Liddell stacks fall as Hunter landmark enters next chapter

newy.com.au – AGL’s controlled demolition of the twin chimney stacks at the former Liddell Power Station has changed one of the Upper Hunter’s most familiar skylines, bringing down a landmark that stood over the region through more than five decades of coal-fired electricity generation. The demolition on Tuesday, May 26, formed part of the decommissioning and rehabilitation program for the site near Muswellbrook, where Liddell closed in April 2023 after 52 years of operation.

The stacks, each about 168 metres high, were felled by a controlled blast after extensive planning, modelling and safety checks. AGL said the two chimneys were brought down using hundreds of small, precisely timed charges at the base, designed to weaken the structures so they fell safely in a planned direction.

For many people in the Hunter, the stacks were more than industrial infrastructure. They were a marker on the drive along the New England Highway, a symbol of the region’s role in powering New South Wales and a reminder of the generations who worked at Liddell and nearby Bayswater.

AGL general manager Brad Williams described the demolition as a significant moment for the community, saying: “These stacks have been an absolute icon for the community and the region over decades, particularly for our employees, and seeing them come down is going to be a significant milestone for the community.”

Liddell was commissioned by the Electricity Commission of NSW between 1971 and 1973, with four 500-megawatt generators built near Lake Liddell at a time of rising electricity demand. It was the first major NSW power station located inland, drawing on water stored in Lake Liddell for cooling, and later became part of AGL’s portfolio when the NSW Government sold Macquarie Generation in 2014.

At its height, the coal-fired station was a major part of the state’s generation fleet and a major employer in the Upper Hunter. AGL said when Liddell closed that the power station had supplied enough electricity for more than one million homes on average over its lifespan, while also providing thousands of jobs across multiple generations.

The demolition was not opened for public viewing, with local roads temporarily closed around the site for safety reasons and traffic management co-ordinated with NSW Police, Transport for NSW, emergency services and the demolition team. AGL said safety plans were reviewed by independent experts and regulated by state government agencies, with environmental monitoring in place before, during and after the blast.

The stacks were among the first major structures to come down as the broader demolition program continues. AGL has said the former power station site will be prepared for ongoing industrial use, with redundant infrastructure removed and materials sorted for recycling or safe disposal. The company is aiming to recycle more than 90 per cent of Liddell’s materials through the decommissioning and demolition process.

The next chapter for the site is tied to AGL’s Hunter Energy Hub, which the company says will use existing land, water, transport links and grid connections for new energy and industrial projects. The 500-megawatt, two-hour Liddell Battery has been built on the former power station site, with commissioning of the first 250 megawatts under way and full commercial operation expected to ramp up by June 2026.