The Greens are calling for an independent authority to monitor coal pollution in the Hunter Valley after a global study found coal-mining has a negative impact on public health.
Hunter Valley communities are surrounded by more than 30 coal mines and coal-fired power stations, with current dust mitigation efforts doing little to protect their health according to the Greens.
Member for the Greens, Cate Faehrmann, says the NSW Government need to take responsibility for the problem.
"It is imperative for the Government to know what this pollution is doing to the people's health," she says.
Wednesday, 31 October 2012
Fire stations close across the Lower Hunter
It's feared the closing of several fire stations in the Lower Hunter will put the public's safety at risk this bush fire season.
Stations in Abermain, Bellbird, Kearsley and Weston are taken offline for between one and eighteen hours at a time when the minimum of four firefighters cannot be raised.
The Fire Brigade Employees Union believes State Government budget cuts and under staffing are largely to blame for the routine shutdowns.
Newcastle sub-branch secretary, Luke Russell, says fire fighters and members of the community will continue to suffer until current management methods are revised.
"A whole revamp of the retain system needs to happen to guarantee that availability is there for the community and for fellow firefighters to maintain the stations and keep them online," he says.
Stations in Abermain, Bellbird, Kearsley and Weston are taken offline for between one and eighteen hours at a time when the minimum of four firefighters cannot be raised.
The Fire Brigade Employees Union believes State Government budget cuts and under staffing are largely to blame for the routine shutdowns.
Newcastle sub-branch secretary, Luke Russell, says fire fighters and members of the community will continue to suffer until current management methods are revised.
"A whole revamp of the retain system needs to happen to guarantee that availability is there for the community and for fellow firefighters to maintain the stations and keep them online," he says.
Cardiff railway upgrade on track
Long-suffering commuters at Cardiff Railway Station will soon enjoy the benefits of a much-needed upgrade.
Cardiff is one of the Hunter line's most critical railway stations, yet commuters have been forced to carry heavy luggage and prams up long flights of stairs to exit the busy station.
The $14 million upgrade, including 2 lifts and a platform extension to accommodate 8-car trains is well ahead of schedule according to Transport Minister Gladys Berijiclian, with completion due in the first half of next year.
It is hoped that the upgrade will make Cardiff Railway Station accessible to the whole community and encourage the use of public transport.
"It's a healthier way to get around," Ms. Berijiclian says.
Cardiff is one of the Hunter line's most critical railway stations, yet commuters have been forced to carry heavy luggage and prams up long flights of stairs to exit the busy station.
The $14 million upgrade, including 2 lifts and a platform extension to accommodate 8-car trains is well ahead of schedule according to Transport Minister Gladys Berijiclian, with completion due in the first half of next year.
It is hoped that the upgrade will make Cardiff Railway Station accessible to the whole community and encourage the use of public transport.
"It's a healthier way to get around," Ms. Berijiclian says.
Tuesday, 30 October 2012
Monday, 29 October 2012
Boy Approached at Maryland.
Police are appealing for witnesses after a young boy was approached by a car full of men near Newcastle on Saturday afternoon.
The 11 year old was walking home on Prospero Street in Maryland at about 2:50 pm when a car pulled up and told him to get in, however the boy ignored the demand and ran home to raise the alarm.
The vehicle was described as a white Holden Barina with red P-Plates. The men were described as Caucasian and around the 20 years old.
Any witnesses are urged to contact Crime Stopper 1800 333 000.
The 11 year old was walking home on Prospero Street in Maryland at about 2:50 pm when a car pulled up and told him to get in, however the boy ignored the demand and ran home to raise the alarm.
The vehicle was described as a white Holden Barina with red P-Plates. The men were described as Caucasian and around the 20 years old.
Any witnesses are urged to contact Crime Stopper 1800 333 000.
Jets Look To Keep Improving
The Newcastle Jets admit there is still a lot of improvement needed if they are to maintain top position on the A league ladder. The jets trained at Ray Watt Oval this morning, with an emphasis on the team's defence strategy.
Coach Gary Van Egmond is concentrating on improving the side's passing game following Fridays 2-1 win over the Melbourne Victory.
Midfielder, Jobe Wheelhouse told reporters there's plenty of room for improvement but said they were getting the results while still not playing their best, which is a sign of a good team.
Coach Gary Van Egmond is concentrating on improving the side's passing game following Fridays 2-1 win over the Melbourne Victory.
Midfielder, Jobe Wheelhouse told reporters there's plenty of room for improvement but said they were getting the results while still not playing their best, which is a sign of a good team.
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| Jobe Wheelhouse after training this morning. |
Friday, 26 October 2012
Man stabbed over meat
An argument over stolen meat has resulted in the alleged stabbing of a man in Newcastle.
The 47-year-old arrived home at a quarter to 10 last night, where he was confronted by another male resident outside his King Street unit.
Police allege the argument turned physical, with the 47-year-old being stabbed in the left side of his torso.
Senior Constable Tony Tamplin says police and ambulance paramedics were called and the injured man was taken to John Hunter Hospital.
The other resident was taken to Newcastle police station for questioning, where he was charged with reckless and grievous bodily harm.
"He has been refused bail and will appear in court today," Tamplin says.
Thursday, 25 October 2012
Wednesday, 24 October 2012
Tuesday, 23 October 2012
Monday, 22 October 2012
Friday, 19 October 2012
Thursday, 18 October 2012
Wednesday, 17 October 2012
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Monday, 15 October 2012
Hunter Man Charged With Aggravated Sexual Assault of 13yo Girl.
Detectives from the Child abuse squad have charged a 55 year old Hunter Valley man over the ongoing indecent sexual assault of a 13 year old girl.
The man was in a de facto relationship with the girl's mother, and has been charged with nine offences including seven counts of commit aggravated acts of indecency.
It's alleged the incidents took place over a period of six years, starting when the girl was six years old.
Detectives were alerted to the situation in August this year when the girl told school friends she had been indecently sexually assaulted by her mother's partner.
He has been refused bail and will appear before Newcastle Local court on November 28.
The man was in a de facto relationship with the girl's mother, and has been charged with nine offences including seven counts of commit aggravated acts of indecency.
It's alleged the incidents took place over a period of six years, starting when the girl was six years old.
Detectives were alerted to the situation in August this year when the girl told school friends she had been indecently sexually assaulted by her mother's partner.
He has been refused bail and will appear before Newcastle Local court on November 28.
Coal Seam Gas Fight Heads To Land and Environment Court
Residents of Fullerton Cove have spent the day arguing their case against coal seam gas in the Land and Environment Court.
A temporary court injunction against two pilot wells in the area was granted last month after residents spent more than a week blockading DART Energy's drill site off Fullerton Cove Road.
The same group has travelled to Sydney today to argue the need for a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) before drilling can commence.
Among their concerns are possible damage to nearby wetlands, and the impact on the area's drinking water.
The hearing is expected to last for three days.
A temporary court injunction against two pilot wells in the area was granted last month after residents spent more than a week blockading DART Energy's drill site off Fullerton Cove Road.
The same group has travelled to Sydney today to argue the need for a full Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) before drilling can commence.
Among their concerns are possible damage to nearby wetlands, and the impact on the area's drinking water.
The hearing is expected to last for three days.
Huntlee Concerns Continue.
Fresh criticism has been raised about the proposed Huntlee residential development near Branxton.
Community groups including the Hunter Environment Lobby and Two Trains for Singleton have expressed outrage over the lack of integrated public transport for the 1 400 home development.
Developer LWP has not committed to further public transport links, including a heavy rail link for the new city despite ongoing public complaints.
This places the pressure of an additional 5 500 people on existing public transport infrastructure.
LWP has not responded to the attacks yet, however signalled in a draft plan earlier this year they will explore further transport connections after the completion of the Hunter Expressway.
Community groups including the Hunter Environment Lobby and Two Trains for Singleton have expressed outrage over the lack of integrated public transport for the 1 400 home development.
Developer LWP has not committed to further public transport links, including a heavy rail link for the new city despite ongoing public complaints.
This places the pressure of an additional 5 500 people on existing public transport infrastructure.
LWP has not responded to the attacks yet, however signalled in a draft plan earlier this year they will explore further transport connections after the completion of the Hunter Expressway.
Friday, 12 October 2012
Thursday, 11 October 2012
Wednesday, 10 October 2012
Tuesday, 9 October 2012
Monday, 8 October 2012
Friday, 5 October 2012
Thursday, 4 October 2012
Wednesday, 3 October 2012
Loaded Gun Found in Kurri Kurri
Police are investigating whether a loaded pistol found on a street near Kurri Kurri was used in the attempted murder of a Maitland bikie boss.
Frank Van Der Kroft was shot several times at North Rothbury on July 22.
A resident found a stolen loaded Smith and Wesson pistol along with a magazine of live ammunition in Metcalf Lane Sawyers Gully on Monday afternoon.
Police are trying to determine how a stolen loaded gun came to be found on a street at Sawyers Gully.
Senior Constable Lauren Maher says the gun and ammunition have been to Newcastle Police Station to be tested for fingerprints and D.N.A.
Police are appealing for information as they investigate the discovery of a loaded gun in a street near Kurri Kurri.
Frank Van Der Kroft was shot several times at North Rothbury on July 22.
A resident found a stolen loaded Smith and Wesson pistol along with a magazine of live ammunition in Metcalf Lane Sawyers Gully on Monday afternoon.
Police are trying to determine how a stolen loaded gun came to be found on a street at Sawyers Gully.
Senior Constable Lauren Maher says the gun and ammunition have been to Newcastle Police Station to be tested for fingerprints and D.N.A.
Police are appealing for information as they investigate the discovery of a loaded gun in a street near Kurri Kurri.
Laman Street Works Resume
Redevelopment work on Laman Street, Cooks Hill, has resumed today after a break of a couple of weeks.
Work was suspended after crews discovered artefacts at the site such as old crockery and bones.
Archaeologists have given the all clear now saying these findings are simply landfill which has been brought in from somewhere else and doesn't have any heritage value.
The current works include digging a trench down the centre of the road to relocate utilities in order to replace trees along the sides of the street.
Work was suspended after crews discovered artefacts at the site such as old crockery and bones.
Archaeologists have given the all clear now saying these findings are simply landfill which has been brought in from somewhere else and doesn't have any heritage value.
The current works include digging a trench down the centre of the road to relocate utilities in order to replace trees along the sides of the street.
Bulk Carrier Stand-off
A bulk carrier will not leave Newcastle Port after reports of a stand-off between senior officers and crew.
The crew of 20 Filipino of the K-Coral claim to have been intimidated and bullied by their captain and Korean senior officers.
There are reports of a recent attempted suicide of a crew member on the way to Newcastle and the crew had been given no counseling or support, however that has not been confirmed.
Another crew will likely be called in to sail a ship sitting at Newcastle Port after the current crew refused to allow it to leave.
The crew of 20 Filipino of the K-Coral claim to have been intimidated and bullied by their captain and Korean senior officers.
There are reports of a recent attempted suicide of a crew member on the way to Newcastle and the crew had been given no counseling or support, however that has not been confirmed.
Another crew will likely be called in to sail a ship sitting at Newcastle Port after the current crew refused to allow it to leave.
Toddler dies in Clarence River Accident
Police are continuing investigations into a car accident at Clarentown which has claimed the life of a 2-year-old-boy.
At about 9.25 this morning, emergency services were called to the scene at Limeburners Creek Road, near the Bucketts Way.
A truck and Holden Commodore station wagon were involved in the collision and resulted in the small truck carrying boxes and equipment rolling on its side.
The driver of the Holden, a 22-year-old woman was taken to John Hunter Hospital and is in a serious but stable condition.
The two-year-old boy died on the way to the hospital, while a 14-week-old baby boy, also in the Holden has been taken to hospital and has sustained minor injuries and is currently there under observations.
Meanwhile, the male truck driver has also been taken to hospital for minor injuries and will also undergo mandatory blood and urine tests.
Investigations are continuing with police closing Limeburners Creek Road as they prepare a report for the Coroner.
At about 9.25 this morning, emergency services were called to the scene at Limeburners Creek Road, near the Bucketts Way.
A truck and Holden Commodore station wagon were involved in the collision and resulted in the small truck carrying boxes and equipment rolling on its side.
The driver of the Holden, a 22-year-old woman was taken to John Hunter Hospital and is in a serious but stable condition.
The two-year-old boy died on the way to the hospital, while a 14-week-old baby boy, also in the Holden has been taken to hospital and has sustained minor injuries and is currently there under observations.
Meanwhile, the male truck driver has also been taken to hospital for minor injuries and will also undergo mandatory blood and urine tests.
Investigations are continuing with police closing Limeburners Creek Road as they prepare a report for the Coroner.
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