Hillgrove Mine owners Larvotto are reporting positive test results for gold and antimony explorations. Production as not yet re-commenced.
The company has been accepted into the Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC). Antimony produced from the project could support US defense applications, including ammunition and nuclear weapons.
Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Scheme
In mid 2024, the NSW Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure (DPIE) published the Submissions Report. While waiting for the decision by the Minister for Planning Paul Scully, Alinta has announcedthe selection of two construction companies.
South Kempsey Battery Energy Storage
Recently, a proposal for a large-scale battery storage facility on approximately 5 ha of a private property in South Kempsey was made public. This State Significant Project with a capacity to supply up to 200 megawatts (MW) over a duration of 4 hours (800 MW-hours) is 100Mw less than the Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro proposal and will be located close to the Kempsey substation.
_______________
A call to rethink Anthropocentrism & Ecocentrism, from ecologyofperception.blogspot
_________________
Gravel extraction in the riverbed
After several years of local residents monitoring gravel extraction in the riverbed and letter writing to authorities, it looks like the relevant regulations will finally be held up again.
Growing water use in the Upper Catchment and Water Sharing Plan
With a submission, SOMR to contributed to the NSW Water Sharing Plan RevieWater sharing plans are legally binding plans made under the Water Management Act 2000, setting rules for sharing water for social, economic and agricultural use, cultural use and the environment.
Water Test Kit
SOMR successfully applied for a small KSC community grant to buy a new Water Test Kit. As soon as a new kit can be purchased, test requested by residents will be carried out.
Events held in 2024
During the year, SOMR members and the public were treated to some very interesting talks and presentations, such as
the results of long term water testing by Professor Johnson,
the legal Rights of the River by Dr Michelle Maloney, and not least
the Macleay River Estuary Management by John Schmidt
You are invited to get involved and become a SOMR member.You will receive the informative minutes and invitations to special talks and you can participate in all meetings.
Picnic for Nature is a statewide initiative by the Nature Conservation Council of NSW. Save our Macleay River are delighted to have secured a stall at the Gladstone Riverside Markets.
Come and visit our stall on the riverbank and meet those who are committed to saving the beautiful Macleay River, seeking to raise awareness of the current and potential future pollution in the Macleay River Catchment.
Please join us and why not have a picnic in the park while you are there. You can bring your own or fill your picnic basket with all the market has to offer.
The market hosts quality, local, hand-picked stallholders featuring artists, ceramics, photographer; gourmet/fine foods including jams, local farm-fresh produce, preserves, chutneys and locally made muesli style products; as well as handmade soaps and locally produced organic body products, native plants and coffee.
There will be entertainment provided by talented, local musicians and performers. Come and enjoy the atmosphere and meet with your local environment group on the riverbank in the unique, historical village of Gladstone.
We hope to see you there on Sunday 20 October from 9am
Last year some locals took the opportunity to paddle on the river before joining the picnic
The recently presented Macleay Water Quality studies were received with great interest. Other issues SOMR is concerned about are
Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Scheme,
Gravel extraction in the riverbed,
Growing water use in the Upper Catchment and
Water theft for intensive horticulture effecting the coastal wetlands.
Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Scheme
The NSW Department of Planning Housing and Infrastructure (DPIE) has now published the Submissions Report, containing responses to the 76 public and agency submissions and advice of amendments regarding the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) and Development Application (DA) for the Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Scheme – available on DPIE’s Project Portal https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/oven-mountain-pumped-hydro-energy-storage
As with lodging submissions, there were problems accessing the site for several days. Currently, researchers from University of New England and Southern Cross University as well as SOMR members are scrutinising the extensive documents. It is possible to respond once again. Without a clear deadline, comments should be sent as soon as possible to lauren.clear@dpie.nsw.gov.au
The Submissions Report was provided in August 2024 by OMPS Pty Ltd, although Alinta Energy announced acquisition of the project from OMPS Pty Ltd on Dec 23 2023.
On 19 June 2024, consultants conducted a so called ‘Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Community Benefit Workshop’ on behalf of the Oven Mountain Project – Alinta Energy at Kempsey Macleay RSL Club. Participation was by invitation only and applicants were screened. While it was stated the project is not yet approved, the presentation and focus of the workshop on “community benefits” resulting from the development can only be seen as promises which raise expectations and hopes and consequently support for approval of the scheme.
Macleay Valley near Oven Mountain – as seen from Mary’s View Outlook Photo: Christa Schwoebel
On 16 July, SOMR President Paul Smith and Secretary Rupert Milne Home met with Michael Kemp, State MP for Oxley, to discuss his support for the OMPHS project. Mr Kemps is liaising closely with Alinta Energy. He dismissed considering the logistical issues leaving this is up to Alinta Energy to resolve and does not wish to investigate alternative sites and energy storage options as he sees this as the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) remit. He said he was keen to see his electorate getting maximum benefits from the project. – i.e. assuming it’s going ahead.
Mr Kemp also advised that the Kempsey-Armidale Road upgrade costs to the State have been elevated from $279m to over $400m.
Riverside Gravel Extraction
Earlier in the year, SOMR lodged a suspicious activity report with NRAR – the NSW Natural Resources Access Regulator – about Gravel Extraction Quarries in an active channel of the Macleay River near Turners Flat. In June, NRAR Project Officers inspected the site and afterwards informed SOMR “Your report to NRAR has been fully investigated and NRAR has taken appropriate enforcement actions in response to the matter. The case has now been closed.” In follow-up conversations with NRAR, a “confidential warning letter” to the operators was mentioned. SOMR applied to access the letter under the Government Information (Public Access) Act (GIPA)and expects a response by the end of September. Residents of the area continue to monitor the activities in the riverbed.
A letter to Michael Kemp, Member for Oxley has been sent, making him aware of the matter, requesting his assistance in release of the information and the GIPA information request. Apparently, our original email to Michael Kemp was not received due to technical issues and the information has now been resent.
Upper catchment – New England and Armidale Regional Council area
As previously reported, Armidale Regional Council (ARC) is planning for ambitious population growth from 24,000 (Census 2021) to 50,000 by 2040 and the growth of 4,000 jobs based on industry expansion such as the education sector and water intensive horticulture/agriculture.
To “future-proof” the water supply, ARC developed a water security package which includes raising the Malpas dam wall by up to 6.5 metres (announced June 2022) and the Oaky project. The then MP Adam Marshall seemed to have secured $27 million State Government funding for the project. Local groups who are monitoring water flow and quality in the Upper Macleay catchment noticed recently that this item is not recorded in the 2022/2023 State budget and this has been acknowledged by ARC.
Pre-construction work on the concept design phase of Oaky Dam with pipeline to Armidale has been occurring since February 2023; a ‘willingness to pay’ consultation of ARC residents, foreshadowed by the Mayor, is yet to occur.
Logging activity is continuing in the Styx River Native Forest. Conservation groups are encouraging ARC to join other local Councils in urging State Government to halt logging in State Native Forests. Logging in this area has a significant impact on the Styx River, a tributary of the Macleay.
Illegal water harvesting in the Clybucca area
Over many months, a criminal case has been heard about the construction of several dams without permission. 12 charges regarding unauthorised use of water and dam proximity to the wetlands had been laid by NRAR – the NSW Natural Resources Access Regulator against the company Green Leaf Australia and Director Xiuming Lin. Under the directorship and management of Xiuming Lin, the company is operating an extensive horticultural enterprise with nearly 500 green houses near Clybucca and at least nine dams of varying sizes.
According to Director Xiuming Lin, most of the dams were built by “holiday makers from Taiwan” who used hire equipment. When asked by an NRAR Officer why no approval had been sought, the reply was, “we don’t speak English”.
Late in June, Magistrate Nash handed down his judgement. Both defendants were found guilty of all 16 charges. Sentencing is scheduled for February 2025. For full judgement details got to
