BREAKING! Firefighters Called To Popular Holiday Village At Port Stephens

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed a caravan at a popular holiday village at Port Stephens early this morning (Wednesday 12 May 2021).

Fire and Rescue and RFS crews were called to the Island Leisure Village at Fenninghams Island near Bobs Farm just after 2.00am to find a 15 X 8 metre van under an awning well alight.

They took just over an hour to extinguish the flames - vans either side were affected by heat and smoke.

Crews also protected two gas cylinders at risk from the flames.

There were no occupants in the van when the fire broke out and no-one was injured.

Police say it's likely the fire was caused by an electrical fault.

No New Covid-19 Cases Recorded in the Hunter Today, 5 Active Cases in Region

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Hunter New England Health have reported no new Covid-19 cases in the Hunter region today.

There have been 14 new cases diagnosed in the NSW today, none of which are connected to the Hunter.

The latest NSW Health figures as of 12pm Tuesday July 28th, show there are currently 5 active cases in the region.

Two cases are in the postcode 2290, suburbs within this postcode include:

BENNETTS GREEN  CHARLESTOWN  DUDLEY  GATESHEAD  HILLSBOROUGH

KAHIBAH  MOUNT HUTTON  REDHEAD  TINGIRA HEIGHTS WHITEBRIDGE

Two cases are in the postcode 2315, suburbs within this post code include:

• CORLETTE 
• FINGAL BAY 
• NELSON BAY 
• SHOAL BAY 

One case is in the post code 2316, suburbs within this postcode include: 

ANNA BAY BOAT HARBOUR BOBS FARM

FISHERMANS BAY ONE MILE  TAYLORS BEACH

Despite the continuing legal limit of 20 people, NSW Health are advising residents to not host or go to a gathering of more than 10 people at home.

Anyone feeling unwell - even with the mildest of symptoms such as a runny nose or scratchy throat is urged to  seek testing and self-isolate until they get the result.

Man Charged Over Single Car Crash At Bobs Farm

BY IAN CROUCH

A man has been charged with mid range drink driving after crashing his car at Bobs Farm overnight.

Police say the 43-year-old from Toronto was driving a silver Holden Commodore sedan along Nelson Bay Road just after 10.00pm on Thursday when he lost control and crashed into the bush.

He suffered seat belt burns and lacerations but refused treatment at the scene.

The man was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station where he was treated by paramedics.

Police say he returned a blood alcohol reading of point 139 and is due to face Raymond Terrace Court on March 11 charged with mid range PCA.

Little Boy Drowns in Backyard Pool

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A report is being prepared for the coroner after a backyard swimming pool tragedy at Bobs Farm last night.

Emergency services were called out to a home on Marsh Road around 6:40pm after a 19-month-old boy was found unconscious in the pool.

Paramedics were sadly unable to revive the boy.

A crime scene has been established as Port Stephens Police investigate the incident, but initial inquiries suggest there are no suspicious circumstances at play.

Community Meeting Reveals Details of Sand Mine

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Bobs Farm residents are outraged after a fiery community consultation meeting with developer Tattersall Lander, over a proposal to build a sand mine 15 metres below the water table.

Around 40 people heard company director, Bob Lander reveal key points of the project, which will see 36 hectares of land cleared and result in 180 truck movements a day between the hours of 7am to 6pm. 

There's concern about the effects on threatened species living on the land, with a 24.5-hectare void to be left after extraction takes place. 

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington has vowed to oppose the venture and says residents at the meeting were appalled by what they heard. 

"Initially there was a sense of disbelief in the room at the information that was being presented," she explained, "but then it became betrayal - how could anyone think it's okay to dig up ancient sand dunes to 15 metres below the water table and then leave a 24-hectare void?" 

The MP is concerned trucks will be passing the 100-year-old Bobs Farm Public school every three minutes, posing air quality hazards and driving families away from the area. 

"This proposal is an abomination. Alongside my community, I will be opposing this venture every step of the way." 

Tattersall Lander intends to file final submissions to the Department of Planning by Christmas, at which point the full details will go live on the Department's website. 

It's understood following approval, the sand mine could be up and running in three years. 

Image: mprnews.org