Summary of minutes from our January 2026 Meeting

  1. Hillgrove Mine/Larvotto Resources
  2. Kempsey SC Draft Development Control Plan
  3. Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Storage proposal:  Clybucca Wetlands
  4. Estuary Riverbank Assessment Report
  5. Clybucca Wetlands
  6. Stuarts Point Sewerage Works Proposal by KSC

Hillgrove Mine/Larvotto Resources

Hillgrove Mine’s Modification 5 to their existing DA 98/35 has been lodged with NSW Planning (DPHI)

This can be found with the link: https://www.planningportal.nsw.gov.au/major-projects/projects/mod-5-extension-mine-life 

The Modification 5:

  • Extends the life of the mine to December 2030,
  • Doubles the mining and processing of ores for gold, antimony and now tungsten and ‘production’,
  • Reopens old mines, adjacent Bakers Creek,
  • Expands infrastructure (roading, power etc.),
  • Upgrades processing plant; Proposes dry stack of tailings; and
  • Proposes 24/7 365 days a year operation – along with many other matters.

Existing Mine Processing Facilities and surrounds above Bakers Creek escarpment. (looking south)

Save Our Macleay River will review the proposal’s documents and make a submission to Dept of Planning on this significant expansion and extension of the mine’s operations to prevent further impact on the Macleay River.

Kempsey SC Draft Development Control Plan

Is available for comment… Link Draft Kempsey Development Control Plan 2026 here, with physical copies available in KSC libraries and at the customer service counter.

The purpose of this DCP is to:

• Give effect to the objectives of the Kempsey Local Environmental Plan.

• Guide development that is permissible under the Kempsey Local Environmental Plan.

• Achieve the objectives of land-use zones prescribed under the Kempsey Local Environmental Plan.

• Outline Council’s requirements for new development in Kempsey.

This is a 440page document that affects how the shire will plan and accommodate various developments.  There is little in there that relates to the Macleay River, but some items may affect the water courses and estuary with potential for pollution. – SOMR is to review and comment on relevant matters affecting the river.

Oven Mountain Pumped Hydro Storage proposal: 

Alinta’s Project is in the final stages of development assessment and awaiting final planning approvals and economic feasibility assessment.  Apparently, not much is happening ‘on the ground’. 

Informed by a shareholder briefing:  Sembcorp Industries, a Singaporean company, proposes to acquire Alinta Energy, likely including the OMPHS project, via a share agreement, signed 11th December; to be put to an Extraordinary meeting late January for shareholder approval and Completion due sometime in 2026.   – Note: This acquisition is still subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals.

Shareholder Briefing Link: https://www.sembcorp.com/creating-shareholder-value/events/proposed-acquisition-of-alinta-energy/ 

Macleay Estuary Riverbank Assessment Report

This 2025 report, by Fruition Environmental, presents the findings of the Macleay River Estuary NEAP Bank and Riparian Condition Assessment was commissioned and managed by the NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development – Fisheries.

The report surveyed the riverbank conditions throughout the estuary, and ranks existing erosion areas into high, medium and low levels as well as relaying sediment loads.  Analyses from this assessment are to be used to inform future management actions to improve flood resilience, estuary asset protection, and estuary health including water quality, bank stability and riparian vegetation condition.  Link https://fruitionenviro-my.sharepoint.com/:b:/g/personal/damon_fruitionenviro_onmicrosoft_com/EVo_WVHmRKRNsDKWHUR8lwUBrmBm9bLV4dpiv4lcEOes2w?e=WGSuVf&CT=1768948609832&OR=Outlook-Body&CID=C1A7C579-2CC8-4E4E-84E0-D7217F00119D

SOMR is to ask KS Council, for a breakdown of the erosion control works Council has done on the Macleay River since the 2005 assessment report and an implementation plan for the recommended priority works in the 2025 report.

Clybucca Wetlands

Water Resources Laboratory (WRL) have recently completed a water quality assessment of the Clybucca Wetlands.  Link: Clybucca Wetlands Water Quality Analysis -UNSW WRL _Final .pdf 

It appears WRL were likely briefed by NSW Dept of Primary Industries and Regional Development, to prepare a ‘water quality analysis’ and note some of the impacts.  Impacts include:

  • A significant flood event will produce 170 Olympic swimming pools of pH3 sulphuric acid (vinegar) into the estuary! and
  • massive amounts of Low dissolved Oxygen water – ‘Blackwater’, impacting the entire estuary.

The assessment does not provide solutions for resolve.  

SOMR discussed the report,  impacts on various industries relying on clean water and the farmers ‘rights to graze’. along with management of the Menarcobrinni floodgates.  It was resolved to write to the Commissioning body, and other relevant Govt agencies, to outline the impacts in WRL’s report and advocate for salt water re-inundation; the best method to avoid the above impacts.

Stuarts Point Sewerage Works Proposal by KSC

Kempsey Sire Council’s proposal is to pipe sewerage from inputs between Grassy Head and Fishermans Reach to a Treatment plant south of Stuarts Point and then discharge the treated effluent onto the sand dunes, between the east side of the pedestrian bridge and the beach.

SOMR hastily managed to review the proposal and develop a submission to the Dept of Planning Portal by the due date.  The Submission did not object to the need for a sewerage treatment plant, as it is needed.  The submission objected to the lower level of treatment and disposal method and outlined some omissions in the proposal’s assessment. 

SOMR’s submission proposed:

  • a higher level of treatment which was described as too expensive in the proposal, 
  • while trenching between the residences and treatment plant, simultaneously lay ‘Recycled Water’ pipes adjacent to the sewer. 

The result being:

  • ability for all to use  recycled water for non-potable purposes & irrigation, and possibly cost recover,
  • lower demand of potable supply from the aquifer/bore-water, and
  • eliminate impacts on the delicate dunal system and Macleay Arm environments. 

Macleay Arm, looking east toward the proposed discharge dune.

Rights of Rivers Macleay community information event

About 50 people attended the Save Our Macleay River (SOMR) Rights of Rivers Macleay community information event. 

Uncle Fred Kelly a local Thungutti elder, acknowledged & welcomed all to Country

Dr Michelle Maloney from Australian Earth Law Alliance presented the topic of ‘nature based’ law and gave several international and Australian examples of where the rights of rivers and other environments had been and are in the process of being adopted.  She posed these as possible options for the Macleay, should the community wish to pursue this for the Macleay.

The film “I am the River, the River is me”, was shown; where the guardian/spokesperson, Ned Tapa (and his crew) relayed how New Zealand’s Wanganui River was protected and had representation as a living entity, since 2017.  The film followed two canoes down the path of the river, with two Australian First Nations, an elder, Brendan Kennedy and his daughter, Melissa, showing them and the audience the beauty and Māori cultural connection with the river and how it is alive with natural systems, now it is protected as an entity.  The film, if you missed it, can be viewed on SBS on demand with link:

https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/movie/i-am-the-river-the-river-is-me/2456555075962

James Dungay performed a song he’d written about the Macleay with the words “The Water flows downstream” which relayed the interconnectedness the river provides.

The admission and sales of raffle tickets have helped to cover SOMR’s financial liabilities for at least one more year.

Thank you to all those that attended and organised this event and we hope you found it interesting and food for thought as to where to from here for The Macleay.