Latest news with #JanetMurray
ABC News
10-07-2025
- General
- ABC News
Snowy Hydro apologises for burning diesel smell from Kurri Kurri power plant
A controversial Hunter Valley power station has caused a stink in its community, with the operator apologising for a pungent smell of fuel in the air. Snowy Hydro's plant at Kurri Kurri, which has just started its testing phase, is designed to run on gas, but can also be powered by diesel as a backup source. CEO Dennis Barnes said in the past week, testing took place on one of two turbines, which included testing it on diesel. "That caused some emissions and some odour, which we're deeply regretful for," he told ABC Newcastle Breakfast. "We weren't expecting it, and therefore we've stopped [testing]." Witnesses reported seeing plumes of smoke coming from the plant, while others more than 30 kilometres away in Newcastle reported the smell. Resident Marlie Forde said when she first noticed the smell, she thought it was a failing electrical appliance in her home. "It was just eye-watering, I've never smelt anything that bad," he said. "Even with all the windows shut, it just made me feel really sick and nauseous." Mr Barnes said the company was working with the NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) in its investigations. "At the plant itself, the emissions were within our environmental limits, but that doesn't make any difference to the local community when they're smelling and seeing smoke," he said. Environmental advocate and former local Greens candidate Janet Murray has campaigned against the plant since it was first announced. "I heard the guy from Snowy Hydro saying that emissions were within their allowable limits," she told ABC Newcastle Mornings. "If that's allowable, that is ridiculous." In a statement, an EPA spokesperson said the plant was required to conduct continuous emissions monitoring, including during any testing in the commissioning phase. "Before commissioning works recommence, we will review Snowy Hydro's updated commissioning plan and discuss additional control measures," the statement read. "Our investigation into the recent emissions and odours is continuing, including checking whether the station's emissions limits have been breached." Ms Murray said communication from Snowy Hydro about the testing has been "woeful". "I have a friend who lives very close to the plant and he was given no advice whatsoever," she said. Mr Barnes conceded the company could have communicated with the wider Hunter region better. "We did do local communications and our near neighbours, but I think we've stuffed up by not going more broadly on social media and on the radio to warn people that we were doing this," he said. He said commissioning phase testing has stopped, but will eventually need to resume. "We'll figure out how we do that without impact between now and when that happens," he said. 'Until we can do that, we won't test it." The plant is designed to bridge electricity supply in times of peak demand, with the former Morrison government commissioning it to cover the gap as coal-fired power stations wind down and more renewable generators are developed.
Scotsman
23-06-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
Pettycur Bay Holiday Park to name a Guide Dog puppy
Through continuous fundraising over the past few years, Pettycur Bay Holiday Park has announced that it will shortly have raised £2500 for Guide Dogs for the Blind, enough to name a Guide Dog Puppy. This donation will help start the dog on its incredible journey as a lifelong companion to a visually impaired person. Sign up to our Scotsman Money newsletter, covering all you need to know to help manage your money. Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Guide Dogs for The Blind is one of Pettycur's three designated charities, with the other two charities regularly helped by the Park, being the RNLI, and the Wolf Hirschhorn Syndrome Trust. Donations of £2,500 or more, name the puppy, with £5000 supporting it through its puppy training. If a group or business can donate up to £10,000, they will support the lifetime cost of a dog. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Pettycur has raised the money as a result of a series of different fundraising efforts, including its recent annual caravan show, Christmas Craft Fayre, and other regular community events. Amounts raised are then topped up by the Park Owners. You can support a guide dog right through its training and working life Janet Murray, General Manager of Pettycur Bay Holiday Park explained that she expected the final amount of money needed to name the puppy would be raised as a result of the Park's annual Charity Race Night, set to take place on Friday, July 26. 'The Charity Race Night is another fantastic fundraiser we hold here at Pettycur Bay Holiday Park,' said Janet. 'Eight races will be available to sponsor by individuals or businesses. You can also buy a name and a horse before the night for just £5.' 'We'd be most grateful for as much local support as possible from both individuals and businesses. We held a Charity Race Night last year and the feedback was that this event was a really fun and interactive way of raising valuable funds.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'We are absolutely thrilled to be approaching the fundraising threshold of £2.5k for Guide Dogs for the Blind, which will then enable us to name a puppy. We may well make this a competition for our customers, we are still deciding exactly what to do, but it's very exciting,' said General Manager, Janet Murray. 'Our enormous thanks goes to everyone who has contributed, whether by coming along to one of our charity events, or through a donation. Even through buying something at the Craft Fayre, it all adds up, and has helped up get to this point.' The Charity's logo 'We are very active in all of our fundraising activities, with our generous staff very often contributing too, as well as the Wallace family, who own the park,' added Janet. 'We will keep going, even after we reach the £2.5k, as we may well be able to get up to the next level which is supporting the training of a dog.'
