Newcastle's party scene has cleaned up it's act, with only one venue named on the State's Most Violent Venues list.
The Kent Hotel will now face Level Two restrictions forcing it to stop serving alcohol 30 minutes before closing, stop using glassware after midnight and provide alcohol time-outs every hour after midnight.
It comes after they recorded 12 assaults in the last year.
Friday 29 November 2013
Rail Report Recommendations
The Newcastle rail industry could be revitalised if the State Government follows the recommendations of a recent report.
If followed, the country would benefit from seeing 30% of rail manufacturing value remain with domestic suppliers.
The move would add approximately $15 billion to the economy over a 30 year period, with $3 billion coming from the Hunter.
If followed, the country would benefit from seeing 30% of rail manufacturing value remain with domestic suppliers.
The move would add approximately $15 billion to the economy over a 30 year period, with $3 billion coming from the Hunter.
Special Olympics Kick Off
Thousands of tourists will pour into Newcastle this weekend, as Sunday's Opening Ceremony at Hunter Stadium kicks off the Special Olympics Asia Pacific Games.
The Games will draw more than 2000 athletes from 30 countries as well as officials, spectators and volunteers.
The Games will start a year of Newcastle hosted events, including the Nutri-Grain Iron-man series, the Australian Bowl-riding Championships and the countdown for the 2015 Asian Cup.
The Games will draw more than 2000 athletes from 30 countries as well as officials, spectators and volunteers.
The Games will start a year of Newcastle hosted events, including the Nutri-Grain Iron-man series, the Australian Bowl-riding Championships and the countdown for the 2015 Asian Cup.
Koala Habitat Centre for Salt Ash
Thanks to a government grant, a koala habitat centre at Salt Ash is in the future for Oakvale Farm and Fauna World.
The grant has been awarded to achieve the innovative project which will benefit koala preservation efforts.
It is also expected the grant will assist improvement in the quality of tourist experiences in the Port Stephens and Newcastle areas.
The grant has been awarded to achieve the innovative project which will benefit koala preservation efforts.
It is also expected the grant will assist improvement in the quality of tourist experiences in the Port Stephens and Newcastle areas.
Monday 25 November 2013
Police Seek Witnesses To Brawl
A 22-year-old man is due to front court today charged with assault following a wild brawl at Birmingham Gardens.
A 19-year-old woman has also been charged after allegedly kicking a female paramedic in the head as the young woman was being conveyed to hospital for treatment on a badly cut hand.
Officers were called to Morris Street at about 10.30 on Saturday night to reports several people had been injured.
Police allege the 22-year-old assaulted a 50-year-old man with a glas bottle before slashing him with a knife.
The older man fell to ground, breaking his wrist. He also sustained multiple cuts to his body and head wounds.
Police and the NSW Ambulance Service say the alleged assault on the female paramedic is reprehensible.
There have been 52 separate incidents of physical or verbal assault on paramedics compared to just 16 in the same period last year.
Anyone who can assist police with their inquiries is urged to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Time To Pay
Hunter Councils are getting tough on people who don't pay their rates.
Cash-strapped councils are taking court action to seize homes and property in a bid to recover more than $14,000,000 in unpaid rates dating back years.
More than 11,600 demand notices were sent out by Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Maitland, Cessnock and Port Stephens councils last financial year.
Friday 22 November 2013
Reduction in DA Processing Times
Cessnock City Council has reduced processing times for development applications for local residents and businesses.
The September quarter showed a marked improvement from 2012 where the recorded average application took 93 days to process.
The September quarter showed a reduction in the average time taken to 57 days.
The improvement will make the city more competitive within the region.
Flashing School Zone
New flashing lights have been installed this week at Linuwel School, East Maitland.
The installation is a step in the state government's movement to improve school zone safety by December 2015.
The flashing lights provide extra road safety by slowing motorists when they are around school communities and provide a safer environment for pedestrians.
Redhead Men's Shed Facility Launch
Redhead Men's Shed today launched its new facility in the restored Lambton Colliery buildings.
A grant from the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation made the move possible and the building is now ready to benefit retired, unemployed and isolated men.
Newcastle Permanent supported the organisation due to the strong connection it holds with the community.
Push to Relocate Flying Fox Camp
Port Stephens Council is pushing to move a threatened bat species away from a residential area at Raymond Terrace.
The council has applied for a licence and grant to carry out the procedure.
The plan hopes to draw the Grey Headed Flying Fox camp to the centre of the Newbury Park by planting mature trees and removing exotic plants.
The council says the entire process will take care and caution to protect the species' habitat.
Illegal Asbestos Dumping
Lake Macquarie Council is trying to track down the person responsible for illegally dumping asbestos at Dora Creek recently.
A large amount of the potentially hazardous material was left on Hawkmount Road.
Council had to hire a licensed contractor to remove the asbestos and also had to pay the disposal cost.
Weather
The greater Newcastle area is again being lashed by thunderstorms this morning.
Small storms are moving down the valley through Maitland and into Newcastle and are likely to intensify this afternoon.
Thursday 21 November 2013
Monday 18 November 2013
Opposition's alcohol policy based on Newcastle style restrictions
State Labor has revealed its policies to reduce alcohol related violence in Sydney's CBD, including introducing Newcastle style restrictions on licensed venues.
Tony Brown from the Newcastle Community Drug and Action Team says the results in Newcastle, where alcohol related violence are evidence restrictions reduce violence.
However, the government says it has introduced "some of the toughest liquor laws in the land", reducing assaults on licensed premises across the state by 8 per cent in 2012.
Tony Brown from the Newcastle Community Drug and Action Team says the results in Newcastle, where alcohol related violence are evidence restrictions reduce violence.
However, the government says it has introduced "some of the toughest liquor laws in the land", reducing assaults on licensed premises across the state by 8 per cent in 2012.
Health professionals' concerns over T4 coal terminal
Concerns have been raised by healthcare professionals in the Hunter about Newcastle's future air quality with the proposal of a fourth coal terminal.
Particle pollution levels in Newcastle already exceed standards set by the World Health Organisation, with calls coming for the government to scrap the terminal proposal.
Dr. Ben Ewald from Newcastle Public Health Professionals says an increase in coal moving activity could have severe health effects.
Friday 15 November 2013
Wednesday 13 November 2013
Regulations To Be Changed To Protect Homes In Bushfire Prone Areas
Hunter residents living in bushfire prone areas will soon be allowed to clear trees and shrubs in order to protect their homes.
Under the proposed changes being put forward by the state government, residents won't need permission to clear trees within 10 metres and shrubs within 50 metres of their homes.
The Rural Fire Service will also be allowed to carry out hazard reduction burns on land without the owner's consent if they haven't been able to contact them.
Hunter Manufacturing Jobs Take A Hit
There are fresh concerns for the Hunter's manufacturing sector, with more jobs being shed from the region.
Earthmoving company, WesTrac is cutting 600 jobs across the country, including about 100 in the Hunter, saying it's profit guidance is down.
Unions are also worried about the 43 redundancies from UGL's Broadmeadow rail yard amid fears the facility might be forced to close unless the company is awarded more state contracts.
New Airport In The Wings
The region could be home to another airport as early as 7 years time.
Wyong Council has committed to a 250-million dollar facility being earmarked for site just west of the M1 Motorway.
A report to council identifies four stages of development starting with a 5-year masterplan for the site.
Mayor Doug Eaton says it's not a proposal for a second Sydney airport, but a regional airport capable of serving the 400-thousand residents who are expected to call the Central Coast home by 2031.
Friday 8 November 2013
NIB Launches Whitecoat Service
Newcastle's own NIB has launched an internet search tool offering an efficient and comprehensive way to find and compare healthcare providers.
It has taken the company three years to develop and will be available to all Australians.
The aim of the site is to allow the sharing of positive feedback and comparative costs for healthcare providers such as dentists, optometrists, physiotherapists and chiropractors.
It has taken the company three years to develop and will be available to all Australians.
The website Whitecoat provides contact details for 30 000 healthcare providers around Australia with users able to give reviews on the service they receive.
The aim of the site is to allow the sharing of positive feedback and comparative costs for healthcare providers such as dentists, optometrists, physiotherapists and chiropractors.
Armed Robbers Target Takeaway Stores
Investigations are ongoing after two armed robberies occurred in the Hunter overnight.
A takeaway store in South Maitland and another in Branxton were targeted in a two hour period.
The robberies are believed to be linked as both occurred under similar circumstances.
The offenders were armed with a truncheon and firearm.
Abolition of Advisory Panel for Older Australians Causing Concern
HUNTER senior residents could face an uphill struggle with housing and employment with reports the federal government will today abolish the Positive Ageing Advisory Panel.
The panel's role has been to provide advice to the government regarding ageing policies, and assist in carrying out reforms to benefit older Australians.
Seniors advocate group, COTA says the government needs to do more to ensure that the issues facing older Australians are recognised and relevant policies implemented.
Civic Reception for CityServe Volunteers
A civic reception will be held at Newcastle City Hall today to acknowledge the service of more than 800 CityServe volunteers.
The community project, which has been in the works since March this year, saw Novocastrian volunteers band together with the renovation of six surf clubs in October.
Over $500,000 worth of donations were received for the transformations, including paint, scaffolding, tiles and food for volunteers.
The council says the overwhelming community response demonstrates the culture of service in Newcastle.
Thursday 7 November 2013
Wednesday 6 November 2013
Tuesday 5 November 2013
Monday 4 November 2013
Greens oppose new Disability Bill
Critics have lashed out at the New South Wales Government after legislation to allow the Coalition to exit disability services was passed.
The National Disability Scheme legislation, which went through the upper house last week, would see disability services privatised by 2018.
NSW Greens MP JOHN KAYE says the bill raises grave concerns for patients and their carers.
"We have grave concerns that this massive privatisation will leave many people without appropriate levels of care, [it] will be an open invitation to the corporate sector to move in and will cut jobs and conditions in the sector.
"This is an outcome that was not what most people thought about when they were told about the NDIS, most people thought it was just about getting better service but the O'Farrell government has used it as an opportunity to privatise the entire sector.
"It appears that the O'Farrell government is deeply committed to the privatisation agenda. They need to hear from people in New South Wales, particularly the people who have family members in Stockton to say very clearly that full privatisation makes no sense."
Harry's New Playground.
Harry's House at Stockton has received a new playground thanks to the Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation
The specially built playground was donated to the facility which provides free accommodation to families whose children have cancer.
Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation chairman MICHAEL SLATER said the playground is a good community investment
"It's set up to accommodate all the safety requirements that now prevail with children's playgrounds and also to take care of some lack of mobility that may occur around sufferers of cancer," Mr Slater said, "this is an important facility for in so far as it provides some relaxation and recreation for that are dealing with the already stressful issue of cancer in children, so we thought it was a really good worthwhile community project."
The facility is owned by the Harry Meyn Foundation which was established in memory of Harry Meyn who died of a brain tumour at the age of 7.
Fund raising Coordinator for the Foundation, Samantha Meyn, said the equipment will make a lot of children happy.
"The House was fully renovated and... the renovations were absolutely beautiful but we just wanted add some fun and colour and excitement to the yard. We've got some interactive equipment all around the yard and on the side of the shed for the kids to play with."
The Newcastle Permanent Charitable Foundation is celebrating it's 10th birthday this year.
New MRI scanner could help medical breakthroughs
A multimillion dollar MRI scanner installed at the Hunter Medical Research Institute is hoped to bring about multiple medical research breakthroughs.
Installed in the soon to be opened MRI Centre at the institute, the scanner is the first of its kind in the southern hemisphere and twice as powerful as others available on the market.
The Acting Facility Manager of the MRI Centre, Professor Peter Stanwell says the scanner will allow researchers to access functional measures of the brain, its structure and chemistry.
Friday 1 November 2013
Rural Fire Service call to remain vigilant
Despite this weeks cool change, Hunter residents are warned to remain vigilant as hotter temperatures strike over the weekend.
Hot temperatures are expected over the weekend and throughout November with the potential to turn into a dangerous month of bush fires.
Temperatures in the mid-to-high 30s are expected on top of high winds could produce some fast moving fires.
Hot temperatures are expected over the weekend and throughout November with the potential to turn into a dangerous month of bush fires.
Temperatures in the mid-to-high 30s are expected on top of high winds could produce some fast moving fires.
Police Negotiators Called to Bar Beach Assault and Barricade
A 48 year-old man has been arrested following an alleged assault and barricade incident at Bar Beach yesterday afternoon.
Police negotiators were required at the Darby Street unit after the man allegedly threatened his female neighbour with a machete and then locked himself inside his unit.
The man was arrested around 4am this morning and will face NEWCASTLE Local Court later this month.
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