urged the Commission to reject the proposal, arguing the project is incompatible with the state's climate commitments.

NSW Coordinator Nic Clyde said climate change was already affecting communities and that extending coal mining would increase greenhouse gas emissions.

"It's very clear that we need to transition away from coal mining and that our entire planet and our community are suffering as a result of unmitigated climate change," Mr Clyde said. 

Mr Clyde said the Hunter's economy was already beginning to diversify through industries such as green steel manufacturing, pumped hydro energy storage and train manufacturing.

"The challenge ahead is to plan for the future, look after workers and have an orderly closure of these mines as coal demand inevitably reduces," he said.

The Department of Planning has identified key issues including greenhouse gas emissions, biodiversity, water resources, air quality, noise, social and economic impacts, Aboriginal cultural heritage and mine rehabilitation.

The Independent Planning Commission will consider evidence presented during the hearings, along with written submissions from the public, before making its determination later this year.

Picture: Lock The Gate Alliance

Fuel Spill Sparks Lane Closures at Hexham

 BY IAN CROUCH

Emergency crews are at the scene of a large fuel spill from a truck at Hexham.

Newcastle Fire Command says they were called to the New England Highway just past the Pacific Highway turnoff at about 3.00am today (Friday 17 July, 2026).

A semi-trailer has lost around 200 litres of diesel from a ruptured fuel tank over a 300 metre stretch of road.

Two of three westbound lanes are closed while the clean-up continues.

 

Port of Newcastle Gains Approval For Battery Storage

BY RUBY VAN DE WIJGAART

The Port of Newcastle is the first in the state approved to store grid-scale lithium-ion batteries. 

Approval was granted by the NSW Government in late 2025, enabling the port to receive and store the devices for three of the state's largest battery projects -- Origin Energy's Eraring Battery, AGL's Tomago Battery, and Bellambi Heights Battery Energy Storage System.

The projects will gather roughly 1.7 gigawatts of controllable capacity along with 6.8 gigawatts of energy storage, enough to power millions of homes in times of demand. 

The complexity of the cargo requires specialist handling and purposely build infrastructure in order to ensure the safety of the product and those tasked to handle the batteries. 

CEO Craig Carmody says this approval opens up a pipeline for number of renewable opportunities. 

"This is not just important for the port and our diversification strategy," he said. 

"This is another way of firming up the energy supply in NSW, it allows these big industrial projects to push ahead." 

The port is investing in expanded infrastructure at its Multi Purpose Terminal in Mayfield, actively executing a $36 million waterside berth extension to accommodate larger multipurpose vessels.

Picture supplied. 

Fears Held For Missing Newcastle Woman

 BY IAN CROUCH

A search is under way for a Newcastle woman who hasn't been seen in more than a month.

42-year-old Kirsty Hayes was last seen in Darby Street, Cooks Hill sometime between Thursday June 11 and Monday June 15, 2026.

She's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 160cm tall with a thin build, brown hair and green eyes and is known to frequent the Newcastle and Hunter Valley areas.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

 

Missing woman Kirsty Hayes

UPDATE! Appeal Launched To Find Girl Missing From Abermain

 BY IAN CROUCH

 Good News!

Police have advised Shanae Ford has been found.

They've thanked the community for their support in sharing the appeal.

EARLIER:  

Police are asking for out help to find a young girl who's gone missing from the Lower Hunter.

12-year-old Shanae Ford was last seen in Abermain about 2.00pm on Monday 13 July, 2026 and there are concerns for her welfare due to her age.

She's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165 to 170cm tall with a medium build, dark hair and brown eyes.

Shanae is known to frequent the Abermain, Cessnock, Maitland, Rutherford and Lake Macquarie areas.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Cessnock Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

 

Missing girl Shanae Ford

 

 

New Industry Opportunities Sparked by Rezoning Hunter Mining Sites

BY OLIVIA HADWEN

Two mining sites in the Hunter are set to be rezoned for new industry opportunities in renewable energy, warehousing and manufacturing.

Following the closure of Muswellbrook's Mount Arthur Coal Mine in 2030, around 5,400 hectares of the site will be rezoned for the new developments, set to host nearly 6,000 new jobs. 

Meanwhile, the former Macquarie Coal Complex in West Wallsend is ideally positioned to become a major employment precinct as well, featuring at least 500 hectares of developable land. 

The proposed operation will create up to 1,130 new jobs, with direct links to the M1 and Main Northern Railway. 

These are the first major post-mining land transformation plans underneath the Commonwealth Government's $5 million investment alongside state funding. 

The redevelopment of land is set to drive economic growth across the Hunter region and provide job opportunities to local workers. 

NSW Planning and Public Spaces Minister Paul Scully said the state government is acting now to plan for the region's future. 

"These proposals provide a clear pathway for former mining land to support new industries, investment and jobs for decades to come," he said. 

The draft master plans and rezoning proposals are on public exhibition until August 11. 

The community can speak directly with the project team through in-person drop-in sessions set to be held in both Muswellbrook and Lake Macquarie. 

"These plans will help create thousands of local jobs, attract new investment and give Hunter communities confidence that the region will remain one of the state's economic powerhouses," Hunter Minister Yasmin Catley added.