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The NSW Government has signed a $45 million funding agreement to build the Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub on Kooragang Island, to assist emissions-intensive industries to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels.

The project, led by Origin Future Fuels (Origin) with funding from the Commonwealth and NSW Governments, will be a regional cornerstone of the hydrogen industry, accelerating NSW’s shift towards clean technologies and net zero.

The Hunter Valley Hydrogen Hub will produce green hydrogen through electrolysis (splitting water), which can be used to store energy and as a feedstock in industrial processes. The hub will initially deliver approximately 55 megawatts of electrolyser capacity by 2026, with an aim to scale up to over 1 gigawatt of capacity over the next decade.

The hydrogen produced by the hub will be used by industry, with the majority going to Orica’s nearby ammonia manufacturing facility to help decarbonise its operations. Hydrogen will also be made available to transport customers through onsite and satellite refuelling stations.

The project will deliver up to 150 direct (construction and ongoing) jobs, and up to 65 indirect construction jobs in the Hunter.

Orica’s co-located Tertiary Abatement Plant at Kooragang Island has this month reached a milestone, abating the equivalent of 250,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions. This is equal to removing 150,000 cars from NSW roads.

The plant, which is funded by the NSW Government and has financing from the Commonwealth’s Clean Energy Finance Corporation, will abate the equivalent of more than 500,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year, reducing emissions from Orica’s nitric acid manufacturing plant by 48%.

The NSW Government is committed to growing the hydrogen sector as a future industry for NSW. The state has previously approved $28.5 million for the Illawarra Hydrogen Technology Hub and $35.8 million for the Good Earth Green Hydrogen and Ammonia Project in Moree.

Energy Minister Penny Sharpe said:

“A green hydrogen industry in NSW has the potential to support 10,000 new jobs and add $6.4 billion in gross state product.

“The Hunter area is one of NSW’s leading industrial regions that contributes $50 billion to NSW’s gross state product and has a critical role to play in our state’s clean energy transition.

“Projects like the Hunter Valley Hydrogen are vital to decarbonising the industrial sector as we work towards a net-zero future.

“The Minns Labor Government is committed to investing in clean technologies which will create new jobs, business opportunities and allow NSW to become a clean energy superpower.”

Background information:

• Hydrogen molecules can be used to store energy and as an industrial feedstock. Hydrogen is derived primarily by splitting water (electrolysis) or by reacting fossil fuels with steam through a process called steam methane reformation.
• A small fossil-fuel based hydrogen industry already exists in NSW, however it releases emissions. This hydrogen is used as an input into a number of industries such as ammonia production, which is used to produce fertiliser and explosives.
• To encourage industrial decarbonisation, the NSW Government is supporting the establishment of a hydrogen industry that is produced using renewable energy.
• This low-emissions hydrogen represents an opportunity to decarbonise existing industries that use hydrogen as a feedstock and as a new renewable fuel in other sectors.
• This will enable decarbonisation in hard-to-abate sectors where electrification is not an option. These sectors include steel making, ammonia production, industrial high temperature heat applications and heavy vehicle and shipping transport sectors. These hard-to-abate sectors account for around 18% of NSW’s annual emissions.
• Hydrogen is a critical decarbonisation opportunity to support NSW to reach net-zero by 2050.

People with mobility access requirements can now enjoy the freedom of flight with NSW’s first wheelchair accessible hot air balloon experience in the Hunter Valley.

Minister for Regional NSW Tara Moriarty said the balloon’s first official flight is a milestone moment for local accessibility and inclusion, which are critical components for responsible and sustainable tourism in the Hunter Valley.

“Planning and creating accessible tourism experiences like this one in the picturesque Hunter Valley has removed the barriers that prevented locals, families or visitors from enjoying the freedom of flight and will also help the local tourism industry become more sustainable,” Ms Moriarty said.

Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said the wheelchair accessible balloon basket is significant.

“As of today, it’s up, up and away for everyone seeking a ballooning experience in the stunning Hunter Valley!”

“The NSW government is excited to be backing inclusive tourism initiatives like this, allowing people with disability to access adventures and seeing wheelchair accessible tourism taking off.”

Parliamentary Secretary for Disability Inclusion Liesl Tesch said it was a proud moment to be part of the state’s first accessible balloon flight and understands how important it will be for locals and visitors to the region, especially for those with disability.

“Dignified and equitable tourism experiences benefit the individual and also their support networks, who will now be able to share an unforgettable experience together, and that will go a long way in making life more inclusive for people with disability in NSW,” Ms Tesch said.

“Too often, people with disability miss out on the joys of tourism and I am thrilled to see more equitable experiences across our regions.”

Member for Cessnock Clayton Barr said the Hunter Valley is among the state’s leading tourism destinations and attracts visitors from all parts of Australia and abroad.

Hunter Valley local and Vietnam veteran David LeBrocque, who was onboard the official first flight, has a history of adrenaline fuelled adventures, including skydiving, bungee jumping and joy flights.

In 2011 the self-confessed daredevil was riding with friends in Northern NSW when his motorbike hit rough terrain.

“There’s an old saying with motorbikes, where you look is where you go, and I ran off the side of the road and I knew straight away I’d hurt my spine – I was driven by ambulance to Newcastle and then by helicopter to Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney,” Mr LeBrocque said.

“I was on a ventilator unable to breathe independently for three months however, I knew if anyone could dig themselves out of a hole it would be me, and a week later I had managed to get myself off the ventilator to begin my recovery back home in Maitland.”

“I know this opportunity will open up avenues for other adaptive adventure seekers out there, and for them to see a person with a disability like mine do this and know they are able experience the same thing is very exciting, I am truly humbled to be the first flight participant.”

Australian balloon manufacturer Sean Kavanagh of Kavanagh Balloons said designing and building the state’s first accessible balloon basket has been both a challenge and a privilege.

“The biggest challenge was ensuring we could engineer a wheelchair accessible balloon basket that was safe, so we locally designed and built a basket with a door and cushioned seating with restraint systems and a multi-point harness,” Mr Kavanagh said.

“We’re very proud to be involved in this project as hot air ballooning is our passion, and one of the greatest things about our business is being able to share that with other people, and everyone should be able to experience a balloon flight.

“The balloon is the first of its kind in NSW and has been supported by the NSW Government and Cessnock City Council, in partnership with operator Balloon Aloft in the Hunter Valley.

“Cessnock City Council Mayor Jay Suvaal said we are focused on ensuring that the unique sights and experiences that attract tourists are available to everyone and our new accessible hot air balloon boosts the number of inclusive tourism experiences on offer in the Hunter Valley region.”

Pilot and General Manager Matthew Scaife said Balloon Aloft, which has been based in the Hunter Valley for 43 years, is excited to be launching a tourism experience that will enable people with limited mobility to experience the thrill of hot air ballooning.

“We believe everyone should have the opportunity to enjoy this amazing experience and our new balloon will make that possible for more people than ever before and it’s wonderful to see this come to fruition with the launch of our Hunter Valley Accessible Balloon Flights,” Mr Scaife said.

Visit Balloon Aloftlaunch to find out more about the accessible balloon flights.

Community organisations and local councils across NSW are being encouraged to submit their grant applications for the Community Building Partnership (CBP) program to help make their town or suburb a better place to live, work, learn and play.

The program invests in infrastructure projects that deliver positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes while promoting community participation, inclusion and cohesion.

Since 2009, the program has awarded more than $436 million to more than 19,700 projects across the state, from access ramps for community halls to resurfacing the local sporting grounds.

Incorporated not-for-profit community organisations and local councils are eligible to apply for grants of between $5000 and $150,000. Grants must be for building, refurbishing or repairing community infrastructure, or for buying freestanding equipment or vehicles.

Each state electorate receives a maximum of $300,000 in funding and applications are assessed against other proposed projects within the same electorate.

Grant applications close Friday 27 October 2023 at 5pm.

To apply, visit the Community Building Partnership website.

NSW Premier Chris Minns said:

“I’ve seen first-hand how these grants make a difference to local communities. Whether it’s repairs to a clubhouse kitchen or installing playground shade sails, these grants provide lasting benefits across NSW.

“We know this is a longstanding program that works year on year, and communities have been eagerly awaiting its launch for 2023 – so we’re pleased to do exactly that.”

The Opposition has condemned the Minns Labor Government’s decision to hike rent on local community businesses, labelling it a shameful money grab that will endanger the viability of many local clubs.
 
Leader of the Opposition Mark Speakman said this was a thinly veiled attempt to drive community clubs from public land to fulfil the Labor Government’s land privatisation agenda.   
 
“Community clubs play a vital local role – they provide a great place to socialise, learn and spend time for families, kids, and senior members of the community. The result will be these clubs shutting their doors. Which will be hugely damaging to communities right across NSW,” Mr Speakman said.
 
“The Government has had a $14 billion tax windfall. It seems incapable of managing the budget without raiding local community clubs.”
 
When in government the Liberals and Nationals charged rent at a reasonable rate indexed to CPI. Since coming to office, the Labor Government have undertaken a ‘redetermination of rents’ and a number of businesses have had their rents hiked by over 300%.
 
Member for Vaucluse Kellie Sloane welcomed the Leader of the Opposition to the Bondi Bowling Club to hear firsthand from concerned locals.
 
“The Minns Government has been sending notices to local clubs, like this one, on crown land that their rents are going to increase by as much as five times,” Ms Sloane said.
 
“In the current cost of living crisis, these dramatic rent increases will only lead to the service cuts higher costs and may even lead to job losses.”
 
The Opposition will stand with community clubs and fight against this shameful money grab.
 
“Chris Minns needs to come out today and reassure the local communities across NSW that these drastic tax raises will be scaled back, and that he will stop trying to rob community clubs to pay unions,” Mr Speakman concluded.