Latest news with #Mudgee
ABC News
3 days ago
- Health
- ABC News
EPA takes 'milestone' action against PFAS company 3M Australia
The New South Wales environmental watchdog has taken "milestone" action against a global chemicals manufacturer after discovering PFAS chemicals at an old testing site in the Central West. The NSW Environment Protection Authority (NSW EPA) has issued a clean-up notice to 3M Australia after the forever chemicals were found in soil and water across the 100-hectare Brogans Creek Quarry, south-east of Mudgee. The inactive limestone site was historically leased by the subsidiary of the US-based company for testing firefighting foams containing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances between 1980 and 2000. It is the first time the EPA has taken regulatory action against the Wall Street giant that began manufacturing the chemicals in the 1950s. The environmental regulator described the contamination as "significant" but said the quarry's remote setting meant there was "limited potential for human exposure". The World Health Organisation has determined PFOA as carcinogenic to humans, while it classified PFOS as potentially carcinogenic. Both types of PFAS are found in firefighting foams. The foams are widely considered to be the biggest contamination source of PFAS in Australia's environment, with high concentrations found at sites where they were formerly used, such as defence force bases. They were also recently identified as the most likely source of PFAS chemicals in the Blue Mountains' drinking water supply. The Aqueous Film Forming Foams (AFFF) have been slowly phased out of use in Australia since 2003 but were used for more than three decades since the 1970s. The NSW EPA has banned their use except for in "catastrophic" circumstances or for fires on a watercraft. According to the clean-up notice, the current owner of the contaminated Brogans Creek site, Graymont, alerted the EPA to the contamination in January 2022. The company's site investigation found PFAS was present at elevated concentrations in soil, surface water, sediment, concrete structures and groundwater beneath the site. It also found the substances at levels above safe drinking water guidelines about eight kilometres downstream in the upper reaches of the Capertee River, within the Capertee National Park. NSW National Parks and Wildlife has installed signage at the location, warning people not to use the water for drinking or cooking purposes. But it advised the water was safe for swimming. The EPA investigations concluded it had reason to believe the global chemicals maker was responsible for the contamination as it "tested large volume of AFFF on the land" for two decades. 3M Australia has been given 60 days to submit an investigation management plan or risk a maximum non-compliance penalty of $2 million. "Though this is only the first step in what will likely be a complex and lengthy remediation process, 3M Australia has so far been cooperative — voluntarily offering to conduct investigations to better understand the extent and nature of legacy PFAS contamination at the site," Mr Gathercole said. The chemicals are known to be pervasive in the environment and can take hundreds, if not thousands of years to break down. Due to their heat, water and oil resistance qualities, they are found in everyday products such as non-stick pans and microwave popcorn bags. A recent study by the Australian Bureau of Statistics found three types of PFAS could be found in the blood of 85 per cent of the population. In 2024, a US federal court approved a settlement that would result in 3M Company paying more than $US10 billion to assist America's public water suppliers remove the chemicals. The chemicals maker has announced it would stop manufacturing PFAS by the end of 2025. The ABC has contacted 3M for comment.
ABC News
26-05-2025
- Business
- ABC News
Approval for Glencore Australia's Ulan Coal Mine expansion near Mudgee
One of Australia's largest coal mines has received approval to expand its operations despite the project's potential impacts on the environment and endangered native wildlife. The Ulan Coal Mine near Mudgee in the New South Wales central west has been allowed by the state's planning department to increase its underground operation. It will be able to extract a further 18.8 million tonnes of coal and extend the life span of the site for a further two years until 2035. The mine has approval to extract almost 330 million tonnes of ore over the next two decades. A spokesperson for Glencore Australia, the mine's owners, said the company welcomed the state planning department decision. "The modification will provide ongoing employment opportunities for people at Ulan Coal Complex," the spokesperson said. The Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water had identified 21 native species that could suffer significant impacts as a result of the development, with 17 hectares of native vegetation to be cleared. Biodiversity assessment reports found the endangered koala, brush-tailed rocky wallaby and a number of microbats among the native species likely to experience direct impacts on their habitat. Mudgee District Environment Group president Rosemary Hadaway said the mine's expansion had become "a death by a thousand cuts". The existing and extended mining area contains rocky sandstone cliffs that have been identified as suitable habitat for threatened microbat species. More than 630 hectares of land is expected to gradually sink in the surrounding area due to the project. Surveys found the large-eared pied bat and large bent-winged bat within the subsistence zone, which they used for roosting and breeding. The report found subsidence-related rockfalls would impact breeding caves and roosting colonies, having an "adverse impact" on the endangered species. "There's a breeding colony and that should receive maximum protection," Ms Hadaway said. A condition of the approval will require Glencore Australia to introduce a "comprehensive bat monitoring program" and acquire offsets for predicted impacts on threatened microbat habitat. However, Ms Hadaway said offsetting the impact on the bat's habitat would not work. She said they would have "nowhere else to go" due to their unique sandstone environment. A spokesperson for the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure said Glencore Australia must identify any bat sites above mining areas, with the operations to be separately assessed and approved by the department prior to mining. The NSW Department of Planning determination said the development's impacts on native wildlife could be "avoided, managed and offset". It has imposed 13 conditions on the approval to mitigate impacts on biodiversity, water, greenhouse gas emissions and Aboriginal cultural heritage. Ms Hadaway said there was no way the project could mitigate against its effect. "Monitoring tells you when damage has occurred and that's beyond the point of no return," she said. The assessment determined that emissions from the project would reflect less than 0.1 per cent of the state's greenhouse gas targets in 2030 and 2035. Glencore Australia will be required to prepare a Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Plan, in consultation with the Environment Protection Authority, within the next six months.
Daily Mail
18-05-2025
- Daily Mail
Young Mudgee father allegedly stabbed to death in a late-night street fight is identified - as cops make a major breakthrough more than 700km away
A man killed during an late night altercation has been identified as a young father. Samuel Allen, 22, was driven to hospital after he was allegedly stabbed in the stomach outside a home in Mudgee in central west NSW at about 11pm on Saturday night. He died a short time later. Homicide detectives spent much of Sunday examining the crime scene as a manhunt for Mr Allen's alleged attacker was launched. On Sunday afternoon, a 28-year-old man was arrested by Queensland Police after he attended Toowoomba Police Station. NSW detectives are currently on route to Queensland to apply for an extradition warrant. Investigations are continuing.
News.com.au
10-05-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Mudgee preview, best bets, inside mail for Sunday, May 11, 2025
Local boy Mack Griffith will open the bowling at his home ground on a hat-trick after consecutive wins by the stable's best horse and most promising horse in the lead-up to this meeting. First off, it was Griffith 's Mudgee-bred gelding Compelling Truth who maintained his 50 per cent winning strike-rate when posting an all-the-way win in the Wagga Town Plate on May 1. Fast forward three days and Griffith's hulking four-year-old Pressnell powered away from his rivals to chalk up an emphatic three length victory in a 1000m Dubbo Maiden. Griffith saddles-up five horses across four races at Mudgee beginning with the Waikato Stud-bred gelding Wolf Club who steps out over 2000m for the first time. 'He'll eat up 2000m,'' Griffith said. 'You just have to give him plenty of room and wind-up and he just didn't get that in his last start. 'If he is going to be any sort of stayer, he should be able to put them away. 'A few of those have been around the block a fair bit and haven't measured up really.' Griffith has surely found the right race at the right time for the lightly-raced Missy Moss to pop the cork on her first win in the Yves Premium Cuvee Country Boosted Maiden (1200m). The daughter of Golden Rose winner Duporth has podium finishes at both of her last two starts, each one by narrow margins. 'It's the perfect race for her,'' said Griffith. 'She just didn't really let down on the Heavy 9 the other day (so) back to a firmer surface, I think you'll see a much improved run even though she only got beaten a head and a head last time.' Griffith, meanwhile, has two irons in the fire in the 'feature' Gooree Park Benchmark 82 Handicap (1400m) namely epic blue bloods Stratified and Medinah. Born and raised in Tasmania, Stratified is a grandson of VATC Thousand Guineas winner and 1996 Flight Stakes dead-heater Dashing Eagle. 'We have always thought Stratified would get 1400m, we were just waiting for the right race to come around,'' Griffith explained. Short priced favourite Sanzeno has an easy run home to win Race 1 at Mudgee. â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 7, 2024 'If there's plenty of speed on, he'll just sit off them, but if nothing wants to take it up, he'll just cruise along in front. 'There's no more courageous horse in work.' As for Medinah, his fourth dam is the aptly-named Highclere who to this day, is celebrated as the crown jewel of The Queen's racing stock and broodmare band. 'He's drawn to get every chance,'' the trainer said. 'From barrier one, he should just be stalking them. 'Three starts ago he won at Newcastle and won quite well. The only bad run this time in was at Kembla and I don't think the travelling really suited him so he walks out the back door at his home track where he's won three races.' Griffith's final runner on the card is Sanzeno who is sure to have his share of admirers when he goes around in the Mudgee Florist Class 2 Handicap (1400m). A son of Widden Stud resident stallion Trapeze Artist, Sanzeno has won twice and placed five times in his 11 starts since arriving at Mudgee. 'He's a horse that has promised plenty but he hasn't really sort of put them away, we haven't worked him out yet but he has got plenty of ability and he never gets beat far,'' said Griffith. 'Home track, 1400m, we hoping the freshness on his side might be the way to go with him.' SHAYNE O'CASS' TOP SELECTIONS BEST BET Race 4 No. 16: MISSY MOSS Beaten by narrow margins at her last two in stronger races than this one. NEXT BEST Race 1 No. 6: VIKTOR Cleverly-named son of Frankel who needs to be winning this. VALUE BET Race 2 No. 4: LUCKY OZZIE Charged home when it was all over on debut in the Romantic Dream. QUADDIE Race 4: 16 Race 5: 1, 3, 6 Race 6: 4, 7 Race 7: 3, 4 JOCKEY TO FOLLOW Grant Buckley could tally up enough points to win the Jockeys Challenge. INSIDE MAIL - MUDGEE VIKTOR (6) is a cleverly-named son of Frankel and a pricey one too having sold for $560,000 at the Magic Millions Weanling Sale in 2022. The now three-year-old gelded has placed three times in his seven starts. All runs are at either city or provincial grade. Is going to be short odds and for good reason. No certainty but has no excuses either. HIDDEN MOGUL (7) is the most likely to get closest to, or even beat, Victor given her own form and the lack of depth among the remainders. Bet: Viktor to win, quinella 6, 7 LUCKY OZZIE (4) has so many famous two-year-olds in his pedigree. For starters, he is by Cosmic Force out of Canny Lad mare and just to continue the Golden Slipper theme, his third dam is by Marscay while his fifth dam, Promising, is the mother of Luskin Star no less. As for Lucky Ozzie, he finished like a train at the end of the Romantic Dream on debut. TOM VEGAS (1) won the Gold Nugget at Bathurst on debut like an even-money shot when he was in fact $51. He is the only 'winner' in the race. Bet: Lucky Ozzie to win, exacta 4 to beat 1 RACE 3: Kristie's Boutique (Bm58) 2000m HIDEYO (8) is a horse bred for, and looking for 2000m. First on breeding, she is a paternal granddaughter of Deep Impact and maternal granddaughter of the Wakeful/VRC Oaks winner Brazilian Pulse. This Todd Howlett-trained mare has three 1600m runs leading into this; the last one was better than it reads on paper. IMAGE OF THE SUN (1) has also accepted for Quirindi on Tuesday. WOLF CLUB (5) is trained locally and was huge when winning a 1600m Maiden from barrier 14 of 14 and beating Hideyo. MISSY MOSS (16) is another of the Mack Griffith string racing at home. This daughter of Duporth has raced four times for the recent Wagga Town Plate winning trainer, all of them have been good, notably those two last start close placings. Stars seem to have aligned here for the win. MATILDA OF TUSCANY (8) raced on the speed throughout when turning in an honourable debut third on the Heavy 8 at Narromine on April 29. Drew 9 of 10 that day, handed 14 for this - ouch. CARRICK (4) was a distant runner-up at his Robb stable debut but the winner goes well. LOCKDOWN GAMBLE (1) has the honour and distinction of being the highest rated horse racing at Mudgee thanks to some star performances in Cups and Country Championship Qualifiers among other things. He has won from 1100m to 1700m so 1400m, fresh, seems a very logical and suitable distance for the comeback. SMART SHOT (3) is so reliable; that much is evident from his record of four wins and nine placings from 20 starts. Won the Tamworth Cup Prelude two runs back and beaten three and a half in the strong H&NW Qualifier before that. Bet: Lockdown Gamble each-way, quinella 1, 3, box trifecta 1, 3, 4, 6, DD 1st Leg (1), 2nd Leg (3) RACE 6: The Oasis Mudgee Country Boosted Hcp (C3) 1100m MISS REBEL (4) has plenty to offer on the racetrack but she will be a valuable broodmare when the time comes given her pedigree. That pedigree is noteworthy due to the presence of Toy Show as her fourth dam. As for Miss Rebel herself, she has two wins and four seconds from her nine career starts. Her current personal best is her nose second to Cambar in a Rosehill Highway on November 30 last year. Was good in a Randwick Highway first-up. Mudgee resident CHAMPERS GIRL (7) boasts a compelling first-up record. RACE 7: Mudgee Florist Hcp (C2) 1400m SANZENO (3) can crown what looks to be a potential day out for Mack Griffith. This son of Trapeze Artist has hardly put a foot out of step in the time since he relocated from the Grahame Begg stable in Victoria. The horse is effective from 1200m to 1700m, back from that longer trip to 1400m but if anything, that's a positive as is the draw (3) and the jockey (Ash Morgan). PODCAST (4), a $330,000 yearling and one-time Chris Waller trained filly was the Black Booker, big time, at her Dar Lunn stable debut at Dubbo and sure enough won 17 days later at Narromine. Clearly in good shape ahead of this. Bet: Sanzeno to win, quinella 3, 4, box trifecta 3, 4, 6, 12 MUDGEE BEST BET Race 4 No. 16: Missy Moss Beaten by narrow margins at her last two in stronger races than this one. NEXT BEST Race 1 No. 6: Viktor Cleverly-named son of Frankel who needs to be winning this. VALUE Race 2 No. 4: Lucky Ozzie Charged home when it was all over on debut in the Romantic Dream. QUADDIE Race 4: 16 Race 5: 1,3,6 Race 6: 4,7 Race 7: 3,4
