Maitland's High Street set to turn green

BY JARROD MELMETH

Maitland City Council has unveiled its plans to make High Street greener as part of the Administration Centre construction project.

As part of the plans a number of large street trees will be planted with native grasses and ground covers in the area as well as upgrades to the pedestrian crossing, bus stop and restoration of the concrete, sandstone and flagstone pavements.

Council hopes to incorporate a gateway plaza into a future stage of the project.

Council's Project Manager Aaron Cook says they're excited to present the proposal which will tie in seamlessly with the landscaping planned as part of the Maitland Administration Centre.

"We know the community is passionate about having green spaces spread across our city and we believe this proposal will provide a fantastic addition to Central Maitland, the Centre and the High Street domain," Mr Cook said.

Council has plans to remove some trees as part of the project but says there will be a substantial net gain of vegetation once construction is complete.

Lake Macquarie bushland bounces back after black Summer fires

BY JAMES CARTER

Rain has boosted the recovery of Lake Macquarie bushland affected by the Black Summer fires in 2020, with new imaging surveys showing flora and fauna returning to the area. 

Fire ripped through over 400 hectares of bush near Wangi Wangi on New Year's Eve in 2019, with firefighters controlling the blaze over four days. 

A recent survey of the land has captured the recovery of flora and fauna over the past 18 months.

Lake Macquarie City Council Senior Natural Assets Officer Dominic Edmonds says Gymea lillies, grass trees and banksias were among the plant species thriving once again.

"The idea is to manage the weed throughout the site so that the biodiversity gets the best outcome, we get an increase  amount of native species and a decrease in weed species.

"In the event of another fire in the next 5 or so years will mean that the biodiversity outcomes will be better than they were previously," Mr Edmonds said.

Favourable weather conditions have assisted recovery of the land and Mr Edmonds says the bush regeneration, erosion and access management programs have all helped the significant response from the site. 

"We have a range of threatened species, both flora and fauna on site and we have seen excellent recovery in both of those in the year since fire, particularly due to the amount of rain we have had this year," Mr Edmonds said.

Lake Macquarie Council is trialing an online platform to enable residents to check their property's bushfire risk at the click of a button. 

The site will use cutting-edge aerial infra-red, thermal and high-resolution imagery of bushland across the local government area and will allow residents to check their risk before ringing council for an inspection. 

The pilot project, funded through the NSW Government’s Bushfire Community Recovery and Resilience Fund, has already attracted the interest of other councils throughout NSW and will cover a study area between Belmont and Glendale.

The online application is expected to go live later this year. 

The Awaba bushfire site in 2021
Image: Supplied

The same Awaba site 18 months earlier
Image: Supplied

Works begin on sustainable living community hub in Lake Macquarie

BY JAMES CARTER

The Lake Macquarie Landcare Resource Centre is receiving a $2 million upgrade to provide a dedicated sustainable living community hub for the region.

Work is expected to begin this week on the environmental project, set to improve the education, training and gathering of Landcare Volunteers.

The new space will enable the community to participate in workshops, learn more about sustainable living and contribute to the community.

It will feature a large community room, a kitchen for volunteers, office space and facilities for Council employees, and a covered outdoor space for programming and workshops. 

The hub is set to support over 200 Landcare groups across Lake Macquarie in restoring and maintain enviromentally sensitive sites across the region. 

The NSW Government Stronger Country Communities fund and Council have provided funding for the project. 

The government contributed $202,118 to the hub, following the previous upgrades in 2018 that delivered an expanded nursery and covered outdoor learning area. 

The Landcare Resource Centre will be closed while works are underway with the upgraded centre set to open in early 2022. 

Landcare Coordinator Jason Harvey and
 Lake Macquarie Mayor Cr Kay Fraser
Image: Supplied 

Hunter MP urges action on koala habitat in Hawks Nest

 BY JAMES CARTER 

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington is pushing the NSW government to buy land in Hawks Nest that locals consider to be a koala habitat.

Ms Washington has written to NSW Environment Minister Matt Kean with concerns that the sale could be catastrophic to local koala conservations. 

Local residents have reported frequent koala sightings at the site and in the letter Ms Washington is pressing the Minister to take action before the expression of interest ends. 

The six hectares of land has been advertised by Commercial Collective as a 'once in a generation opportunity' and is taking interest for the site until July 8. 

The land is adjacent to existing residential areas and is zoned for low and medium residential development and environmental conservation. 

Ms Washington says that maintaining the Koala population was crucial to Port Stephens. 

"People move to these areas, people Holiday in these areas, Port Stephens is renowned for its beauty because of its environment we must preserve this elements to ensure for the economy's sake let alone for biodiversity's sake, Ms Washington.

Image: Kate Washington MP Facebook

Hunter Power Station slapped with fine over leak

BY JAMES CARTER

The NSW Environmental Protection Authority has fined AGL Macquarie $15,000 over an alleged water pollution offence at its Bayswater Power Station at Muswellbrook. 

A fly ash slurry discharge into the Bayswater creek occurred after a leak in a pipeline at the station. 

An investigation into the leak identified that a hole had developed in the ash transfer pipeline on April 5th 2021. 

The material was cleaned up after contractors noticed a drop in flow rate from the fly ash pipeline. 

EPA Director Regulatory Operations North Adam Gilligan said the incident had the potential to cause environmental harm.

“Fly ash slurry deposited over vegetation and settled out in Bayswater Creek which was running at the time following rain.

“This incident was similar, but smaller in scale, to an event in 2019 for which AGL Macquarie has entered into an enforceable undertaking."

The 2019 incident saw 1,440 cubic metres of hazardous coal-ash sludge released into the Bayswater Creek.

The enforceable undertaking requires AGL Macquarie to continue to assess, monitor and eventually replace the aging pipeline. 

The Bayswater Power Station
Image: Supplied

NSW Greens Disapprove of Seismic Testing Approval.

BY DANIELLE RIES

Seismic testing off the coast of Newcastle has recently been approved, but not everyone is happy about the decision, as the NSW Greens have condemned the approval.

The testing will be conducted to see if gas or oil is within the vicinity 30 kilometres off the shores of Newcastle.

The idea to shoot pulses into the ocean has been criticised by the Greens as it could have huge impacts on the wildlife in the area as well as the environment surrounding it.

The environmental effects of this testing could be negative for ocean habitat including the migrating whales and local fisheries.

The company set to conduct these tests, Asset Energy, have assured the practices are safe.

NSW Greens marine and fisheries spokesperson Justin Field says the Greens are doing all they can to reverse this decision.

"We've been calling on the NSW Government to put an end to this nonsense. They've cancelled oil and gas licenses onshore in the northern rivers and other parts of the state.

"There's no reason they couldn't cancel this license, give the community some certainty, put this project to rest and give the community the confidence that their marine life and their local economy will be supported into the future".

He also goes on to say the idea of allowing this to go ahead is ridiculous.

"Previous seismic testing has had a significant impact on local fisheries, and there's new research that shows that seismic testing can impact on the direction and communication capacities of whales.

"This has huge environmental consequences, but more than that, the Newcastle community is never going to accept an oil or gas field off the coast of their beautiful city". 

Seismic Testing Map.
Credit- Newcastle Herald.

Port Stephens company fined $18,000

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A Port Stephens building company has been hit with an $18,000 fine for multiple water pollution offences in Fern Bay.

The matter was heard at Newcastle Local Court last week where the company was found guilty for not having adequate sediment controls in place which allowed sand and soils to enter into storm water pits on multiple sites at Seaside Estate.

The company has been ordered to pay council's legal costs.

Council's Acting Coordinator for Environmental Health and Compliance Nicholas Jones says it's a good result and acts as a warning to other companies and their responsibility to protect the environment.

"Council takes environmental breaches like this extremely seriously. If builders are unsure about their responsibilities under the environmental legislation, they can contact us here at council," said Nicholas.

Environmental Grants for Hunter Now Available

BY TANYA DU PREEZ

The Office of Environment and Heritage is now encouraging Hunter organisations to apply for the 2016/17 Restoration and Rehabilitation Grant Program.

Over $4 million is worth of grant funds is up for grabs for Hunter community groups and government entities.

The grant program aims to assist in the protection of ecosystems and the restoration of degraded environments.

Senior Team Leader for Contestable Grants Geoff Hudson says all relevant organisations should consider putting in an application.

"We encourage all groups and local community organisations to apply, as funding is available up to $100 000 over three years."

The program has been running for over 20 years, with 56 grants being awarded across the state last year.

Grants will help Hunter organisations to provide sustainable environmental outcomes (Source: cio.com.au)

Bulga Residents Heated Over Proposed Mine Expansions

BY BRIDGET GUNN

Two Wonnarua Aboriginal elders have been arrested in a peaceful roadside protest in Bulga.

The protest was against the proposed expansion of the coal mine in Bulga, which would destroy many sites of Aboriginal and European cultural heritage, and would have a large impact on the residents of Bulga.

Source: ABC News

Rob McLaughlin from Bulga says the proposed expansion would destroy the endangered woodland and the Wallaby Scrub Road, part of the Great North Road.

"They are going to destroy a world unique, critically endangered Warkworth Sands Woodland, along with the Wallaby Scrub Road, which is part of the Great North Road, built back in the 1820's."

According to McLaughlin, the residents of Bulga are not going down without a fight.

"Rio Tinto don't know whats hit them," he says.

"The people of Bulga are firm in our resolve, we will be there every day. It is part of our European history and we are not giving up.

"If they need to get the police out every day, they will have to."

Wackworth mine pit aerial
Source: The Sydney Morning Herald

The Lock the Gate Alliance Inc Facebook page has received a huge amount of support,with over 60,000 responses.

McLaughlin believes that this is because the public is realising the full national scope of the governments control in issues such as that in Bulga.

"It's not just about this little tiny place called Bulga, it's a bigger question. It's about peoples rights in New South Wales to protect their environment and their homes."

For more information see https://www.facebook.com/Lock.The.Gate.Alliance/

Calls To Fill Hunter Valley Open Cut Mine Voids

BY IAN CROUCH

There are calls for the state government to force mining companies to fill open cut mine voids once mining has wrapped up.

A report has found at least 45 final voids are planned or approved across NSW covering an area larger than Sydney Harbour, with the Four largest in the Hunter Valley.

It's feared ground and surface water could turn the voids into gigantic salt water lakes, causing permanent damage to the environment.

However, mining companies are reluctant to back-fill the massive holes as it can cost hundreds of millions of dollars

Photo Courtesy theconversation.com

Community Calls to Save Mambo Wetlands

BY GARY LYSAGHT

The Port Stephens community has continued to fight the planned sale of the Mambo Wetlands by the Department of Education.

A 'for sale' sign appeared on the grounds on May 6th, with the local Mambo Wanda Wetlands Landcare committee saying the weren't given a heads up beforehand.

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington has firmly opposed the Baird Government's planned sale of the property, saying it is vitally important it doesn't enter private hands.

FOR SALE: Wetlands to be sold [Photo: TRRA]

"There's enormous cultural significance for the local Worimi.  [And] ecologically, it is part of this complex ecosystem that forms [the Wetlands]," she said.

Local residents had the opportunity to have their say on Thursday 26th May with a local forum held at Horizons Golf Resort at Salamander Bay.

Education Minister Adrian Piccoli and Environment Minister Mark Speakman were both invited to attend the forum, with letters and email from Washington's office going unanswered.

The Wetlands' sale sign
[Source: Port Stephens Examiner]

A key concern for local residents is the local koala population which call the Wetlands home.

"We just simply can't afford it, for the sake of the koalas and all the other threatened species that live within that parcel of land," says Washington

"We need to, as a community, have a really strong voice and let the Government know that we do not want this land placed into private hands," she said.

The sale of the Wetlands would be another asset the Baird Government have sold off since the 2015 election, with up to $3 billion of public assets being sold as of 2016 since the Coalition victory in 2011.

Sold assets include Bligh House for $58 million and the Australian Technology Park for $263 million.

Money raised from the sale of buildings considered to be old or misused will be redirected to constructing new infrastructure and housing.

The State Opposition have been critical of the recent litany of public assets the Government have sold into private hands with Shadow Finance Minister Clayton Barr saying Premier Mike Baird was "addicted to the sugar hit" of selling off assets.

"Whether it is electricity assets or Government property, they are happy to accept the short-term gain and ignore the long-term pain," he told The Sydney Morning Herald.

AGL Walks Away from Gloucester

After eight years of protests and poor results, energy supplier AGL has walked away from the coal-seam-gas industry in Gloucester.

AGL had high hopes that the Waukivory pilot would provide 15% of the State CSG needs by 2018 however, it has now decided that number is unobtainable.

Protests have been ongoing since the mine opened

"Unfortunately, the economic returns to support the investment of approximately $1 billion were not adequate" AGL said in a statement.

"Consequently, in the interest of our shareholders and customers, this is the most responsible course of action."

Groundswell Gloucester's Judy Lyford has been a strong advocate against the CSG industry and has welcomed this news.

"AGL were on a hiking to no where with the non-existent Gloucester gas fields because of all the inherit problems."

"We respect AGL's decision, now our focus is on the State Government and the collusion and culpability we fell has been happening for many years."

AGL's pull-out comes after Gloucester Council inquired to NSW Premier Mike Baird and asked to buy the CSG exploration license from the company back in November.

"Coal seam gas was a great concern to many people in our community, the lack of science and tech coming out from all over the world continuing unknown's was a real worry" said Gloucester Mayor John Rosenbaum.

"We need to move forward as a community."

"AGL, I'm hoping will be able to work with us and we're prepared to do that and I think the community will be at looking at the long term renewable energy source."

Ms Lyford says the focus now needs to shift to the conservation of the Gloucester environment.

"We to look at what's happening with the waste water, the holding ponds so there's a lot of work for AGL to do in that space."

"[Coal seam gas is] a shocking industry that has no guarantees of safety its been shown to be polluting."

"It's unacceptable and the State Government are really culpable for everything that's happened."

Meanwhile, Mr Rosenbaum is looking forward to getting on with the job.

"I'm looking forward to promote Gloucester (sic) without having this in the background."

"The beauty of Gloucester we have here, I can see the benefit is that now more people are assured that there's an industry [gone now] that they didn't want to live around, they can come and live here in this great environment we have."

"It needs to be protected for future generations."

Image courtesy of Ray Dawes, via ABC (LINK).

Coal Dust survey shows support for covered wagons

The Coal Dust Free Streets project survey has revealed only 20-percent of residents in Islington, Mayfield, Stockton and Tighes Hill are in support of plans for a fourth uncovered coal terminal in the area.

The partnership between the Hunter Community Environment Centre and resident groups aims to strengthen networks to call for improved air quality and health.

Hunter Community Environment Centre community organiser ZANE ALCORN says the survey also showed an overwhelming support for improving dust control measures.

"It was pretty resounding results, we door-knocked 1,270 people, in Stockton, Tighes Hill, Islington and Mayfield, and we've shown that 90% of people want to see coal wagons covered and regularly washed to prevent dust pollution. They also want to see the coal stockpiled covered and all stages of loading and unloading covered," Mr Alcorn said.