Driver rescued after being pinned by tree at Singleton

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A woman has been rescued at Singleton, after her car was struck by a tree and she was pinned in the vehicle.

A rescue pumper from Singleton Fire Station joined police, ambulance crews and SES personnel at the scene in John Street around 5.15pm on Monday afternoon.

It's believed the tree was felled by a wild storm which struck the area.

Emergency crews used a chainsaw to remove parts of the toppled tree to reach and free the driver.

The woman suffered a sore shoulder and cuts in the incident, and was transported to hospital for treatment to her injuries. 

Wild Storm Wreaks Havoc Across The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

The State Emergency Service has worked through the night attending to hundreds of calls for help across the Hunter following last night's brief but very powerful storm.

The weather bureau recorded wind gusts of up to 100 km/hr at Nobbys and around 120 km/hr in the Valley when the storm hit at about 6pm.

The strong winds brought down trees and power lines right across the region - in one case the aluminium roof of a home in Rees James Road at Raymond Terrace blew off just after 6.00pm, landing 20 metres away and bringing down power lines.

Police say thankfully no-one was hurt.

More than 12,000 homes remain without power across the region, with West Wallsend, Wallsend and Toronto the worst hit, where more than 4,700 customers are waiting to be reconnected.

Ausgrid says some of the repairs are complex and won't be complete until about 11.00am on Tuesday.

Sharon Fox from Ausgrid says crews have been kept busy with calls right across the region.

"We had 309 of our requests for assistance came in from our Northern Zone - 42 of those from the City of Newcastle, 41 from Cessnock, 33 in Maitland, 27 in Muswellbrook and 20 in Port Stephens," she said.

The SES says there are around 100 jobs outstanding in the Northern Zone stretching from the Central Coast to the Queensland border, with most of those in the Hunter region.

Survivors facing silence after death of convicted paedophile priest

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Catholic Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle is under fire, after an apparent silence following the death of priest and convicted paedophile Vincent Ryan.

It's understood, he passed away a few weeks ago at the age of 84, after a period of poor health.

The Clergy Abused Network (CAN) was informed about the death last Wednesday.

Of a number of victims and families of victims who were contacted by the organisation, none knew or had been told by the Diocese.

The Diocese declined to comment, but did confirm Mr Ryan's passing.

CAN co-founder and chairperson Robert O'Toole described the silence as disappointing, but not surprising.

He says the survivors and the families of victims should have been informed as a courtesy, and it shouldn't be up to him to let them know.

"I think it's remiss of the Diocese not to advise those affected or directly affected people," he said.

"It's not unusual that the Diocese or the Catholic Church generally wouldn't comment. I mean, we've experienced that in this Diocese as recently as last year, with another episode where there was no comment on a known perpetrator."

Mr Ryan was convicted of sexually abusing 37 children, first charged in 1995 and serving a number of prison sentences throughout his life.

He was the first Catholic priest in Newcastle, and one of the first in the world, to be convicted for child sexual abuse.

Mr O'Toole says his death could be a chance for closure, but survivors will still be left with questions and trauma.

"I think they're angry, because the Diocese or the Catholic Church hasn't laicised [removed from the clergy] Ryan," Mr O'Toole said.

"He remained a priest up until the time of his death, even though he unable to promote himself or practice as a Catholic priest.

"We lobbied long and hard for him to be laicised, but that has to come from the Pope in Rome, and he just wasn't forthcoming, despite the fact that there are others who have been incarcerated for lesser time and many fewer offences.

"They have been laicised, but Ryan was not, for some reason best known to themselves."

Image credit: ABC.

Travellers urged to take care as snow possible at Barrington Tops

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Authorities are reminding the public to be prepared, with strong winds and possibly snow forecast across the Barrington Tops for the next three days.

Access from Gloucester is currently closed, due to an unstable road in the Barrington Tops State Forest, which was damaged during rain in March last year.

Hunter Valley Police District Chief Inspector Guy Guiana says travellers need to take care.

“While access to the Barrington Tops from Scone is currently available, the unsealed road section is steep, narrow and winding, and ice and snow can make driving here extremely dangerous, even for 4WDs," he said.

“With strong winds, there is also potential for trees and branches to fall, posing a direct risk to visitors, and possibly blocking access into and out of the area.”

Mobile phone reception can be spotty, so visitors are also being urged to check conditions and road closures ahead of time.

Conditions could change rapidly, including rain, snow, strong winds, and sub-zero temperatures.

Three Teens Charged Over Wild Police Chase

 BY IAN CROUCH

Cessnock police have charged THREE teenagers after a wild chase from Kurri Kurri to Cameron Park.

They were called to reports of a number of cars doing burnouts at the Kurri Kurri McDonalds on Friday night when they sped off.

One of the cars, a Ford Falcon ute, was clocked at more than 180 km/ph in an 80km zone - the others, a Holden Commodore and a Toyota Camry were checked in excess of 140 and 160 km/hr respectively.

One of the drivers was a 17-year-old unaccompanied learner driver - the others aged 17 and 18 were on their P1 licenses.

Each driver had their licenses cancelled.

 

One of the cars allegedly involved in the pursuit Picture: NSW Highway Patrol

 

BREAKING! Teen Glassed During Street Altercation In Newcastle West

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to face court today accused of glassing a teenager during a street altercation in  Newcastle.

Police say the 18-year-old victim was walking along Hunter Street near Steel Street with a young female at about 4am on Sunday when 3 people in a car started verbally harassing the young woman.

They drove off but returned a short time later with a 34-year-old passenger allegedly getting out of the car and hitting the young man over the head with a bottle.

Police say a 27-year-old man in the car was also involved in the altercation - he's been charged with affray and granted bail to face court on June 23.

The older man's been refused bail to face Newcastle Court today charged with affray and actual bodily harm.

Police say the driver, a 27-year-old man, has been charged with unlicensed driving and low range drink driving.

The 18-year-old victim received stitches for a cut above the eyebrow.

Police say all three people in the car had been drinking.

Cathedral Park excavation to unearth rich Newcastle history

BY ALEXANDRA REES

Archaeological excavation have launched at Newcastle's Cathedral Park this week, ahead of a planned revitalization.

The site behind Christ Church Cathedral is the resting place for more than 3,000 European settlers, as well as an Aboriginal camping ground prior to settlement. 

It's considered a real possibility the excavation could unearth objects of Indigenous history including burial cuts and tombstone fragments.

Newcastle Council Regulatory Planning and Assessment Manager Michelle Bisson says the heritage of the site is absolutely essential to both protect and conserve.

"The site is being managed to work through the Aboriginal and historical archeological test excavations with regard to the history of the site," she said.

"It was one of our oldest cemeteries and prior to that it was an Aboriginal camp ground for thousands of years."

Council has been carrying out a number of improvement projects, as part of a masterplan to transform Cathedral Park into a showpiece destination for the city. 

Ms Bisson says she's looking forward to the final product.

"It's an iconic part of Newcastle," she said.

"It will be amazing when it's finished for people to be able to appreciate the site and the extensive heritage Newcastle has."

Police arrest teenager hiding in roof cavity after Singleton armed robbery

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Two teenagers have been charged after an alleged armed robbery near Singleton. 

About 1.30am early Thursday morning, a 25-year-old man was working inside a service station on Bridgman Road at Dunolly, when a woman entered the store. 

Police will allege in court as she was exiting, a man who was armed with a knife entered the store and threatened the attendant, before demanding cash and e-cigarettes. 

The pair fled on foot together towards the New England Highway. 

Officers from Hunter Valley Police District established a crime scene and commenced an investigation. 

Following inquiries, detectives executed a search warrant at a home on Wakehurst Crescent, Singleton Heights, shortly before 3pm later that day. 

A 14-year-old girl was arrested inside the home while a 16-year-old boy was located and arrested from inside a roof cavity. 

Both were taken to Singleton Police Station, and each face a number of charges.

The boy was refused bail to appear at a children’s court on Friday, while the girl was granted conditional bail to appear at a children’s court in late June.

Paramedics to Escalate Industrial Action

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Paramedics will escalate their industrial action from Monday, in response to state-wide ambulance shortages. 

The action comes after the Australian Paramedics Association NSW announced there were zero transport ambulances available for patients in Newcastle yesterday. 

Illawarra and the Central Coast have also been stung by the shortages and had no vehicles available. Meanwhile there were only 8 cars available in the Sydney LGA. 

An overflowing ambulance bay outside the John Hunter Hospital on Thursday also offered insight into the severity of the region's healthcare crisis. 

Secretary of the Hospital's branch of the NSW Nurses and Midwives Association, Rachel Hughes, told the Newcastle Herald this was a regular occurrence, with vehicles often forced to park on the road and in no stopping zones while they waited to offload patients. 

As part of the proposed action, participating paramedics not be putting patient billing information on their electronic medical records, making it much harder for NSW Health to send patients an ambulance bill.

They will also be refusing staff movements, which would see them relocated to another station once on shift, and are calling for an additional 1500 staff. 

State Member for Newcastle Tim Crakanthorp said the sector's lack of support is bearing fatal consequences. 

"People are waiting enormous times to actually get an ambulance. We had the terrible situation of a death of a Lake Macquarie woman who waited 7 hours for an ambulance back on the 29th of April, and she passed away only ten minutes after being admitted; that's a catastrophe," Mr Crakanthorp said. 

A 31-year-old Maryland mother also passed away last year after suffering from anaphylactic shock and waiting an hour for an ambulance to arrive. 

In response, NSW Ambulance is currently reviewing a pilot plan to use taxis to transport non-emergency patients to general practitioners and pharmacies.  

However, there are concerns this would just transfer the workload onto already under-pressure GP's. 

Mr Crakanthorp wants all avenues to be considered, and said it's fair enough paramedics are fed up. 

"They're tired of apologizing for attending to patients hours late and they're passionate about their job, they're passionate about healthcare, and when they can't get to patients quickly enough, they're devastated and so am I," he said. 

"On behalf of the community and myself, I'm calling on the government to increase resourcing and wages." 

NSW Paramedics will escalate industrial action starting Monday.  

Man charged after double fatal Tea Gardens crash

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A man is facing negligent driving charges after a double fatal crash near Port Stephens in March. 

Emergency services were called to the Pacific Highway at Tea Gardens on March 24, after reports of a crash involving two cars and a motorcycle. 

An Isuzu D-Max utility travelling southbound collided with a motorcycle and a Toyota station wagon, both travelling northbound. 

Both the male motorcyclist died at the scene and the female driver of the Toyota died at the scene 

A female passenger of the Toyota was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to the John Hunter. 

Officers from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District established a crime scene, which was examined by specialist officers from the Crash Investigation Unit. 

Officers arrested a 59-year-old man at Raymond Terrace Police Station on Thursday morning. 

The man now faces a series of charges, including that he crossed the dividing line.

He was given conditional bail to appear before Raymond Terrace Local Court in July. 

Image credit: 9News.

Hunter bikie arrested in connection to Sydney criminal crackdown

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A Hunter man is one of 45 people arrested in connection to a crackdown on Sydney criminal networks this week.

Taskforce Erebus arrested 18 men across south-west Sydney on Tuesday, while specialist units across NSW targeted associate and facilitators of organised crime in the regions. 

As part of that operation, officers executed a Firearm Prohibition Order search at a home on Seventh Street at Weston, about 7am on Wednesday.

During the search the occupant of the home, a 49-year-old man who is a member of the Life and Death Outlaw Motorcycle Group, was taken to hospital following a medical episode.

Police allegedly located a significant quantity of cannabis and declared a crime scene, before later executing a search warrant at the address.

Officers located and seized two rifles and a .22 calibre pistol, 350 rounds of ammunition, five gel blasters, an electronic stun device, almost 150 grams of methylamphetamine, 2kg of cannabis, $8,300 cash, and other items. 

Upon release, the man was conveyed to Cessnock Police Station and charged with 33 offences, including supply prohibited drug and supply cannabis, participate criminal group contribute criminal activity, knowingly deal with proceeds of crime, and 28 firearm-related offences. 

He was refused bail and appeared at Cessnock Local Court on Thursday, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at the same court next month.

Across the state, police arrested 45 people, seized eight firearms and more than 20 kilograms of MDMA and other prohibited drugs.

Fire crews on scene after Rathmines house fire

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A house in Rathmines has gone up in flames on Thursday night.

Fire crews were called to the Harborne Avenue home around 10:50pm.

Four units attended the blaze, and some firefighters remained on scene on Friday morning, putting out hotspots where they arose. 

No one was injured in the fire.

The condition of the home is not clear.

Truck ablaze on Pacific Motorway near Morisset

BY DAKOTA TAIT 

A truck is on fire at Morisset, on the Pacific Motorway approaching Mandalong Road.

Fire crews say the vehicle is well alight, and it's believed the driver has already escaped the vehicle.

Woman escapes campervan fire on New England Highway at Tarro

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A woman has managed to escape a campervan which burst into flames on the New England Highway at Tarro earlier today.

Fire crews were called around 12:45pm, and managed to extinguish the blaze.

No injuries have been reported.

The woman is understood to have exited the vehicle before crews arrived.

It's understood, the highway is closed toward Newcastle.

Three Sydney arrests made over Newcastle sexual assault

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Three men have been charged over an aggravated sexual assault in Newcastle, in February.  

Police will allege in court, a 19-year-old woman was sexually assaulted at a unit on Parry Street.  

Officers searched a home in Bossley Park in Sydney's West, earlier in May.  

A 28-year-old man was arrested, and taken to Fairfield Police Station.  

Detectives executed TWO more search warrants in Edensor Park and Horsley Park on Wednesday morning.  

A 20-year-old and another 28-year-old were arrested, and also both face charges.  

They're scheduled to return to court in early July.  

University of Newcastle defends $185 million surplus after union backlash

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Vice-Chancellor Professor Alex Zelinsky is defending management's financial practices, after it was revealed earlier this week, the University of Newcastle reported a $185 million surplus in its 2021 budget.

The National Tertiary Education Union has slammed the findings, arguing it's proof the University's financial situation wasn't as poor as made out to be through the pandemic.

The University cited concern over salaries and operating costs as a major trigger for a restructure, which saw 150 staff members lose their jobs and numerous courses slashed or merged.

But Prof Zelinsky has countered the claims, saying most of the cash is derived from the valuation of shares from an investment in IDP Education made 20 years ago, or other unrealised investments.

He says the union's claims are incorrect, and under the surface, the surplus is much smaller.

"These gains and losses and surpluses only matter when you actually sell your assets or liquidate the assets," he said.

"We keep our assets there for the long-term purposes of the University, which is paying for refurbishment of buildings and creating teaching and learning spaces for our students."

It's understood, the University will sell those shares at a best possible time, on the advice of experts.

Prof Zelinsky says the money is set aside for infrastructure costs, such as when the asbestos-ridden Hunter Building was closed down.

"To replace that building, it would cost the University $150 million," he said.

"We can't afford that, so what we've done is we've refurbished other spaces and we'll have to demolish the Hunter Building.

"No one pays for that - that's what surpluses pay for. Surpluses are not there to pay for salaries, because they're only one-offs. Salary rise goes year on year."

But the union maintains, however, the University needs to invest in its teaching body ahead of infrastructure, with concern there won't be appropriate staff to fill new or existing classrooms.

The union is currently engaged in enterprise bargaining, with some hope the budget figures will swing the discussion in its favour.

Prof Zelinsky says he's always in favour of a pay rise for staff, but the University needs to think about its bottom line.

"It's been a very hard time for the University to attract international students because of COVID," Prof Zelinsky said.

"It's now starting to come back, and if it does come back and our revenue starts to grow, of course we could afford pay rises.

"But they have to be sustainable - the University cannot go forward budgeting on losses and using its balance sheet to pay for them."

Image credit: University of Newcastle.

BREAKING! $1milion Reward Offered For Information Into Disappearance Of Gordana Kotevski

The NSW Government, together with the NSW Police Force, will today announce the reward for information into the suspected murder of Lake Macquarie teenager Gordana Kotevski has been increased to $1 million.

Gordana Kotevski, aged 16, was last seen being forced into a vehicle on Powell Street, Charlestown, while walking from Charlestown Square Shopping Centre to her aunt’s home on the same road about 9pm on Thursday 24 November 1994.

Despite extensive investigations at the time, and over the years, Gordana has not been located.

In a Coronial Inquest into Gordana’s disappearance in 2003, then State Coroner, Mr John Abernethy, found that Gordana Kotevski was deceased, most likely as a result of foul play.

To assist ongoing investigations, the NSW Government and the NSW Police Force announced the reward has now been increased to $1 million.

The new reward coincides with International Missing Children's Day.

 

Gordana Kotevski

BREAKING! University of Newcastle reports $185 million surplus amidst staff slashes

BY DAKOTA TAIT

It's been revealed, the University of Newcastle produced a surplus of $185 million in the same year it announced plans to make hundreds of staff members redundant.

The numbers came out in its 2021 Annual Report, tabled in parliament on Monday and audited by the NSW Auditor-General.

The University's reporting the "key driver of the surplus were strong investment returns which were mostly unrealised at the end of the year". 

That's compared to a surplus of just $7.5 million the year prior. 

The National Tertiary Education Union is slamming the revelation, saying claims about financial hardship during the pandemic are now clearly unfounded.

Newcastle Branch President Dan Conway says it's proof the University was never in real trouble.

"In our view, they're clearly not justified in light of the surplus that's now been announced," Mr Conway said.

"We said all along about the sort of concerns about COVID and the risk that that posed to the university and sector more broadly, however, we also cautioned against knee-jerk reactions without understanding the situation fully, and I think we've been vindicated through that process."

The University of Newcastle saw a major restructure last year, purportedly in an attempt to balance the books.

150 full-time equivalent academic positions were cut in the restructure, though 92 new roles were set to be created.

Some members of staff also attended a Senate Committee hearing last December to discuss casualisation issues at the University, after only five of more than 2,000 casual staff received an offer of ongoing employment.

Mr Conway says the University is legally obliged to be not-for-profit, and should return the funds into its core activities of teaching and research.

"We'd say that that stockpiling needs to be made available for staff," Mr Conway said.

"We're currently in the middle of enterprise bargaining, and it's going to be very hard to justify, from my point of view, cutting away entitlements and not giving staff pay rises that they deserve in light of this surplus."

"Ultimately, the vast majority of the surplus is available for the University to use, and management makes a decision not to funnel that where we think they should go, which is staff and students directly.

"And we see last week, the University coming out and making a statement about attempting to replicate Oxford in Newcastle, and that's code, in my view, for building more buildings."

The University of Newcastle has been contacted for comment.

More to come.

Council to discuss almost half-price offer for Inner City Bypass land

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle Council will discuss on Tuesday evening, a Government offer to purchase land for the Newcastle Inner City Bypass, at half what the City's valued it.  

Transport for NSW is offering $1.155 million for the compulsory acquisition of eight parcels of land at Lambton and New Lambton heights.  

An independent valuation, however, puts the land at $1.95 million.  

Councillors will decide if they'll formally reject the offer at their meeting, but the formal recommendation is that they continue negotiations and push for an offer at market value.

$250mil Coalition Commitment To Container Terminal Dumped During Election Campaign

 BY IAN CROUCH

It's been revealed the former Morrison government was planning to unveil a $250 million commitment to help establish a container terminal at the Port of Newcastle, but it was shelved at the last minute.

Nationals leader, Barnaby Joyce has told Fairfax  they dumped the announcement fearing it would be seen as giving money to the Port's Chinese owners.

It's understood the money was already allocated to the Port to construct stage one of the terminal.

Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody has been pushing the container terminal idea for some time, arguing it would contribute $2.5 billion to the national economy and create 15,000 local jobs.

 

A Coalition announcement to fund Stage One of a container terminal in Newcastle was shelved at the last minute

BREAKING! Bizarre Kayaking Rescue In Wetlands At Wallsend

 BY IAN CROUCH

Two men have been rescued after their kayak sank in the wetlands at Wallsend.

Police say they received a mobile phone call from one of the men just before 3.00am on Tuesday requesting urgent assistance, saying their kayak had sunk in waist-deep water about a kilometre from Sandgate Road.

Newcastle Fire Command says rescue crews found the pair in swamp land behind The Gardens greyhound track at about 4.30am and took about 30 minutes to walk them out to dry land.

The men are being treated for hypothermia.

It's not known at this stage why the men were out kayaking in the wetlands in the middle of the night.

Labor holds on to Hunter seats as Albanese sworn in as PM

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Counting continues for the 2022 Federal Election, but Labor has managed to hold on to its four Hunter seats, with the party poised to make Government.

Leader Anthony Albanese was sworn in as Prime Minister on Monday morning, though it's not yet clear if he'll lead a majority government, or a minority with confidence and supply from a Greens and independent-packed crossbench.

Scott Morrison conceded as early as Saturday night, and resigned from the Liberal Party leadership.

Closer to home, Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon has kept her seat, despite a surge toward Greens candidate Charlotte McCabe.

Shortland MP Pat Conroy gained a slight swing over Liberal competitor Nell McGill, meaning he'll serve a third term and could grab a position in Albanese's cabinet.

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson achieved victory in Paterson, despite Liberal challenger Brooke Vitnell narrowing the margin to make it the closest seat in the region.

The Coalition also pressed hard in Hunter, but visits by Scott Morrison, Barnaby Joyce, and John Howard weren't enough to propel Nationals candidate James Thomson into parliament.

Labor candidate Dan Repacholi is now set to take over the reins from the retiring Joel Fitzgibbon. 

Nationals MP David Gillespie remains the region's only Coalition partner, comfortably holding on to his seat of Lyne for a fourth term.

Image credit: Dan Repacholi.

Diver found dead alongside Newcastle cocaine haul identified

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The diver found dead, alongside 50 kilograms of cocaine in the Port of Newcastle, has been identified.  

Bruno Borges is a 31-year-old Brazilian national and a professional diver.  

It's believed, he traveled to Australia after being hired by drug smugglers.

His family and friends are now campaigning to get his body back home.   

The search continues for another Brazilian connected to the incident.  

Man charged with stealing $50,000 from Gateshead pub

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A man's been charged, after allegedly stealing $50,000 from a Lake Macquarie pub on the weekend.  

Police allege, the 18-year-old broke into a locked safe at a Gateshead venue, early last Friday morning.  

Officers in Sydney arrested the man at a Pyrmont casino on Thursday afternoon.  

They seized $4500 in cash, and around $1400 in casino chips, finding more when they searched the man's car, as well as two extendable batons.  

Police also seized electronic items and items believed to be the proceeds of crime when they searched at a hotel room at Pyrmont and a home in Charlestown.

He was refused bail to appear in court.

Supporters hopeful second inquiry will clear Kathleen Folbigg convictions

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The NSW Attorney-General has ordered a second inquiry into Kathleen Folbigg's convictions for killing her four children.

Ms Folbigg was convicted in 2003, with murdering three of her children, and the manslaughter of a fourth.

But supporters remain hopeful, she'll be cleared on the basis of new scientific evidence. 

Ms Folbigg's lawyers are requesting a pardon, with many researchers arguing, at least her two daughters' deaths can be explained by a genetic mutation.

Supporter and friend Helen Cummings says the justice system needs to listen to the science.

"These were eminent scientists, four Nobel Laureates, 150 of them around the world," Ms Cummings said.

"If the law cannot accept their evidence into these sorts of cases, and has to push to so hard to say, you know, we're even willing for these experts to brief you." 

Attorney-General Mark Speakman made the announcement on Wednesday afternoon, saying the evidence needs to be tested, before a pardon is issued.   

It's understood, a pardon alone would not have cleared Ms Folbigg's convictions.

Ms Folbigg will be eligible for parole in 2028, after serving 25 years of her 30 year sentence.

Ms Cummings says she's hoping it's the end to a painful story.

"There are two parents in this whole saga, and you know unfortunately this is going to show possibly the worst miscarriage of justice in the world, that's how it's going to end up," Ms Cummings said.

"It's sad for Kathleen, she's still in prison, she shouldn't be.

"I mean, what is prison about? Are we protecting society from Kathleen? It's still punishing her, it's very wrong.

"I hope this is fast, and she can clear her name."

Belmont's mass vaccination hub to shut its doors

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The mass vaccination hub at Belmont is set to shut its doors on July 1. 

Hunter New England says, demand at the former Bunnings site is waning, after almost a year of delivering COVID-19 vaccines to the public. 

Around 271,000 of the 429,292 vaccinations across the region, were performed at Belmont. 

A smaller clinic will replace the site at the Wallsend Health Campus.

Police appeal after woman sexually touched at Singleton Heights

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Police have launched an appeal to the public for information as they investigate reports a woman was sexually touched while walking in the Hunter region earlier this week. 

About 5.30pm on Monday, a 27-year-old woman was walking between Robinson Way and Heather Place, Singleton Heights, pushing a three-year-old child in a pram. 

Police have been told while on Heather Place, a man approached her from behind before sexually touching her. 

The man did not attempt to touch the child. 

The woman struggled with the man before she was able to free herself and leave with the pram and child. 

Neither the woman or the child were injured during the incident.

Police would like to speak to a man who may be able to assist with their inquiries, described as being aged in his early 20s, with short curly brown hair and an olive complexion. 

As investigations continue, detectives are urging anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage from Robinson Way, Gardner Circuit, Willcox Avenue, Heather Place, and Bridgman Road near the Wattle Ponds Road intersection, between 5.30pm and 6pm on May 16 to contact Singleton Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Greens make final pitch to Hunter voters ahead of election weekend

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Greens have made a last-minute pitch to Hunter voters, just days out from the Federal Election.

It's considered a real possibility the minor party could hold the balance of power from the crossbench, offering confidence and supply to the next Government in the case of a hung parliament.

The party's promising to address local issues including housing affordability, for dental to be included in medicare coverage, climate action, and a 10-year job-for-job guarantee scheme for coal workers through the energy transition.

Senate Candidate David Shoebridge says mining jobs won't stick around, and the major parties need to prepare today.

"It's remarkable that both other major parties seem to think that coal's future will go on indefinitely," Mr Shoebridge said.

"We know that's not true, and we need politics to be honest about this, but also ensure that coal-dependent communities and coal-dependent economies have not just a lifeline, but a prosperous post-coal future."

The party's pushing a six percent wealth tax on billionaires, as well as a crackdown on tax avoidance and subsidies for corporations, to help fund the policies.

Greens Senate Candidate David Shoebridge and Newcastle Candidate Charlotte McCabe.

Muswellbrook named Australia's third most polluted postcode

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Muswellbrook has been identified as the country's third worst postcode when it comes to air pollution, according to a new study by the Australian Conservation Foundation.

The organisation pulled the most recent emission data from the National Pollutant Inventory, collected from power stations, manufacturers, and mines. 

Mount Isa topped the list, followed by Newman in Western Australia. 

Six of the top ten postcodes for the highest air pollution also had a coal-fired power station or a coal mine.

You can take a look at the numbers in your postcode here.

Image credit: Australian Conservation Foundation.

UPDATE! Muswellbrook unit fire now considered suspicious by police

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has caused extensive damage to the bedroom of a home at Muswellbrook overnight, which police are now describing as suspicious.

Firefighters from Muswellbrook and Aberdeen were called to the Tindale Street address around 7.45pm on Tuesday to find thick smoke coming from the single unit.

It took crews about 30 minutes to bring the fire under control.

Newcastle Fire Command says the occupant managed to escape before the fire took hold.

The 41-year-old woman was assessed at the scene for smoke inhalation, but declined hospital treatment.

The unit was significantly damaged, though the fire was contained to the single unit.

A crime scene was established at the site, with police launching an investigation into the causes of the blaze.

Anyone who may have information is urged to contact Muswellbrook Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

The fire scene at Muswellbrook Picture: Muswellbrook Fire & Rescue

UPDATE! Police Search For Missing Man In Upper Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

 A man reported missing from the Branxton area earlier this week has been found.

71-year-old John Russell was last seen at the Branxton River Park on Monday afternoon and was driving a motorhome.

Police say John was found safe and well at a rest stop on Tuesday afternoon. 

EARLIER:

Hunter Valley Police have issued an appeal for help to find a man who's been missing since Monday afternoon.

71-year-old John Russell was last seen at the Branxton River Park on John Rose Avenue.

He's believed to be driving a motorhome.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Singleton Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Missing man John Russell and a motorhome similar to the one he's been driving

Newcastle Roundhouse scores a spot on State Heritage Register

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Newcastle's iconic Roundhouse building has been recognised on the State Heritage Register.

The former City Administration Centre, now a five-star hotel, is being acknowledged as a key example of brutalist architecture in New South Wales.

The building originally opened in 1977, taking five years to build.

Local architect Brian Suters, who worked with the original design team, nominated the site for listing.