PKK Mining Equipment Workers Walk Off the Job, Rallying for Fairer Pay Deal

BY DANEIE GEDDES

Workers at PPK Mining Equipment at Tomago have walked off the job for 24 hours, rallying for a fairer pay deal.

Workers say they are fed-up with business owner, Dale McNamara, who ran as an Independent candidate in the seat of Upper Hunter at the recent state election.   

They say Mr McNamara froze pay at the beginning of 2021, promising to make it up to them once a big merger went through with Valley Longwall International, which has occurred. 

Vice President of the Australian Workers Union NSW Branch, Cameron Wright, said workers are now being asked to accept a deal which doesn't come close to matching the rising the cost of living. 

"Dale McNamara likes to claim he's a friend to workers in the Hunter but he has betrayed the trust of his employees at PPK," he said. 

"PKK workers won't accept a sub-par deal that doesn't give them a fair cut of the profitability they've helped create."

After rallying at Tomago Roundabout this morning, workers hope Mr McNamara agrees to get back around the table to negotiate a fair deal and a reasonable, comprised outcome. 

"I hate to say it, but if we can't do that, then we're likely to be out here at the Tomago Roundabout again," Mr Wright said.   

Man loses arm in industrial accident at Tomago

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A man has been taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition, after his arm was severed in an accident at a Tomago workplace.

Paramedics attended the Kennington Drive site around 8pm on Wednesday night.

The accident occurred while the man was operating heavy machinery.

The man is believed to be aged in his 30s and was taken to the John Hunter Hospital.

It's understood, the man has or is likely to lose his arm. 

Tomago-based Varley Group Wins Multi-Million Dollar Defence Contract

 BY IAN CROUCH

Tomago-based engineering and manufacturing firm, Varley has won a $41m defence contract to upgrade Australia's deployable infrastructure for wars and disaster relief.

Defence Industry Minister, Melissa Price was expected to make the announcement on Monday morning at the company's Tomago facility as part of an $89m investment into the defence force's deployable infrastructure capability, however the event has been cancelled as the minister has COVID symptoms.

The contract is expected to create 80 new jobs here and a further 25 jobs in Queensland.

The contract includes upgrades to power generation, hygiene and essential catering, and the acquisition of new kennels for military working dogs.

Varley is well known for its work in the manufacture and fit-out of emergency service vehicles.

Hunter Water Uncovers Secret Water Deposits

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Hunter Water is one step closer to uncovering a new water source for the region. 

Testing undertaken in 2020 revealed the presence of water beneath the Tomago Sandbeds, in what is now being called the Hunter Palaeochannel. 

The gravel and sand aquifer is said to lie up to 80 metres below the surface, and extends from Morpeth to the Pacific Ocean. 

The testing also revealed the water within the channel has not been exposed to the atmosphere for between 15,000 and 25,000 years. 

Managing Director Darren Cleary said Hunter Water will now work with industry experts to determine how the palaeochannel aquifer recharges and how the source may be used moving forward. 

"We hope that it could be used as a sustainable water supply for the region," he said.

Mr Cleary also said that early work sinking bores into the channel yielded "promising signs". 

"We are exploring it by sinking bores and measuring how the aquifer responds when we pump water out of it. That will tell us how much water we may be able to sustainably extract from the aquifer."

"We will also will be monitoring aquifers around the Tomago area to ensure we are not having any unforeseen impacts there," Mr Cleary said. 

The project has formed part of Hunter Water's draft Lower Hunter Water Security Plan, which is due for release in the coming months. 

 

Major Grant Announced For Tomago Hydrogen Energy Manufacturer

 BY IAN CROUCH

A major boost for the Hunter's emerging hydrogen energy industry with a Tomago company awarded a significant state government grant.

Lavo Hydrogen Storage Technology will use the $5 million dollar grant to mass produce one of the world's first solid state hydrogen energy storage devices.

The project is expected to create up to 250 jobs and will supply the devices to Australian and International markets.

Deputy Premier Paul Toole will visit the facility on Thursday to announce the grant.

Lavo Chief Executive Alan Yu Picture Lavo.com.au

New Bridge To Replace Washed Away Culvert At Corlette

BY IAN CROUCH

A new bridge will be built to replace the culvert washed away at Foreshore Drive in Corlette following the March storms and floods.

Port Stephens Council has decided to install a pre-fabricated bridge, manufactured by InQuik Bridging Systems at Tomago, due to it's minimal impact on the environment during installation and the chance to create a bigger channel for flood water to move through.

The bridge will also offer a safe pedestrian access, with a 2.4m footpath on the downstream side of the bridge.

Crews will begin site preparation at the end of next month.

It's hoped the bridge will be open by the end of December. 

The new pre-fabricated bridge has been built at
 Tomago by InQuik Bridging Systems

BREAKING! Motorcyclist Injured In Crash At Tomago

BY IAN CROUCH

Emergency services have been called to a serious crash at Tomago.

Police say a car and motorbike collided on Old Punt Road at about 5.00am on Friday - it's believed the car was turning into a driveway when the crash occurred.

The motorbike rider, an 18-year-old man,  has suffered significant injuries and has been taken to the John Hunter Hospital by road ambulance.

The male driver of the car was not injured.

Police have set up a crime scene and Old Punt Road is closed southbound between Kennington Drive and Tomago Road.

New Fire Tankers To Be Handed Over At Tomago

 BY IAN CROUCH

Emergency Services Minister, David Elliott will join United Arab Emirates Ambassador, H. E. Abdulla Al Subousi for an official handover ceremony at Tomago on Monday afternoon.

The government of the UAE gifted seven Bulk Water Fire Tankers to Australia in the wake of last Summer's devastating bushfires.

The Varley Group was given the task of building the vehicles at its Tomago facility, with the contract worth more than $3.4 million dollars.

The tankers will be disbursed among bushfire agencies across Australia such as the RFS, Victoria's Country Fire Authority and the WA Department of Fire and Emergency Services.

The Varley Group at Tomago has a long history of building Emergency Service Vehicles Picture: Varley Group

Tomago's $28 Million Lithium Ion Battery Factory, Set to Charge Australia's Renewable Energy Future

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The Hunter will become home to $28 million, 4,000 square metre Lithium Ion Battery Factory. 

Located at Tomago, the Energy Renaissance, 'Renaissance One' plant is expected to create around over 1,700 direct jobs during the construction and operational phase, and another 6,500 indirect jobs. 

The company produces batteries that are optimised to perform in hot climates and can can be used to power infrastructure, buildings, businesses and homes.

 “We have settled on Tomago as the site of our first plant, construction will commence and the plant is scheduled for completion in 2021,” said Mark Chilcote, Managing Director of Energy Renaissance.

“The Hunter region has all the right skills, natural resources, expertise and an abundance in solar energy for us to develop a successful battery manufacturing business in Australia,” Chilcote said.

It’s expected that more than half of the batteries produced at Renaissance One will be exported through the Port of Newcastle.

Patron Senator for the Hunter Region Hollie Hughes congratulated Energy Renaissance on its investment in the Hunter during a ground-breaking ceremony at the Tomago site on Tuesday.

“Energy Renaissance will make clean and affordable energy more accessible and create greater energy security for Australia and our neighbouring countries.

“Once Renaissance One is operating at capacity, it will be able to provide - in the space of a year - enough batteries to power every public school, hospital, fire station, SES unit and new homes built in Australia."

“That’s reassuring because Australia will be able to rely on its own source of renewable energy in the very near future,” Senator Hughes said.

Hughes said that the company’s investment in the local economy will support the Hunter region and help lead Australia’s economic recovery.

"I would like to encourage other manufacturers to move to the area to create a renewable energy manufacturing hub."

“With its deep-water port and proximity to the Newcastle University there is no better location for renewable energy manufacturers.” 

Chilcote said that building Renaissance One at Tomago will provide significant competitive advantages to Energy Renaissance.

“Access to the Port of Newcastle will allow us to ship our batteries to Southeast Asia while working with highly-skilled talent from CSIRO’s Energy Centre and graduates from the University of Newcastle.”

With its new site, Energy Renaissance will leverage Australia’s abundance of natural resources by adding value to raw materials, building onshore capability, and exporting into global markets," said Dr Jens Goennemann, Managing Director of AMGC. 

"This in-turn will generate significant local manufacturing jobs and boost prosperity for the nation while giving Australia a significant foothold in the growing energy storage sector.”

The facility will be constructed by local property developer ATB Morton and have an initial battery production capacity of 66MWh per annum.

Energy Renaissance plans to scale its Australian operation to 5.3GWh of energy storage per annum with an additional investment of more than $200 million.

The Federal Government provided a co-funded grant of $246,625 through the Advanced Manufacturing Growth Centre to Energy Renaissance. 

Mark Chilcote, Energy Renaissance Managing Director 

Renaissance A3 Ah Cell

EPA Inspect Tomago Waste Management Centre

BY ISABEL EVERETT

NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) officers have inspected a waste site in Tomago, and 11 other sites across NSW, as part of a proactive compliance and inspection campaign.

The unannounced coordinated checks were carried out on August 28, to ensure the facilities are complying with environmental protection licences, to protect the environment and human health.

EPA officers inspected the Tomago facility, along with one in the Illawarra and 10 Sydney facilities, all part of the Bingo Group of waste and recycling companies.

Each site was assessed for compliance with waste management practices, pollution controls, stormwater runoff, dust emissions, emergency response plans and chemical storage. 

EPA Director Major Compliance and Investigations Greg Sheehy said the EPA was committed to ensuring all licenced premises were vigilant about protecting the environment.

“We expect all facilities to be run properly and have care for the environment and the community at the heart of every action.”

The EPA is now reviewing the outcomes of the inspections, the process is expected to take several weeks.

Image Credit: Bingo Industries

Port Stephens Residents Win Campaign For Reduced Speed Limit

BY IAN CROUCH

Port Stephens residents have had a big win in their campaign to have the speed limit on a notorious stretch of road reduced.

Already this year, one man has been killed and 5 people injured in two serious crashes in the 90km/h zone where Tomago Road and Cabbage Tree Road meet at Tomago.

RMS data compiled last year showed both roads were significantly more dangerous than similar roads with 90km/h zones in regional NSW.

A community campaign led by Port Stephens MP, Kate Washington has been successful in having the speed limit reduced to 80km/h.

A man died in this crash on Tomago Road in March this year Picture: NBNNews

75-year-old Man Killed and 4 others Injured in Tomago Crash

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A 75-year-old man has died following a crash in Tomago on Sunday afternoon.

Around 12.40pm emergency services were called to Tomago Road after reports a Mitsubishi ASX had crashed into a tree after colliding with an Izuzu D-Max.

The Mitsubishi driver, a 75-year-old man, died at the scene.

The Izuzu driver, a 32-year-old man, sustained serious internal injuries and was airlifted to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The passengers, two women aged 66 and 26 and a 2-year-old boy, suffered minor injuries.

All were transferred to John Hunter Hospital for treatment.

Officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command established a crime scene, with the Crash Investigation Unit to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash.

Any witnesses or anyone with dashcam vision who were in the area at the time are urged to come forward.

Major Emergency Response To Fire At Tomago Powder Coating Business

BY IAN CROUCH

A fire at a Tomago powder coating business has prompted a major response from firefighters.

Newcastle Fire Command says they received a report about flames coming from the business on Enterprise Drive just after 6.0pm on Wednesday.

7 fire trucks, a duty commander and the RFS were called to the blaze amid concerns about paint thinners and chemicals stored on site.

Around 30 firefighters managed to contain the fire to one room of the business, taking two hours to fully extinguish and mop up the blaze.

The cause of the fire is not known at the stage but it's not being treated as suspicious.

Two Men To Face Court Over Large-Scale Copper Wire Theft At Tomago

BY IAN CROUCH

Two men are due to face court over the alleged large-scale theft of copper wire at Tomago.

Police say between 14 November and yesterday, 4WD vehicles were used to steal 940 kilograms of copper wire from the Hunter Water site on Tomago Road.

Officers conducting surveillance noticed two vehicles enter the site at about 1am on Monday and were allegedly preparing to remove wiring.

They arrested a 47-year-old man at the scene - he's been charged with 3 counts of larceny greater than $15,000 and 3 counts of trespass.

A 38-year-old man was subsequently arrested at Anna Bay and has been charged with 2 counts of larceny greater than $15,000, trespass and goods in custody.

Both men have been granted conditional bail to face Raymond Terrace Local Court on 17 December, 2018.

AGL Power Shortage Creates Issues for Tomago Smelter

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

AGL has curtailed electricity supply to the Tomago Aluminium Smelter on two occasions this week, and the federal opposition says it's bad news for the Hunter economy.

The energy giant is arguing the smelter accepted a commercial agreement to reduce output rather than pay increased power bills.

The curtailment follows energy shortages at Bayswater and Liddell power stations earlier this week, while there was also a limited amount of power emerging from Victoria via the interstate interconnector.

Tomago Smelter claims a thermal imbalance resulted from the power limitations imposed for 45 minutes on Tuesday night and again for two hours on Thursday evening, as workers attempted to restore the potline system.

Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon is pointing the finger at the Prime Minister's attempts to revive the ageing Liddell station, which is set to close in 2022, rather than developing new strategies.

"The under capacity we have in electricity supply is the result of years of policy inaction by the Abbott and Turnbull governments," Mr Fitzgibbon said.

"We can't fix that mistake now, but we can ask Malcolm Turnbull to get out of the way and allow AGL to build the new generation capacity they are promising here in the Hunter."

Joel Fitzgibbon and Paterson MP, Meryl Swanson fear Hunter jobs may be lost if we keep following this trajectory.

"Tomago Aluminium and its workforce are paying the price for five years of energy policy inaction..." Ms Swanson said.

Image: Tomago Aluminium. 

AGL announces $400 million gas-fired plant

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Plans for a 252-megawatt gas-fired electricity plant near Newcastle have been unveiled today by AGL.

The $400 million project will consist of 14 reciprocating engine units capable of generating 18 megawatts of energy each, with construction set to be complete sometime in 2022.

AGL is currently assessing sites for the project, but it's expected to be located near the energy giant's Newcastle Gas Storage Facility in Tomago.

Federal Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg has expressed concerns the new plant will not make up for a 1600 megawatt defecit created by the closure of Muswellbrook's Liddell coal-fired station.

Mr Frydenberg is still pushing for AGL to sell-off the ageing site to Hong Kong-based rival, Alinta, before it shuts down in 2022.

However Managing Director and CEO of AGL, Andy Vesey said the company is committed to filling the void leftover while also supporting Australia's transition to renewable energy.

"It's a three-phase plan which, at its completion will have reduced the impact of the closure of Liddell - providing NSW with reliable, affordable and sustainable energy for decades," Mr Vesey said.

He said AGL has given the government seven years' notice and now wants to push forward with the first phase of the NSW Generation Plan.

"This is a plan which [the Australian Energy Market Operator] reviewed and said if implemented," he continued, "will eliminate the impact of the closure of Liddell."

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald said the NSW government is looking forward to receiving a development application for the program soon, as it aligns with their future energy goals.

"The Berejiklian government has been one of the early adopters of the National Energy Guarantee," Mr MacDonald said.

"...This is what we've been looking for; it's saying to the market, if we give you the guidelines and the certainty you can go out there and make that capital investment that we're looking at here."

The Newcastle project comes in conjunction with a similar 210-megawatt gas plant in South Australia and a collective 653-megawatt renewable focus through wind farms in Queensland and NSW.

Stage One involves the Tomago plant announced today, an efficiency upgrade to the Hunter's Bayswater Power Station and an agreement for AGL to offtake 300 megawatts of solar capacity from the Sunraysia Solar Project by Maoenang Australia.

Stages Two and Three involve further projects necessary under commercial and industrial demand, and are subject to Board approval.

A similar AGL station under construction in South Australia. Image: SMH. 

EPA Fines Hydromet $30,000 for Water Contamination and Poor Waste Storage

BY NIKOLA JOKANOVIC

 The NSW Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today issued a fine for Hydromet Corporation of $30,000 for inadequate storage of waste materials at their Tomago facility and the resulting pollution of a nearby drainage line.

Investigations by the EPA in February of this year raised concerns over the storage of hazardous materials at the site.

These concerns were confirmed when a water sample taken by the EPA showed elevated levels of cadmium, copper, nickel, selenium and zinc in a nearby drainage line.

In response, the EPA has issued two penalty notices: $15,000 for the inadequate storage of waste material and $15,000 for polluting waters.

EPA Regional Director North Adam Gilligan said the matter represents an unacceptable risk to the environment.

"Inappropriately handling hazardous materials and discharging polluted water are serious matters," he said.

"The EPA will require Hydronet to plan and implement the ongoing remediation of the site to ensure the local environment and community are protected."

Hydronet has since completed clean-up activities on the affected drainage line and removed over 2,000 tonnes of hazardous solid waste and over 800,000 litres of liquid waste.

The Tomago facility will remain closed while clean-up work on the site is undertaken, so as to ensure proper remediation of all contamination.

Following ongoing investigations, the EPA has issued two fines of $15,000 to Hydromet.