Lake Munmorah Power Station Cleanup: Call for Locals To Join Consultation Group

Lake Munmorah, NSW – Lake Macquarie and Central Coast residents are being invited to join a newly formed Community Consultation Group (CCG) aimed at providing community input on the cleanup of the former Munmorah Power Station site, located South of Newcastle, on the border of Lake Macquarie and the Central Coast. This initiative follows the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) declaring parts of the site “significantly contaminated.”

The Munmorah Power Station, located near Lake Munmorah, NSW, operated as a coal-fired power station from 1967 until it was decommissioned in 2012. Initially managed by the Electricity Commission of New South Wales, and later by Delta Electricity, the plant was a significant contributor to the state’s electricity supply, at times producing up to 40% of NSW’s electricity. However, its operations left a legacy of environmental contamination, notably involving petroleum hydrocarbons and PFAS (Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances), largely due to firefighting foams used at the site.

Demolition of the power station began in 2016 and concluded in 2018, with significant public interest and some controversy, particularly surrounding the environmental impact and the handling of pollutants. The EPA’s declaration of contamination earlier this year highlights the ongoing challenges in managing the site’s legacy issues.

Current Cleanup Efforts

Generator Property Management (GPM), a NSW Government-owned entity, is tasked with the remediation of the contaminated site. The company has already engaged ecological specialists to assess the impact of PFAS on the local environment, finding that the contamination does not appear to significantly affect local species or the food chain. A water treatment plant is also planned to further reduce PFAS levels in runoff water, pending approval from the Central Coast Council.

Community Engagement

The formation of the CCG is a pivotal step in ensuring transparency and community involvement in the cleanup process. Members of the CCG will have the opportunity to attend quarterly meetings, inspect ongoing cleanup operations, receive updates on investigations, and contribute to the development of a long-term remediation plan. This initiative aims to foster a collaborative approach to managing the site’s future, ensuring that community voices are heard and considered.

Stephen Saladine, Managing Director of GPM, has expressed the company’s commitment to a thorough and transparent cleanup process.

Residents interested in joining the CCG or seeking more information can visit the GPM website at www.gpmco.com.au or contact them directly via phone 1800 817 711 or email GPMCC@gpmco.com.au.

RELATED: Waratah Super Battery at Lake Munmorah

In a significant step towards advancing clean energy, the site of the former Munmorah Power Station has been designated for the Waratah Super Battery project. This battery will be one of the most powerful in the world, with a capacity of 850 MW and 1680 MWh, designed to act as a “shock absorber” for the electricity grid. This role will be crucial as more coal-fired power stations close, ensuring a stable and reliable power supply across regions from Sydney to Newcastle.

The project, supported by a $100 million investment from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation, is expected to drive up to $1 billion in private investment, generate over 100 construction jobs, and create additional permanent positions once operational. The Waratah Super Battery is slated to be operational by mid-2025, coinciding with the planned closure of the Eraring Power Station​