New Muswellbrook Fire Station Set to Open Next Year

BY OLIVIA DILLON 

Construction of the new Muswellbrook Fire Station is currently underway. 

Minister for Emergency Services and Resilience Steph Cooke and Member for Upper Hunter Dave Layzell visited the $3 million site today to observe its progress. 

Mr Layzell said it's coming along well. 

"This construction site is now at a stage where it has a concrete slab on the ground, it's got the steel frame up, and we're well on our way for the Fire and Rescue Station in Muswellbrook," he said. 

Plans for the site were revealed in November last year, following a string of devastating bushfires across the region in 2019 and 2020. 

The new Market Street station will feature a triple engine bay, training rooms, a fitness centre, and facilities for an on-site duty commander. 

Mr Layzell said it's exactly what the Muswellbrook LGA needs, and is a step in the right direction for the region. 

"A lot of the fire and rescue facilities need upgrades around the state and around the Hunter Valley and this is an important step forward. Muswellbrook Station is one of the biggest stations in our area and it's good to see our local firefighters have the facilities they need," he said. 

"It'll be finished in the early new year and we're all pretty excited to get the station operational for the Muswellbrook region." 

Hunter Valley Wine and Tourists Association says Tourists Alone Won't Save the Valleys Future

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association has reported figures  revealing COVID-19 has caused an $85 million loss to the Hunter Valley economy from March to May 2020.

"100% of businesses in the Hunter Valley’s wine and tourism industry have reported a significant reduction in revenue, with close to half of all businesses suffering a complete loss of income since COVID-19 restrictions were introduced in mid March," HVWT CEO, Amy Cooper said.

Ms Cooper says the excitement of welcoming tourists back to the Hunter Valley is being over shadowed by the enormity of the economic cost of the COVID-19 shutdown and an uncertain future still looms large for many wine and tourism businesses.

"80% of businesses have had to close, with COVID-19 restrictions forcing either full or partial closures," Ms Cooper said.

Businesses in the Hunter Valley have experienced an overall 95% reduction in business activity, with the tourism sector – accommodation, tour operators, activities & attractions, restaurants, cafes & bars – hardest hit by this pandemic.

The annual wine tourism economy is valued at $557 million per year, with running loss for the Hunter Valley reaching a $160 million since the bush fires started in the region in November 2019.

2,800 people are regularly employed in Wine Country, representing $104 million in wages annually.

"Our industry at 192 years old, is Australia’s oldest wine region and requires urgent protection and immediate assistance,” Christina Tulloch, President of the HVWTA said.

The HVWTA is calling for an extension to the Federal Government's Job Keeper payments.

"Three out of four businesses have still had to decrease their staffing levels, with over half of all Hunter Valley businesses having reduced their teams by 50% or more. Our industry needs certainty from Government about support beyond September,” Ms Cooper said. 

"The majority of Wine Country industry is small businesses, from owner operator run to employing up to 25 staff. It will take time and significant support for these small businesses to get back on their feet."

“A number of businesses have already made the incredibly difficult decision to permanently close. It’s a final heartbreaking call for people to let go of their livelihood, that they’ve invested years, if not decades in."

"So it is deeply concerning that 3 out of 4 businesses are reporting that they are uncertain and not confident in their viability over the next 12 months. The future of our wine tourism industry is under threat,” Ms Cooper said. 

The HVWTA is a member based not-for-profit, responsible for the sustainability of the wine tourism industry and destination marketing to attract visitors to the Hunter Valley.

The association currently receives no local, state or federal funding and is calling on government for critical funding investment.

"We want government to work with the HVWTA to ensure the Hunter Valley has a strong, viable and vibrant wine tourism industry into the future,” Ms Tulloch said. 

Image Credit: Sydney Expert

Singleton Bushfire Rebuild Given a Boost with $1.2 million

Singleton is set to benefit from $1.2 million in funding from the National Bushfire Recovery Agency, which will ease the burden of bushfire cleanup in the community.

At least $100 thousand will be allocated to the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Alliance, after the sector lost roughly $122 million in the wake of the fires.

The remainder of the funds will go towards a range of projects aimed at getting Singleton's visitor economy back on its feet, as well as upgrades to infrastructure and subsidies for rate payers.

Council’s General Manager, Jason Linnane, said the funding allows the region to get back to rebuilding following the disaster.

"We know that getting this grant funding on the ground is absolutely vital for our community’s capacity to recover from these devastating bushfires,” he said.

“That’s why Singleton Council has decided on a course of action that will most benefit our community. This funding will dramatically increase Council’s ability to deliver timely projects to support local business and industry recovery, community resilience and overall well-being.”

Singleton Council says it will continue to push for more recovery funding to assist in the ongoing rebuild effort.

Council’s funding allocation from the National Bushfire Recovery Agency grant in Singleton is as follows:

Organisation/ project description	Funding allocation
Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Alliance - Destination Marketing Program	$100,000
Broke Fordwich Wine Tourism Association – Tourism Marketing Program	$50,000
The Brokenback Trail Association Incorporated – Around Hermitage Tourism Marketing Program	$50,000
Singleton Chamber of Commerce and other stakeholders – Economic Development Programs	$125,000
Singleton Council – Social Work Programs in partnership with local community organisations	$125,000
Singleton Council – Paynes Crossing Bridge replacement in conjunction with Cessnock City Council	$200,000
Ratepayer assistance subsidy towards rates for affected properties in line with Council’s adopted Hardship Policy	$180,000
Hunter Valley District NSW Rural Fire Service – Support and asset provision/management	$100,000
Singleton Council – Investigation and design for replacement of Putty Valley Road Bridge/Culvert	$70,000
Singleton Council and Non-Council Managed Community Facilities upgrades	$225,000

Cessnock MP Says Firefighter Compensation Scheme Hasn't "Met His Expectations"

BY DAKOTA TAIT

State Member for Cessnock, Clayton Barr, has encouraged local firefighters to apply for financial assistance through the Volunteer Firefighter Payment Scheme, but admits the government's support hasn't met his expectations.

Although the scheme was announced in late December, volunteers with the RFS and SES have only been able to apply for financial aid from mid-January, with Mr Barr suggesting the scheme has come a month too late and is attached to too much complicated paperwork.

Mr Barr says the scheme may also leave many fireys shortchanged, and claims the $6,000 cap on compensation will only reimburse about 20 days of lost income for volunteers who may have been fighting fires for months.

Mr Barr says any firefighters in the Cessnock electorate who have been told they are ineligible for compensation should get in touch with his office.

"Firefighters have been so heavily relied on and called upon in our community over recent months, and we need them to recover financially, as well as emotionally and physically," Mr Barr said.

Volunteer firefighters can apply for assistance and access more information regarding the Volunteer Firefighter Payment Scheme here.

Cessnock MP, Clayton Barr

Bushfires Threaten Homes At Kahibah And Charlestown

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire crews have saved dozens of homes under threat from bushfires in Lake Macquarie.

A fire broke out during hot and windy conditions in the Glenrock State Conservation Area just after 4.30pm on Thursday.

It came within 130 metres of homes in Burwood Road at Kahibah, with crews able to use the Fernleigh Track as a natural fire break.

It's now list at Advice Level after burning through 3 hectares.

Meanwhile residents in Whitburn Close at Charlestown had a close call when a bushfire which broke out near the inner City Bypass just after 6.00pm quickly spread to their back fences.

Newcastle Fire Command says 10 fire trucks from across Lake Macquarie and Newcastle attended the fire.

It tore through 2 hectares and destroyed a shed before being brought under control.

Firefighters were also called to a bushfire which broke out near industrial lane off Johnson Avenue at Kurri Kurri at about 3.45pm on Thursday.

8 fire trucks attended the blaze, with crews taking 4 hours to extinguish and black out the fire.

A firefighter tackles the flames in the Glenrock State Conservation Area. Picture Merewether Fire & Rescue 

Flames lick at the backyards of homes in Whitburn Close at Charlestown. Picture: Sarah Farley

University of Newcastle to Reopen Closed Campuses

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The University of Newcastle has confirmed it will reopen its Callaghan and Ourimbah campuses tomorrow following today's shutdown due to catastrophic bushfire risk in the Hunter.

The campuses (excluding Port Macquarie and Taree) will return to normal operations at 12:01am Wednesday, with staff expected to attend work as usual. The University is still making decisions about its Coffs Harbour site, amid a spate of serious bushfires on the north coast.

Exams scheduled for Wednesday will go ahead as planned, while The Forum and other campus retail and childcare centres will reopen for normal business.

Those exams set for Port Macquarie and Taree will be rescheduled soon; students can expect to be emailed directly with details.

Callaghan and Ourimbah students who had exams scheduled for today will sit them on Saturday.

The University is advising staff and students to avoid travelling to campus if it is unsafe to do so; staff should notify their supervisor and students should submit an Adverse Circumstances claim if they are unable to attend exams in current conditions.

Properties At Threat From Greta Fire

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

UPDATE 5:45PM: The Harper Street, Greta fire has been downgraded to Watch and Act status.

An Emergency Warning has been issued for a grass fire burning at Greta.

We are hearing reports the fire is 3 hectares in size and moving fast in the vicinity of Harper Street and York Street, threatening properties on the north side of York Street.

Crews are on scene. Smoke and embers are emanating from the fire.

Two houses on Harper Street have sustained some fire damage to the backyard.

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