Changes to Newcastle Bus Services Released, Newcastle East Residents Given Direct Route to Marketown

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

Community members can now start to plan their trips on the updated Newcastle bus network. 

From December 13, there will be changes across the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie network, aimed at improving reliability and services. 

“Bus timetables, including some school bus services, have had their timings tweaked to improve the efficiency of the network for our customers," says Keolis Downer Hunter, General Manager, Mark Dunlop. 

“We have also extended the route 23 to Newcastle East, providing a direct connection for Newcastle East residents to Marketown, in response to customer feedback.” 

For more details on the improvements, including the new network map and timetables, customers can visit the newcastletransport.info. website. 

“I encourage our customers to head to newcastletransport.info or their favourite travel app to plan their new trip. 

“Our Customer Service Officers can also provide personalised assistance, to assist both existing customers and those new to public transport via our virtual travel concierge or at the Newcastle Interchange.” 

Customers can plan their trip, find out more about the improvements or get in touch with the Newcastle Transport team at http://newcastletransport.info.

Image Credit: Showbus

Newcastle Airport Now Offering Business Class Experience on Boeing 717 Flights to Brisbane

BY ISABEL EVERETT 

Hunter residents will now be able to fly business class aboard a Qantas Boeing 717 from Newcastle to Brisbane. 

The two-class aircraft which has a capacity of 110 seats, 12 of which are business class touched down from the Sunshine State at Newcastle airport on Monday. 

The new planes fly to the northern Capital in 15-minutes less time than previously used Dash 8 Q400 aircraft which hold approximately 75 passengers. 

Newcastle Airport CEO Dr Peter Cock says the aircraft upgrade is a credit to the people of the region who have always strongly supported air travel to Brisbane.

“As Northern NSW’s primary gateway to QLD we are seeing passenger demand driving an increase in flight frequency and capacity into South East Queensland, he said.

“We certainly welcome Qantas’ decision to operate the 717 aircraft and look forward to further expansion of services on all our routes.”

QantasLink CEO John Gissing said the additional seats would support the growing demand for travel between Newcastle and Brisbane.

“Qantas is now close to offering the same number of seats on this route as we did before COVID-19, which is fantastic for businesses in the region.

Flights will operate double daily with a mix of 717 and Q400 aircraft.

Flights on the 717's will be daily, in the afternoon, building to twice daily as demand increases.

Image Credit: Aviation Australia 

Police Appealing for Help to Find Missing Teen Last Seen at Bus Stop Near Rutherford

BY ISABEL EVERETT 

Police are asking for public assistance to help locate a  teenage girl missing from the Hunter. 

15-year-old Sharday Safavizad, was last seen at a bus stop on Aberglasslyn Road near Rutherford about 12.30pm on Saturday November 14. 

She was reported missing to Port Stephens-Hunter Police District on Monday 16 November and police commenced inquiries into her whereabouts.

Sharday is described as being of Middle Eastern/Mediterranean appearance, with long brown hair and brown eyes.

She’s understood to frequent the Hunter and South-Western Sydney areas, including Liverpool.

Police are urging anyone with information, or who may know of her whereabouts, to contact police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

New Life Breathed Into Popular Park At Mayfield West

 BY IAN CROUCH

 The hard work of Mayfield West residents has paid off, with the official opening of a new all-abilities playground at Stevenson Park.

Newcastle Lord Mayor, Nuatali Nelmes unveiled a master plan for the 13 hectare sport and recreation precinct in February 2019 following extensive community consultation and advocacy through the Friends of Stevenson Park.

The $1.2 million active space features a variety of equipment such as swings and birds nest basket, climbing apparatus, inground trampoline, slide, basketball hoop and handball court. The upgrade also includes new shade shelters, seating, drinking fountain and barbeque.

 The playground is part of a major renewal of the Stevenson Park Sport and Recreation Precinct. The rollout of the Masterplan will see more car parking, fenced off-leash area for dogs and new footpath connections to existing sporting infrastructure provided in due course.

Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes and 4-year-old Violet cut the ribbon to open the new all-abilities playground. Picture City of Newcastle

Hunter Valley Woman Faces Court Over Alleged Bushfire and COVID-19 Assistance Fraud

 BY IAN CROUCH

 Strike force detectives have arrested and charged a Hunter Valley woman as part of ongoing investigations into alleged fraudulent claims for bushfire and COVID-19 assistance grants.

Police allege that between Thursday 12 March and Sunday 13 September 2020 the 31-year-old fraudulently applied for 34 grants, with 11 of those granted valued at $104,000.

It's also alleged the woman obtained a further $268,000 in grants to which she was not entitled.

Officers arrested Ellen Howard at an Aberdare home on Friday and charged her with 16 counts of dishonestly obtain financial benefit by deception.

She faced Newcastle Local Court on Saturday where her application for bail was refused.  

Investigations Continue Into Fatal Crash At Ryhope

 BY IAN CROUCH

 Crash investigators are looking into the circumstances leading up to a fatal collision at Ryhope.

A Toyota Camry and Hyundai Getz crashed head-on on Wakefield Road just before 7.30am on Sunday, trapping both drivers.

The male driver of the Hyundai died at the scene - the male driver of the Camry has been treated for leg injuries in the John Hunter Hospital and has undergone mandatory testing.

Investigators are looking into whether speed and fatigue were factors in the crash and are appealing for witnesses to come forward.

 

 

5-Year-Old Boy Attacked By Family Dog At Sunshine

 BY IAN CROUCH

 A 5-year-old boy is undergoing surgery after being attacked by the family dog at Sunshine in Lake Macquarie.

Police say the incident happened at a home on Sunshine Parade just before 4.30pm on Sunday.

The boy suffered bite wounds to the left side of his neck.

He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being flown to the Westmead Children's Hospital by the Westpac Rescue Helicopter in a stable condition.

Police have been told the two-year-old Rottweiler will be euthanised.

Inquiries are continuing.

 

 

Two Car Crashes on Hillsborough Road Causing Significant Traffic Delays

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

Emergency services have been called to the scene of two,  three car crashes at Hillsborough on Hillsborough Road. 

One crash occurred just before midday on Friday near Higham Road, with one westbound lane closed and eastbound traffic also affected.

Traffic is backed up from the Higham Road turnoff across the Newcastle Inner City Bypass. 

A woman believed to be in her 20's has been transported to John Hunter Hospital in a stable condition complaining of abdominal pain.

In a separate incident three cars have also crashed on Hillsborough Road, at around 12.20pm approaching Crockett Street. 

Meanwhile an earlier car fire on the M1 Pacific Motorway is causing delays for Northbound traffic at Wyee in Lake Macquarie.

The incident happened approximately 2 kilometers South of Mandalong Road.  

Motorists are advised to allow extra travel time. 

Lord Mayor Set to Speak at Inquiry on Newcastle Missing Out on State Grants

BY ISABEL EVERETT AND DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes will speak at a State Government inquiry on Friday, raising the issue of the city missing out on grant programs.

The inquiry into Integrity, efficacy and value for money of NSW Government grant programs was launched earlier this year to investigate the procedures and results of grant programs.

Mr Simon Massey, Economic Strategy and Government Relations Manager for the City of Newcastle, also speaking at the inquiry, says Newcastle has somehow been deemed not regional enough to receive regional grants, and not metropolitan enough to be eligible for programs aimed at Sydney.

"Potentially we've fallen through the cracks," Mr Massey said. "In a research report conducted by the University of Newcastle has identified over $175 million in missed NSW Government grant opportunities that the City of Newcastle has not been eligible to apply for, and therefore hasn't received."

"We'll be raising and tabling that report at this morning's inquiry."

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp is also set to discuss the city's exclusion and inconsistencies in eligibility for funding programs. 

Mr Crakanthorp says Newcastle was excluded from all arts and infrastructure programs until new announcements made in last week's budget.

“It’s uncanny that these new funds were announced during the middle of an inquiry that has already revealed widespread pork-barrelling in Government grant programs,” Mr Crakanthorp said.

“It’s quite clear that previous programs have been designed to deliberately exclude Newcastle, which also happens to be a safe Labor seat."

These concerns come regarding the distribution of the $250 million council grant scheme, amid claims 95 percent of it went to Coalition seats, with Newcastle missing out. 

Premier Gladys Berejiklian admitted on Thursday to Government pork-barreling, saying the practice was not illegal.

Ms Berejiklian said a majority of grants were handed out to Coalition-held seats as there were simply more of them.

"Guess what? There are more Coalition seats than any other," she said on Thursday. 

Woman Trapped in Three Car Crash On John Renshaw Drive

 BY ISABEL EVERETT

Paramedics worked to  free a woman trapped in her vehicle in a three car crash on John Renshaw Drive at Black Hill on Friday. 

The crash occurred at 8.39am on Friday morning near Buttai Road, trapping an 19-year-old woman in her car. 

She's reportedly suffered neck injuries. 

Traffic conditions have returned to normal. 

UPDATE! Passenger Trains on Newcastle, Central Coast and Hunter Line to Resume after Train Test Cancelled

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union has withdrawn stop work action on the Newcastle, Central Coast and Hunter train lines after the testing of what they deemed "unsafe trains" was cancelled. 

Limited train services have resumed, however delays are expected throughout the day. 

Passengers are advised to allow plenty of extra travel time, check real time apps or consider alternative travel arrangements with  flow on delays from this mornings industrial action creating disruptions throughout the day.  

Passengers should also listen to announcements and check information displays

Transport for NSW announced early on Friday morning that there were changes to NSW TrainLink Intercity services. 

 

The RTBU were refusing to work on New InterCity Fleet (NIF) trains being tested on Friday and Sunday on the Newcastle line, over "serious safety concerns".

“Currently, guards can hear people yelling and keep their eyes on the platform and doors until the train pulls away – they won’t under the new model," the RBTU said in a statement.

The testing has now been cancelled. 

RTBU NSW Secretary Alex Claassens said, “It’s really disappointing that we reached this point and railworkers had to stand up as the last line of defence in protecting the community.
 
“I look forward to upcoming discussions where safety concerns will be front-and-centre and railworkers views will be heard,” he said.

Transport for NSW says they were incredibly disappointed and perplexed by the unplanned industrial action taken by the RTBU and its members.

 

 "We've been undertaking extensive testing as you do for any major train coming into service. This is a program we've been undertaking for a number of months, so we're slightly perplexed," Train Link Chief Executive Pete Allaway says.

Transport Minister, Andrew Constance says any claims the trains are unsafe, are wrong. 

Thousands of Dollars Worth of Plants Stolen from Hunter Region Botanic Gardens

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Thousands of dollars worth of plants have been stolen from the Hunter Region Botanic Gardens.

Robert Beautement, CEO of the Botanic Gardens, says volunteers have been noticing missing plants since Sunday and the robbers could have had "more than one visit".

"Some time between Sunday and Wednesday this week, there's been the progressive disappearance of plants," Mr Beautement said. "The thefts have occurred in two of our most popular gardens - the succulent garden and the bromeliad garden."

"We estimate about 100 plants have gone missing. The volunteers work terribly hard in the gardens and this is a big loss to them - they put their heart and soul into the gardens, and they're very distressed about the whole matter."

A similar amount of plants were also stolen from the Gardens two years ago.

"There's a few theories - apparently there's a bit of a market in this sort of thing, the online purchasing of these plants," Mr Beautement said. 

"Not necessarily in the Hunter, but sometimes out of town as well. Apparently there is a market for things like succulents and bromeliads."

Police have been notified, and the Gardens are currently accepting donations in the form of replacement plants or money.

Image credit: www.huntergardens.org.au/gallery

Hunter Projects to Receive $15 Million Bonus in Mining Royalties

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Thirty-five projects across the Hunter will receive a share in more than $15 million in bonus funding thanks to a revision of the Resources for Regions program.

The Resources for Regions program, which began in 2012, makes councils affected by the mining industry eligible to receive a share in mining royalties. 

While councils were originally required to meet a cost-benefit ratio as well as match the mining royalties in a fifty-fifty co-contribution, the latest reform has made it easier for communities to share in the funding.

Maitland, Singleton, Cessnock, Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and the Upper Hunter will all receive extra funding for major projects.

Singleton Mayor Sue Moore says fifteen shovel-ready projects have been fast-tracked locally thanks to a budget bonus of $4.5 million.

"Many of these groups would have had to have fundraised for years to be able to bring about the funding, particularly with the community groups," Cr Moore said. 

"Council programs, of course, and infrastructure, that means we've got to pick between various projects, but we can deliver all of these projects and programs with the community as well as council benefitting."

The projects in Singleton include $500,000 for a new grandstand for Singleton Rugby Club, $560,000 for the Broke Village Shared Footpath, $299,000 for the Wonnarua Healing Centre, and $600,000 for upgrades to Hamiltons Crossing Road Causeway.

Maitland Council will also see $886,213 to develop a shared path at Walka Water Works in Morpeth, while Newcastle will put $500,000 toward a new active hub at Wallsend's Federal Park.

Cr Moore says the reforms to the Resources for Regions program were long-awaited and would go a long way to growing regional economies.

"Council has worked long and hard on advocating for reforms to the Resources for Regions program and it's wonderful to see that the people of Singleton are finally reaping the rewards," Cr Moore said.

Man Arrested Over Alleged Shooting Incident At Scone

 

A man will face court today charged over an alleged shooting in the Hunter Valley earlier this week.

Just after 4am on Tuesday (24 November 2020), a 43-year-old man presented to Scone Hospital with gunshot wounds to his leg and ankle – he remains in a stable condition in John Hunter Hospital.

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District commenced an investigation into the circumstances surrounding how the man sustained his injuries.

Following further inquiries, police executed a crime scene warrant at a home on Barton Street, Scone, yesterday (Wednesday 25 November 2020), where they arrested a 51-year-old man.

During the warrant, police located two firearms and a hydroponic setup. Police remain at the scene this morning (Thursday 26 November 2020).

The man was taken to Scone Police Station, where he was charged with eight offences;

• Discharge firearm intend cause grievous bodily harm
• Possess unregistered firearm-not prohibited firearm/pistol (x2)
• Not keep firearm safely-not prohibited firearm/pistol (x2)
• Cultivate prohibited plant commercial quantity-cannabis
• Possess unauthorised firearm (x2)

He was refused bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court today (Thursday 26 November 2020).

Police will allege in court the 43-year-old attended the Scone property shortly before 4am on Tuesday (24 November 2020), where he spoke with the older man at the premises.

It will be further alleged the pair became involved in an altercation before the older man shot the younger man.

The younger man left the scene and drove to a nearby premises before attending Scone Hospital for treatment.

Initial investigations suggest the incident was targeted.

Investigations are continuing.