REDBANK POWER STATION – IPC Refusal Welcomed

BY PETER HYSLOP

The Independent Planning Commission’s decision to deny the Redbank Power Stations biomass burning plan is being welcomed by environmentalists.

The proposal put forward by Verdant Earth would have burned 700,000 tonnes of vegetation annually.

The Commission received nearly 600 submissions, with 94.6% of them against the project.

Greens MLC Sue Higginson says it’s a welcome decision.

“What is so clear is that the IPC had enough material Infront of it to determine this is not a project in the public interest to be proposed here and now in 2025,” she said.

Nature Conservation Council CEO Jacqui Mumford says the Commission’s made the right decision.

“We already have a land clearing crisis in New South Wales, so to propose [this kind of] project at this time is a really terrible idea for the environment and the climate,” she said.

Photo credit: Verdant Earth Technologies

NEWCASTLE BUSES – Drivers Vote for More Industrial Action

 BY PETER HYSLOP

Newcastle and Lake Macquarie bus drivers with the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) have voted to take further industrial action, but the operator is yet to be formally notified.

Action may include service cancellations. Earlier action this year left school children and commuters stranded with little notice. It’s expected at least for the next few days, services will continue as normal.

The union says they will advise the company and the Fair Work Commission with ample notice if a stoppage takes place.

Tram and Bus Division President Peter Grech says opal readers have already been switched off.

“This was an extension of the first Protected Action Ballot, and this gives us further movement on that.

“We probably foresee a stoppage, or withdrawal of work in the coming weeks,” he said.

Photo via Wikimedia Commons

BREAKING! Muswellbrook Rocked By Earthquake

 BY IAN CROUCH

The Upper Hunter has been shaken by an early-morning earthquake.

The 3.7 magnitude quake struck in the centre of the Mount Arthur coal mine just south of Muswellbrook at about 2.20am today (Tuesday 16 September, 2025).

The quake was recorded at a depth of 3km and was picked up on seismic monitoring hundreds of kilometres away.

Geoscience Australia has received around 90 felt reports, with dozens of Muswellbrook residents reporting the jolt.

There have been no reports of damage or injury at this stage.

 

Geoscience Australia shake map shows dozens of felt reports around Muswellbrook 

BARTON OVAL NO 1 – Club Says Vandalism “Frustrating”

 A club which uses Barton Oval Number 1 at Belmont says field vandalism has caused headaches for management and regular users. 

It’s estimated the damage caused by cars tearing up the field during the weekend will cost ten thousand dollars to fix.  

Lake Macquarie Council says suspicious activity from Friday night should be reported to police.  

Lakes United Seagulls Club Executive Committee Member Grant Thompson-Lang says they’ve had minor problems with vandalism before.

 “It’s a very open field area, opened park area so we get a lot of motorbikes and electric scooters and things like that, and they have created damage before but not to this extent and this one was a car,” he said.

BREAKING! Firefighters Battling Blaze At Edgeworth Shopping Centre

 BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters have been called to a shopping centre fire at Edgeworth.

Emergency services were called to Edgeworth Town Square on Main Road at about 4.45am to find a loading dock on fire.

Six fire trucks are at the scene.

Newcastle Fire Command says 24 firefighters are battling the blaze which has been contained to the loading dock where a large industrial bin is on fire.

It's understood some people have been safely evacuated and no-one's been injured.

 

BREAKING! Popular Hamilton Pub Held Up At Gunpoint

 BY IAN CROUCH

A popular Hamilton hotel has been held up at gunpoint early today (Friday 12 September, 2025).

Police say around 3.40am an unknown person entered the Sydney Junction Hotel on Beaumont Street armed with a pistol and threatened staff.

The alleged offender took an amount of cash before leaving the business.

No-one was injured.

Police have set up a crime scene and are appealing for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
 

 

Drugs and Knife Allegedly Found During Vehicle Stop At Cameron Park

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to front court today for a man after police allegedly found drugs and a knife in his vehicle at Cameron Park.

Around 10.30am on Tuesday September 9, Highway Patrol officers stopped a vehicle on Cameron Park Drive.

It's alleged the 22-year-old driver returned a positive reading to methamphetamine, cannabis and cocaine.

A search of the vehicle allegedly uncovered a large knife, cannabis, cocaine, MDMA and ketamine.

The man's been refused bail charged with drug supply and possession offences and having custody of a knife in a public place.