Anti-Coal Protest At Sandgate Lands Nine People In Court

 BY IAN CROUCH

Nine people are set to front court today over an anti-coal protest in Newcastle.

The group stopped a coal train on Maitland Road at Sandgate at about 10.00am on Wednesday.

Police arrested four men aged between 24 and 69 and five women aged  between 18 and 66.

They were charged with stopping the train and entering enclosed lands with a serious safety risk.

They've been held in custody pending their appearance in Newcastle Local Court on Thursday morning.

Protesters stopped a coal train at Sandgate. Picture Rising Tide

50 Charged Over New Coal Protest at Sandgate

BY OLIVIA DILLON

All 50 people involved in an anti-coal protest which stopped a train at Sandgate yesterday have now been charged. 

Around 20 people scaled the train which was heading to the Port of Newcastle, and used shovels to unload coal from its carriages. 

Others surrounded the carriage, chanting and waving signs and banners. 

Police say two people damaged property, and a third assaulted a security officer while attempting to gain entry into the rail corridor. 

The protestors were reportedly linked to the Rising Tide climate group. 

The action shut down the line to Kooragang Island for at least three hours.  

Image: Rail Express

NSW Greens Pledge to Use Coal Royalties to Fund the Region's Energy Transition

BY OLIVIA DILLON

The NSW Greens have announced they will introduce a new authority to support the Hunter's transition away from coal, if they win the state election. 

The NSW Transition Authority will use a budget of $500 million, to assist coal-dependent communities to diversify their local economies. 

The Authority will be funded using a progressive coal royalty system, modelled off one currently operating in Queensland. 

It's already estimated to earn the state government an extra $8 billion per year. 

The body will also ban new coal and gas projects like the one slated for Narrabri, will help re-train and place mine workers in new industries. 

Greens MP Abigail Boyd, said coal-ash recycling is one such example. 

"There are thousands of jobs that we can create in various industries, but one of the ones that the Greens have been working with the community for over the last four years in Parliament, is this growing awareness that there is a huge amount of coal-ash sitting in coal-fired power stations, that you can actually turn into light-weight construction aggregates; you can use them in roads, and in pathways."

She also said local residents and workers will be involved in every step of the process. 

Image: Lock the Gate

Federal MP alleges Hunter mine operators lying about coal quality

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Federal Government is seeking a briefing from the Australian Securities and Investment Commission, after claims aired in Parliament, mine operators across the Hunter and Australia, are lying about coal quality. 

Independent MP Andrew Wilkie raised the allegations in Canberra on Monday, naming local operators Glencore and Peabody, as well as Anglo-American and Macquarie Bank. 

He told Parliament, a whistleblower coal executive has handed over thousands of documents as proof. 

The documents are purported to show fraud making out that Australian exports are of higher and cleaner quality than they actually are.

Testing firm ALS has also been implicated, just two years after admitting to falsifying up to 50 percent of results at its Newcastle lab. 

The corporate regulator has taken no action on ALS, but four staff members were suspended and then left the company.

If true, the allegations are likely to raise questions about the impact on emissions and the environment, as well as overseas sales and the economy.

Mt Arthur closure date sparks critical eight years for mine workers

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The next eight years will be important to get right, say advocates for local mine workers, as BHP announces plans to close the Mt Arthur coal mine in 2030.

The company revealed the decision yesterday, after failing to find a buyer to take over the site.

The mine has approval until 2026 and intended to extend its lifespan until 2045, but will now apply with the expectation to end operations in 2030.

The Mining and Energy Union is now calling on BHP to reinvest in workers and their families, as well as the broader community impacted by the closure.

Northern District Mining President Robin Williams says it's come as a surprise to a lot of workers.

"When they started to work at the mine, they probably started there thinking that they'd probably retire at the mine, and now that's not going to be realised by the vast majority of people that work at that operation," he said.

"There's not going to be enough jobs, in my opinion, in the rehabilitation of the mine or renewables around the area, if renewables end up eventuating to take up the account of all those people.

"Whether or not they can transition to other mines that are still going to be operational around the area, I guess that remains to be seen."

BHP is promising to take responsibility for the region's transition and help diversify the Hunter Valley economy ahead of the impending closure.

The company says it will consult employees, local businesses, indigenous groups, and all levels of government to develop a plan for the region's future.

Hunter MP-elect Dan Repacholi says he's hoping to work with BHP and make sure the company gets a fair outcome by the end of the decade.

"For the workers, this has given some security for the next eight years, which I think that's a good thing," he said. "I appreciate BHP being upfront with the workers and the community about the future of the mine site there."

"The big thing is though, they need to make sure the highly-skilled workforce be supported, and job transfer opportunities available and training available for them then to go into different industries."

"I've worked in the mining energy sector, and I have mates that actually work at this mine site - this is a personal issue for me."

Image credit: BHP.

Muswellbrook's Mt Arthur coal mine to end operations in 2030

BY DAKOTA TAIT

BHP says, it will close the Mt Arthur coal mine at Muswellbrook in 2030, after the company couldn't find a buyer for the site.

The mine, which is the largest in NSW and employs around 2,000 people, had been seeking to extend it's existing approval from 2026 to 2045.

It will now seek to extend the mine's lifespan by just four years.

The company informed the stock exchange on Thursday about its decision, which comes after a two-year review.

It's understood, Mt Arthur has been facing significant financial challenges.

Image credit: BHP.

Greens make final pitch to Hunter voters ahead of election weekend

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Greens have made a last-minute pitch to Hunter voters, just days out from the Federal Election.

It's considered a real possibility the minor party could hold the balance of power from the crossbench, offering confidence and supply to the next Government in the case of a hung parliament.

The party's promising to address local issues including housing affordability, for dental to be included in medicare coverage, climate action, and a 10-year job-for-job guarantee scheme for coal workers through the energy transition.

Senate Candidate David Shoebridge says mining jobs won't stick around, and the major parties need to prepare today.

"It's remarkable that both other major parties seem to think that coal's future will go on indefinitely," Mr Shoebridge said.

"We know that's not true, and we need politics to be honest about this, but also ensure that coal-dependent communities and coal-dependent economies have not just a lifeline, but a prosperous post-coal future."

The party's pushing a six percent wealth tax on billionaires, as well as a crackdown on tax avoidance and subsidies for corporations, to help fund the policies.

Greens Senate Candidate David Shoebridge and Newcastle Candidate Charlotte McCabe.

Coal exploration licence ruled out at Wollombi

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A potential coal exploration licence at Wollombi has been ruled out.  

The Deputy Premier shot down the possibility, under questioning at Budget Estimates this morning.   

It's understood, Wollombi and Ganguddy-Kelgoola near Rylstone in the Central Tableands were both being considered by the State Government.  

Independent MP Justin Field says it's a great outcome for the regions and for the local environment. 

Image credit: visitwollombi.com.au

Hunter miners losing out on more than $235 million due to labour hire

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A new study has revealed, the Hunter is losing out on more than $250 million in economic activity each year, due to wage-cutting strategies by mining companies through labour hire.

The McKell Institute report found, mining regions across the country are missing out on more than $1 billion.

The local electorates of Hunter and Paterson alone, which have the highest proportion of employment in coal across NSW, are estimated to be shortchanged $235.85 million.

The Mining and Energy Union is slamming labour hire practices, arguing outsourced jobs allow companies to circumvent long-standing enterprise agreements and offer lower wages instead.

Northern Mining and NSW Energy District President Robin Williams says the loopholes are unfair on working people.

"Obviously the model that employers are currently using, outsourcing labour to casual contractors, those people are casual, they're paid significantly less," Mr Williams said.

"$30,000 to $40,000 a year, doesn't give them the ability to turn up to the bank and get a home loan, because they're casual employees.

"That's the big impact." 

It's believed, Hunter Valley coal workers could be losing out on as much as 40 percent of their wages, as well as redundancy entitlements.

The union is hoping the upcoming Federal Election is a chance to turn things around.

Mr Williams says the coal industry is the backbone of the region, and voters should consider the issue at the ballot box.

"The solution from our perspective is that we need to change the government," Mr Williams said.

"We need same jobs, same pay - when you've got a coal company employing people directly, that's fine.

"When they employ labour hire at reduced rates, we need legislation to circumvent that."

Dartbrook Coal Mine approved for five year extension

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Dartbrook Coal Mine at Aberdeen has been given a five year lifeline, after years of legal struggles.

The NSW Land and Environment Court has upheld an appeal by Australian Pacific Coal to continue operations until 2027.

The company were allowed to re-open the controversial site in 2019, but the Independent Planning Commission told them then, only until 2022.

The mine was originally closed in 2006, after a number of safety issues, including the deaths of three people.

Image credit: http://www.aqcltd.com/

Eraring Power Station to close seven years early

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Origin Energy have announced they're now seeking approval to close the Eraring Power Station in August 2025 seven years of schedule.

The Hunter Valley facility is Australia's biggest coal-fired power plant.

It's the company's only coal-fired generator, meaning it will rely on gas and renewables for power from now on.

It comes as the State Government announces $100 billion worth in expressions of interest for the Hunter-Central Coast Renewable Zone. 

AGL announced last week its Bayswater Power Station could close as early as 2030 and no later than 2033.

Liddell is already set to shut next year.

Image credit:www.originenergy.com.au

Hunter coalition to advise Parliament on plans to future-proof the region

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter Jobs Alliance has been offered a place on an expert panel to advise State Parliament on how to spend an annual $25 million as part of the Royalties for Rejuvenation fund for mining communities.

It's hoped the money could help further the Alliance's push for a new "Hunter Valley Authority", which would help guide the region's development alongside the Government in a similar way to the new panel. 

The Alliance was launched last November as a coalition of unions and environmental organisations to help the region and local mining communities move into a post-coal economy.

They're hoping to launch a new Future-proofing the Hunter: Voices from our community report at an event in Singleton this evening, based on consultation with the community.

Alliance coordinator Warrick Jordan says it's the sort of ideas in that report they'll be taking to the panel.

"There's things that are focused on supporting individual workers, there's support for small businesses, in particular to diversify, that's an essential part of any regional adjustment program," Mr Jordan said.

"There's also longer-term approaches around attracting investment and attracting and diversifying industry."

More than 100 people are expected the attend the launch of the report at Club Singleton this evening, but the Alliance will join Business Hunter, the NSW Indigenous Chamber of Commerce, and an organisation representing the region's ten councils at a roundtable in Singleton on December 6.

Mr Jordan says it's a real privilege for the Alliance to be able to advocate for the Hunter.

"We know that when you're trying to get to grips with major economic changes, it's really important to have as many community voices around the table as possible, and it's really important to be feeding those ideas in," Mr Jordan said.

"The Hunter Jobs Alliance is just one voice of many, and there's a lot of stakeholders who've got good things to contribute."

This comes after weeks of protests by Blockade Australia activists at the Port of Newcastle and Hunter coal train lines, with fears local workers sympathetic to environmental concerns may have been alienated.

But Mr Jordan says a just transition doesn't need to compromise on the climate.

"You know, global issues around climate change and the like, that obviously a lot of people are concerned about," Mr Jordan said.

"There's a place for a more common sense response, and a more middle-ground conversation, and we think that the community is absolutely up for that, and we can see progress on that front."

Hunter's Coal Industry Soul-Searching After United Nations Climate Change Report

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter's coal industry has been forced to do some serious soul-searching this week, after the release of a United Nations report calling for the end of fossil fuel usage amidst a "code red for humanity".

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) found that billions of people would soon be at risk due to greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, and a prospective global temperature increase of 1.5 degrees by 2040.

Despite the findings, the Federal Government have maintained they will continue to support the fossil fuel sector to meet a rising coal demand in coming decades.

Shortland MP and Shadow Minister Assisting for Climate Change Pat Conroy says the report should be a "wake-up call". 

"It's very sober reading, it's depressing quite frankly," Mr Conroy said.

"But the good news is that the report makes it very clear that it's not too late for humans to arrest this global warming, and arrest and avoid the worst impacts of climate change."

"There is still hope, but it needs the world to take a concerted action to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions."

The Opposition has faced its own internal strife about climate change policy, with Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon playing down the country's contributions to global emissions, and Paterson MP Meryl Swanson calling for a measured approach to preserve local jobs.

But Mr Conroy says the lack of action isn't just bad for the environment, but a poor business decision too. 

"We're missing out on these huge economic opportunities of the new industries that are being created to help decarbonise the world," Mr Conroy said.

"We're missing out on electric vehicle manufacturing, battery manufacturing on a significant scale, and all the other industries."

"There's a huge economic opportunity if we take action on climate change, and a huge cost if we don't."

Union Wins Landmark Workplace Agreement After Three-Year BHP Battle

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A three-year workplace negotiations dispute between BHP and the union Professionals Australia has finally ended after the Fair Work Commission ruled in favour of workers to establish a new deal.

The new enterprise agreement, the first to cover mine supervisors, locks in key conditions such as redundancy provisions for workers at BHP's Mount Arthur coal mine at Muswellbrook.

Workers had been repeatedly shut down by BHP while attempting to secure protections for the conditions over the past three years.

The mine was also recently put up for sale by the company, raising concern about possible job losses.

The union's Collieries’ Staff Division Director Catherine Bolger says the decision meant "certainty and security" for around 75 families.

"The agreement has been a long time in the making," Ms Bolger said. "Initially BHP were reluctant to have an agreement for their supervisors." 

"It's also a landmark for other supervisors in the Hunter Valley who now concede that their colleagues at Mount Arthur have won an agreement and it provides them the benchmark that they can also pursue."

The Fair Work Commission found that BHP's conduct was unfair and that they had used delay tactics in breach of the Fair Work Act.

Ms Bolger says the union is looking forward to working with the company to implement the new agreement.

Image credit: https://www.bhp.com/

Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon Accused of "Green Washing" the Re-Start of Upper Hunter Power Station

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon is under fire after backing the controversial Redbank Power Station earlier this week.

The Warkworth site is set to be reopened as a wood-waste biomass power station, after being closed as a coal-fired station in 2014.

Mr Fitzgibbon, the former Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Resources,  says the generator will be beneficial to keeping the state's electricity supply reliable and affordable.

But local activists in the Redbank Action Group said claims that the recommissioned station, once Australia's biggest polluting electricity generator, will produce green and renewable energy were simply unfounded. 

Environmental advocates say between industrial logging projects, truck movements, and the burning of forest waste, the station could be even more destructive than before.

Redbank Action Group's David Burgess says the numbers simply don't add up to sustainability.

“This is our valley’s transition nightmare,” Mr Burgess said. “At a time when the best minds in the Hunter are coming together to negotiate a difficult path beyond coal, the last thing we need is a Trojan horse of fake forest logging jobs masquerading as green energy.”

Mr Fitzgibbon denied accusations about the Redbank project, saying the station will be a "multiple win".

"Forestry is a renewable product, so this is an environmentally sound proposal which will also allow us to recommission a big power station and make the timber industry more profitable," Mr Fitzgibbon said.

"There are some people who are against everything, isn't there?" Mr Fitzgibbon said.

"Of course, where you have employment you have truck movements, and I'm sure that can be managed, but this is an exciting opportunity to recommission Redbank Power Station."

Image credit: https://verdantearthtechnologieslimited.com/

"Coal Industry Needs Growth Plan Not Transition Plan" - Nationals MP's Continuing Tour of the Hunter

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Federal Nationals MP'S are continuing their three day tour of the Hunter, after arriving in the region on Monday. 

Senator Matt Canavan is being joined by Senators Bridget McKenzie and and Perin Davey, touring the Port of Newcastle on Monday followed by a meat works and the Rix's Creek Coal Mine in the Hunter Valley on Tuesday.

Senator Canavan says the Hunter's coal industry needs a 'growth' plan not a 'transition' plan.

"Any credible political representative for this region has to have a growth plan for coal jobs in the Hunter. We've got a plan for the Hunter for more jobs, not just different jobs, and that's the big difference between us and the Labor party here."

"Just a report out today from the office of the chief economist in the Australian Government shows in the next five years they're predicting growth in thermal coal exports from Australia, about a ten percent growth." 

"There is a hungry demand for our coal and we should try to meet that, because the more we mine the best quality coal here in the Hunter the better it'll be for the world."

Senator Davey denied the Nationals Party had previously failed to take much notice of the Hunter electorate. 

"Win or lose the seat of Hunter, our Government believes in the industries and the economy of the Hunter. We're not Johnny-come-lately in this region at all, we've always had a crack, hopefully next time the voters will actually give us a chance to represent you." 

Senator Canavan said they'd like to see an office of regional manufacturing set up in Newcastle as part of their National Manufacturing Plan. 

"This is one of the prime centres of manufacturing in this country," Senator Canavan said. 

"We should retain what we've got up at Tomago at the Aluminum Smelter, and build more manufacturing because we cannot rely on the rest of the world to make everything in this country especially as conflict and difficulties look like they're on the horizon in our region." 

Senators Matt Canavan, Perin Davey and Bridget McKenzie

Federal Government Announces Inland Rail Link for Port of Newcastle

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Federal Government announced on Thursday a $44.7 million rail link between the Hunter coal line and the Inland Rail at Narrabri. 

Through the Australian Rail Track Corporation, the thirty-five kilometre connection will allow greater capacity grain trains to come into the Port of Newcastle from western and north-western NSW.

Minister for Regional Communications, Regional Health and Local Government, Mark Coulton, said the project would be beneficial for agriculture amidst current trade tensions with China.

"Not only will this save farmers' money, but it will also make Newcastle Port a favoured destination for export markets for farmers across a large part of New South Wales," Mr Coulton said.

"That project will be well received, not only here in Newcastle, but right across the regions as well."

Image credit: https://inlandrail.artc.com.au/

Coal Projects to Deliver More Than Three Thousand Jobs for the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A new report by the NSW Minerals Council is suggesting mining projects across the Lower and Upper Hunter could generate 3,700 jobs and more than $2.7 billion in capital investment for the region.

The ten coal projects outlined for the Hunter include two brand new underground thermal coal mine developments at Muswellbrook and Wyong, in addition to extensions to existing sites such as Glendell, Mangoola, and Rix's Creek.

NSW Minerals Council CEO Stephen Galilee says together with the 22 other projects planned across the state, there is the potential for a total of $13 billion in capital investment and more than 15,500 employment opportunities.

"These are big opportunities for the Hunter Region and for the Hunter economy at a time when we are all looking for economic opportunities to help drive, hopefully, the economic recovery post the Coronavirus pandemic," said Mr Galilee.

The 32 total projects across New South Wales are in various stages of planning and assessment and represent an increase of seven from the sector's last major report released in November 2018

Although all of the projects in the pipeline for the Hunter are thermal or potential coking coal proposals, Mr Galilee says many of the other developments throughout the state have been identified as metal extraction projects.

“While the number of coal projects has risen slightly, the number of proposed metals projects has almost doubled from 6 to 11, representing over 30 percent of all major mining projects proposed in NSW, up from 20 percent 18 months ago," he said.

“This is an opportunity to further build and diversify the NSW mining sector and represents a strong industry response to the release of the NSW Government’s Minerals Strategy in early 2019.”

Image credit: https://www.nswmining.com.au/

BREAKING! Council Left in the Dark with Seismic Testing starting Monday in Lake Macquarie

Centennial Coal will begin seismic testing and drilling in the basin of Lake Macquarie on Monday the 3rd of February with the aim of opening it up for further mining. 

The project includes;

• A shallow marine survey of the lake.
• A rockhead drilling programme which will see multiple boreholes drilled from a barge to confirm the depth and thickness of the strata between the Lake floor and the coal seam.
• An exploration drilling programme with selected boreholes drilled to the coal seam to investigate the continuity and quality of the coal seam. 

Community concern has been raised as similar testing is usually carried out in deep ocean waters, however some areas of the lake are just 11 meters deep. 

Lake Macquarie Council says staff only recently received notification from Centennial Coal regarding the survey program and they did not have an approval role in the proposed survey works or the environmental  assessment of the project. 

The NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment is the determining authority for the proposal. 

Lake Macquarie Council says, "We acknowledge the concerns within the community about the adequacy of consultation by Centennial Coal prior to the survey being approved, and the potential impact to sea animals and the marine environment" 

The Council have sought further details on the environmental assessment for the project, as well as arranged for Centennial Coal to brief Council staff on the proposed works.

Local Greens MP, Abigail Boyd says, “There’s been no meaningful consultation. No notice. Nothing.” 

“And it won’t just be seismic testing – there are plans to drill the lake floor over the coming five years.

“The lake is already contaminated by lead and zinc, caused largely by the coal industry, which has already impacted on fishing quotas. By disturbing the lake sediment, this proposal risks spreading the impacts of that contamination further," she said. 

“The environmental report states clearly that the seismic testing will have harmful impacts on marine life, including turtles, dolphins and already threatened seagrass beds which are critical habitat."

Centennial Coal is due to release a statement. 

                                       Image Courtesy: 

Labor Critical of Government's Liddell Taskforce

BY LILLY HAINES

The Morrison Government has announced a taskforce to study the expected closure of the Liddell Power Station near Muswellbrook.

The taskforce is reportedly leaving all options on the table including extending the life of or replacing the ageing coal plant at the expense of the taxpayer, and is looking into the effects the closure will have on our energy system.

The announcement comes after AGL revealed it would extend the life of Liddell an extra four months with closure now planned for April 2023.

Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Resources, and Federal Member for Hunter, Joel Fitzgibbon has said the move is too little too late from the Morrison Government.

"We've known for at least six years that Liddell would not last beyond her 50th birthday and yet they have left it until now to try to work out what we are going to do in response," he said.

Mr Fitzgibbon said the Hunter needs to attract new investment into new generation and storage facilities to counter the closure of the coal fired power plant.

"The government has announced a four month extension, which we welcome, but we needed an energy policy six years ago to drive investment and accelerate new facilities in the Upper Hunter".

"If the formation of a committee is the best thing the Morrison Government can do after six years we are all in trouble," Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Liddell Power Station near Muswellbrook. Image: ABC News.