8.30 News Fri 31.5.13 Read By Ian Crouch

7.30 News Fri 31.5.13 Read By Ian Crouch

6.30 News Fri 31.5.13 Read By Ian Crouch

8.30 News Wed 29.5.13 Read By Ian Crouch

 

Aircraft Racket To Rile Raymond Terrace Residents

Port Stephens councillors have stuck by their decision to approve a controversial sub-division under the fighter jet flight path at Raymond Terrace.

It's understood not a single councillor reconsidered their stance on the issue from when they initially approved the subdivision on May 14, despite sustained pressure from Defence officials and the Federal Government to renege on their decision.

Parliamentary Secretary of Defence, David Feeney and and Air Force Chief Marshal Geoff Brown visited the Richardson Road site on Monday, calling on Council to overturn it's approval, saying residents would be subject to severe noise from jet fighters.

Mayor Bruce Mackenzie has taken umbrage with the decision, saying the land is zoned residential and situated merely metres from an existing housing estate.

Plans to Triple Lake Macquarie Council Borrowings

Lake Macquarie City Council is headed for its highest gross debt on record should it go ahead with its plans to triple its borrowings to $159 million dollars by 2022.

The move coincides with a planned average rate rise of 55 per cent over seven years for Lake Macquarie residents.

The money would be used to fund infrastructure such as the Glendale transport interchange and the Awaba tip extension.

Mayor Jodie Harrison says the debt will be an investment into Lake Macquarie's future.

Residental Sub-Division Under Jets' Flight Path Approved

The Federal Government has lashed out at Port Stephens Council for a approving a residential sub-division directly under the flight path of FA-18 jets at Williamtown.

43 of the 53 approved lots at the Richardson Road site will be directly under the takeoff and landing flight path of FA-18 jets and the louder Joint Strike Fighters, which are due to arrive by 2018.

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence, Senator David Feeney says council has chosen to ignore the aircraft noise maps in approving the development.

Singleton Residents Recongised for Water Wisdom

Singleton residents have had their water wise habits recognised by the SaveWater Alliance.

The eight residents completed the online survey about their water saving measures between October and March, putting them in the running to win prizes including a dishwasher, barbecue, laundry powder, water saving showerheads and shower timers.

Singleton Council General Manager Lindy Hyam says the number of winners from the Singleton area indicates the community's awareness of water conservation and their support for council's environmental initiatives.

Petrol Station Crash at Tighes Hill

Newcastle Police and Rescue were called when a vehicle collided with a former BP petrol station at Tighes Hill last night.

Witnesses allege the Marylands driver lost control of the vehicle and was airborne before colliding with the building.

The driver was searched and was allegedly found in possession of a syringe, admitting to Police he had taken amphetamines earlier in the day.

Senior Constable Juan Mahoney says police became alarmed when the driver had trouble responding to questions.

Stockton Caravan Tenants Concerned Over Proposed Development

Stockton Beach Holiday Park caravan tenants are concerned about their future in the park after Newcastle City Council announced its park masterplan.

The plan proposes to add to the park's stage one developments, introducing more holiday cabins to the park over the next eight to ten years.

To make way for the cabins, the plan proposes  the number of caravans to be reduced from the current 100 to 52.

Newcastle City Council Director of City Assets and Chief Financial Officer Steven Edmonds says the plans will help boost the local economy.

The plan's public exhibition has been extended by one week to June 14.

Environmental Project Could Bolster City Precinct

Newcastle Council will today consider an environmental project, which is hoped will help revitalise the ailing city precinct.

It comes as Councillors were informed last night about the upgrade agreements set to be offered to owners of non-residential, commercial and industrial buildings in Newcastle.

The Environmental Upgrade Project would give these owners access to low-interest loans for water and energy upgrades.

Council has a $200, 000 grant to investigate offering the agreements which would allow a financier to make a loan to a building owner, which will then be repaid through a Council charge.

It's believed the project could inject new life into the Newcastle CBD.  

Charlestown Criminal Cornered at Kirra

A Charlestown man has been extradited from Queensland charged with a spate of aggravated sexual assault offences.

 

The offences are alleged to have occurred in the Newcastle region as far back as 1995.

The 60-year-old was expected to front court earlier this month but failed to show after fleeing interstate.

 

He was finally located and arrested at Kirra by Queensland detectives and has since been returned to Newcastle.

The man faced Newcastle District Court yesterday afternoon, was refused bail and is scheduled for a further court appearance.

Full Steam Ahead for Inner City Bypass

A significant engineering and logistical improvement has been made to the Shortland to Sandgate section of the Newcastle Inner-City Bypass project.

 

Work was finalised last night on the installation of a second and final 1-thousand tonne bridge onto its supports, canvassing a distance of more than 50 metres.

The bridges will provide two 3-point-5 metre wide travel lanes in each direction, as well as an additional crossing of the Main Northern Railway for traffic.

The almost-complete bridge had to be transported across the railway corridor for a considerable distance between supports.

The launch was carried out this way to avoid the need for heavy engineering work between railway lines.

Minister for Port Stephens Craig Baumann has labelled the bridge an impressive accomplishment.

 

Hunter Coal Sold at a Loss

It’s been revealed more than half the coal being shipped from the port of Newcastle is being sold at a loss.

Research, commissioned by the coal industry, was given to ministers in Canberra as part of a push by the industry to overturn the Mineral Resources Rent and Carbon Taxes.

The Australian Coal Industry says the downturn has resulted in the loss of about 900 jobs across the country in just 15 months.

Boys Approached at Millfield

Central Hunter Police are searching for a man who approached two boys at Millfield.

Around 8.30 Monday morning (20 May) the two 11-year-olds were riding their bikes to school when they were approached by the man at the intersection of Wollombi Road and Third Street.

He asked if they would like a lift to school before offering the boys lollies and a puppy.

One of the boys told the man to go away and they continued riding to school where they informed the principal.

The man is described as being over 50-years-old with black hair and clean shaven.

He was driving a maroon coloured sedan.

Bowling Club Fire at Wickham

An early morning fire has destroyed the clubhouse at the former

Morrow Park Bowling Club in Wickham.

Fire crews were called to the timber and iron clubhouse in Railway Lane just before two a.m. to find the 50 by 20 metre building well alight.

About 25 firefighters took almost three hours to extinguish the fire, which also forced the closure of the railway line for around two hours.

Newcastle Fire and Rescue say five nearby residents were evacuated.

It's believed a candle may have sparked the blaze.

Maitland Rural Fire Service Control Centre to open by September

Construction of the new Rural Fire Service Control Centre at East Maitland is ahead of schedule.

The new facility will be the headquarters for 47 brigades across the Maitland, Port Stephens, Dungog and Cessnock council areas.

The $4 million development will now be open by September, with 26 staff and two thousand volunteers using the building.

RFS Superintendent Jason McKellar says Maitland is the ideal place to develop services in the lower Hunter as the geographic centre of the zone.

Workers strike over agreements

Industrial action will continue for the next fortnight following a workplace agreement dispute between Port Waratah Coal Services and it's workers.

The action is a response to the agreement, which workers say threatens job security, gives employees less say in shifts and limits avenues to resolve workplace disputes.

NSW Organiser of the Australian Manufacturers and Workers Union, Daniel Wallace, says workers are frustrated and disappointed at the agreement and hope the industrial action will make employers reconsider.

Forgacs workers have joined the action, walking off the job this morning over a pay dispute.

Forgacs says it is trying to remain competitive and sustainable for the future.

Registration Plate Anti-Theft Initiative

NEWCASTLE Police will today launch an anti-theft initiative aimed at reducing the number of stolen registration plates in the Hunter.

Free replacement and fitting of tamper-proof screws will take place today May 15th and tomorrow May 16th at Westfield Kotara between 10 and 2pm.

Stolen number plates are often used in other crimes such as robberies, petrol theft, and toll evasion.

Stoke Unit's 10th Birthday

The Belmont Hospital Stroke Rehabilitation Unit celebrates its 10th birthday this month.

The stroke unit is the only impatient facility in the Hunter which manages stroke patients care through to discharge, and is one of the top performing stroke units in Australia.

The unit is also a leader in research, receiving grants from the National Stroke Foundation and Hunter New England Health.

Win For Residents Opposing Warners Bay Building Heights

Residents opposed to new 6-storey building heights proposed for the Warners Bay Town Centre have had a small win.

Lake Macquarie Councillors last night adopted the draft Local Environment Plan but decided to put a decision on the building height matter on the back burner to allow for more consideration.

Residents and businesses raised concerns saying the height limits are excessive and will ruin the existing landscape.

Boat Owners Association Fight Zoning

The Boat Owners Association has hit out at plans to give Lake Macquarie the highest possible environmental zoning.

Councillors voted last night to make the lake a natural waterway zone.

A mandatory clause in the zoning aims to prevent development which would have an adverse effect on the natural values of waterways.

The Boat Owners Association says the zoning is anti-boating because it will restrict jetties, marinas, moorings and boat ramps.

Historical Sex Assaults

A man has been charged with sexually assaulting two boys in the Hunter over a 13-year period.

Police allege the 52-year-old from ABERMAIN attacked one boy from the age of 6 to 14, and the other when he was aged 12 and 13.

The man has been charged with 27 historical child sex offences which allegedly took place between 1980 and 1993.

Myall River Gains Government Support

The NSW Government have announced their support for the dredging of the eastern channel of the lower Myall River today.

 

This has been called after five years of lobbying over concerns about the high number of bacterial infections from the river.

Member for Port Stephens, Craig Baumann, says funding has already been put towards this important project.

'The State Government is providing $1 million and then they are negotiating with the Local Governments to see what they can contribute.'
 
The project is expected to start in about four months and will help benefit the tourism, local business and industry of Tea Gardens.

Controversial Victim Support Scheme Reform

While the Special Commission of Inquiry into clergy abuse in the Hunter have begun public hearings, the State Government have revealed controversial changes to its victim support scheme.

This new reform requires child abuse victims to lodge claims within a decade after they turn 18.

Executive Director of The Victim Support Unit at VOCAL, Robyn Cotterell-Jones, says
she does hold some concerns for victims regarding this new reform.

'So many people are not ready to talk about their experience at that age, or by that age, as well as being aware that what happened to them was called a crime and therefore they may be entitled to compensation.'Studies show the average delay in reporting abuse is 23 years.

Hunter Cancer Patients Saved

An estimated 1500 Hunter cancer patients' lives have been saved over the past two decades, the Cancer Council Reports.
 
This is due to the advances in medical treatments and awareness of breast, bowel and lung cancers, allowing patients to have a more positive outlook on life

Hunter Region Manager, Shayne Connell, says 'What this report today tells us is that we are now able to move onto the "forgotton cancers", like cancer of the esophagus, cancer of the brain and cancer of pancreas, where we haven't seen these kinds of survival improve in the last two decades.'

Overall sixty-one thousand Australians, or eight per day, have been benefited by these advances in medical treatments.

Police Pursuit Ends in Death

A critical incident investigation has been launched into a fatal police pursuit at Barnsley in the early hours of this morning.

Lake Macquarie police responded to reports of a robbery taking place on a ticket machine at Teralba Railway Station just before 3.30am

Officers on their way to the railway station spotted a black BMW nearby without registration plates and began a high speed chase.

The pursuit continued from Racecourse Road until the BMW ran off Northville Drive, slamming into a power pole and bursting into flames.

The driver, a 42-year-old Newcastle man, died at the scene.

Two male police officers, a Senior Constable and a Constable, managed to free a 30-year-old female passenger from the vehicle, suffering burns to their hands in the process.

The woman was conveyed to John Hunter Hospital where she is being treated for non life threatening injuries.

Acting Assistant Commissioner Peter Thurtell addresses the media at Newcastle Police Station.

Newcastle Taxi Driver Robbed

A Newcastle taxi driver has endured a frightening ordeal as 3 men robbed him at knife point.

He pulled over to pick up a passenger on Nesca Parade at The Hill just after 9.30 last night, but the 35-year-old cabbie was threatened with a kitchen knife.

2 other men then jumped into the taxi wearing balaclavas, both armed with small pocket knives.

Police says the trio escaped with a small amount of cash and the keys to the taxi.

Child Abuse Inquiry Continues In Newcastle

A former Hunter Valley policeman who’s now a state MP is due to give evidence today at an inquiry in

to claims child sexual abuse was covered up by the Catholic Church.

Nationals MP for Dubbo, Troy Grant was an officer in the region when Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox was allegedly told to stop investigating the child abuse allegations.

Peter Fox says he heard Mr Grant describe senior NSW police as Catholic Mafia because of their associations with the church.

Troy Grant is due to take to the witness stand once Mr Fox has finished giving his evidence.

Fresh Hopes For Dungog Film Festival

A community meeting is being held this weekend in a bid to revive the Dungog Film Festival.

The popular festival won't be going ahead this year following the collapse of the company behind the annual event.

Paterson MP, Bob Baldwin met with Dungog Mayor, Harold Johnston yesterday and says Saturday's meeting at the St James Theatre will look at ways to make the festival a community-run event.

Woman Badly Hurt in Head-On Smash

Crash investigators are looking into the circumstances leading up to a head-on smash at Greta Main near Millfield which

has left 3 people in hospital.

A woman in her 20's was ejected from one of the vehicles when the accident occurred on Wollombi Road just after 5.30 last night.

The male driver of the other car and an 8-year-old boy both suffered leg injuries.

All 3 were taken to the John Hunter Hospital, where the woman is reported to be in a serious condition.

Police Investigate Suspicious Fire at Aberdare

A crime scene has been set up following an overnight fire at an Aberdare unit block.

Firefighters from 3 stations were called to the 3-unit block at the corner of Congewai and Kurri Streets at 10.30, finding one of the units engulfed in flames.

Crews had extinguished a fire in the same unit earlier in the afternoon.

An adjoining unit was also badly damaged, while a third sustained smoke damage in last night's fire.

4 people were evacuated without injury.

Meanwhile, fire has destroyed a 3-bedroom home at Paines Crossing, west of Cessnock.

3 Rural Fire Service crews were called to the weatherboard home on Settlers Road just before 3.30 this morning.

A female resident was treated by Paramedics at the scene for smoke inhalation.

RFS fire investigators are trying to determine the casue of the blaze.

Child Sex Abuse Inquiry Begins In Newcastle

An iquiry into an alleged Catholic Church cover up in the Hunter has heard the community has a collective responsibility to protect victims.

The Special Commission of Inquiry is investigating claims made by whistleblower, Detective Chief Inspector Peter Fox about two paedophile priests in the Maitland/Newcastle diocese, both of whom are now deceased.

Commissioner Margaret Cunneen told Newcastle Supreme Court there needs to be an end to the conspiracy of silence around the crime and the need to protect victims who've come forward.

Packed House Farwells Larger than Life Police Officer.

Hundreds of people gathered in Newcastle City Hall this morning to farewell one of the Hunter's most loved and respected police officers.

Senior Constable Tony Tamplin died suddenly of a suspected heart attack on Monday, aged 54.

The man described as "Mister Marvellous" was honoured posthumously by Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione with a National Poice Service Medal.

Family members, the media and members of Variety spoke warmly at the service.

60 jobs lost with Newcastle Industrial Relations office closure

Newcastle's Industrial Relations office is set to close after the O'Farrell Government announced it will cut Fair Work jobs.

60 Fair Work Inspectors stand to lose their jobs.

State Opposition says the move jeopardises workers experiences in NSW.

Shadow Industrial Relations Minister, Adam Searle, says the government should guarantee public services and public service jobs in regional areas.

New Dams ditched from Lower Hunter Water Plan.

The proposal for new dams as a part of the Lower Hunter Water plan has been knocked back.

Instead, the plan will focus on water efficiency measures, wastewater recycling, rainwater tanks, stormwater harvesting and the construction of an emergency desalination plant.

Greens MP, John Kaye the new plan is cheaper, better for the economy, environment and jobs.