Multi-million dollar Cessnock Airport upgrades welcomed by Crowne Plaza Hunter Valley owner

BY JARROD MELMETH

Cessnock Council says it will proceed with an almost $9 million upgrade of Cessnock Airport after receiving a cash injection from the state government.

$6.6 million has been awarded to the project by the NSW Government with the remaining $2.2 million to come from council.

The upgrades will see the widening and resealing of taxiways; provision of aprons and aircraft parking areas, improved fuel area access, runway rehabilitation, water and sewer connections, installation of non-precision GPS approaches for RWY 17/35 and an upgrade to the eastern terminal.

The project is being welcomed by neighboring Crown Plaza Hunter Valley owner Jerry Schwartz, who has been lobbying for upgrades to the airport for years.

Mr Schwartz says its a step in the right direction of his vision for a commercial operation.

"There are so many benefits to this and that is why I have been trying to champion the airport.

"Unfortunately, the only way to get to the Hunter is by car. There are no train lines, which is something I've certainly looked at. 

"By coming to the Hunter by air, it's only half-an-hour from Sydney. That makes it so much closer to Sydney and that much easier to get here. This would have major economic benefits for the region and would really unlock its potential," Mr Schwartz said.

There are conditions which come with the funding from the state government which means the project and all works must be completed by 30 June 2022. 

Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent says he is excited to see this project kick off as it has the potential to create nearly 60 jobs and will be a welcome boost for the economy.

"Our tourism industry has been hit hard in recent times and this project will transform Cessnock Airport into one of the state's top airports for general aviation and improve the visitor experience," Cr Pynsent said.

Pictured: Aerial view of Cessnock Airport.

Hunter Valley Sawmill going against the grain on renewable energy production

BY JARROD MELMETH

A Hunter valley sawmill has plans to convert its waste into green hydrogen in a move to improve its environmental footprint.

Sweetman Sawmill at Millfield near Cessnock is seeking to partner with other sawmills to produce enough biomass to supply the Redbank Power Station in the Hunter, when it ceases coal fired operations.

It's hoped once operational the biomass can be used for both export to bioenergy plants in Japan, local renewable energy energy consumption and for the production of syngas, green hydrogen and biochar.

Sweetman Renewables Chairman John Halkett says the company is committed to sustainability.

"Certainly there is a substantial need in Australia to shift towards renewable sources of energy.

"Biomass has the potential because it is baseload power, for example, the Redbank Power Station will produce 155 megawatts of baseload dispatchable power which is reasonably significant in the scheme of things.

"Our operation would mean a substantial reduction in carbon emissions which is in line with our mission to abate climate change and our focus on renewable energy production," Mr Halkett said

With the closure of the Liddell Power Station on the horizon, Mr Halkett says he hopes the project can pick up some of the slack it will leave behind.

"You've got a power station like Liddell which is very important in Australia's energy requirements due to close in a couple of years and what we are trying to do through the Sweetman operation is to produce a sustainable product, from sustainably managed forests which are certified," Mr Halkett said.

Cessnock pursuit leads to double arrest

BY JARROD MELMETH

Two people have been charged after a police pursuit in Cessnock overnight.

Officers from the Hunter Valley Police District attempted to stop a Subaru Forester which allegedly sped away from them.

A pursuit was initiated which saw the Forester reach speeds up to 110kmp/h, before it lost control and crashed into a tree on Lomas Lane at Nulkaba.

The 38-year-old male and 21-year-old female passengers fled into nearby bushland before being tracked 2km through the heavy bushland.

During a search of the vehicle police seized a balaclava and two mobile phones.

The woman was also charged with five outstanding arrest warrants and refused bail to appear at Cessnock local court today, while the man was given conditional bail to appear before court in July.

15 new police recruits for the Hunter

BY JARROD MELMETH

The Hunter will share in 15 new police recruits after they were sworn in as probationary constables at a ceremony in Goulburn on Friday.

Lake Macquarie will receive six, Port Stephens-Hunter five, and Hunter Valley four who are among a total of 192 new recruits across the state.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott says the new recruits will bring a fresh boost to the Force.

"Congratulations to the men and women of class 347, who graduate today and will join the NSW Police Force at its strongest and most efficient.

"After eight months of world-class training, the attesting officers will join their stations next Monday and invigorate the policing capabilities of this state," Mr Elliott said.

The total 192 recruits consists of 137 men and 55 women, 21 were born overseas and seven recruits are Indigenous.

Pictured: The new recruits sworn in on Friday.
Image: NSW Police Force.