Body Of Diver Found With $20m Worth Of Cocaine At Kooragang

BY IAN CROUCH

Police investigating a scuba-diver found dead on Kooragang Island alongside 50 kilograms of cocaine, are describing the suspected smuggling operation as a professional job. 

The man remains unidentified, despite extensive checks. 

He was found with high-end diving equipment, including a wetsuit and a rebreather. 

Police are exploring the possibility, the drugs were strapped to a vessel which left Argentina a month ago. 

That ship is likely to be able to leave the Port on Tuesday evening, after it was searched and its crew was interviewed. 

But investigators are appealing to the public, with reports an inflatable dinghy and a runabout were seen near the ship on Sunday night. 

Dive shops are also being asked to provide any information, with the possibility the scuba equipment was purchased in Australia.

EARLIER:

A multi-agency investigation is underway after the body of a diver and more than 50kg of cocaine were found in the Hunter River at Kooragang Island.

Emergency services were called to Heron Road at about 9.30am on Monday to find the man unconscious on the shore.

Members of the public and paramedics commenced CPR but he died at the scene.

Several packages of white powder believed to cocaine were found in the immediate area - police estimate it's potential street value is $20 million.

Police divers and Australian Border Force personnel will continue searching the river today as Organised Crime Squad detectives and Australian Federal Police continue investigations.

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers.

The body of a man and more than 50kg of cocaine has been found at Kooragang

Blue-green algae sparks red alert in the Hunter River

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Local Land Services is warning, the Hunter River upstream of Glenbawn Dam is at red alert, due to the presence of blue-green algae.  

Landowners are being advised to remove livestock from the foreshores.   

Other water users are advised to avoid all contact with the water.  

Recent inflows could have changed the conditions, but locals should wait for the advisory to be lifted.  

Koppers Fined For Coal Tar Pitch Spill At Port Of Newcastle Wharf

BY IAN  CROUCH

Koppers Carbon Materials and Chemicals at Mayfield North has been fined after spilling coal tar pitch onto the wharf at the Port of Newcastle.

The Environment Protection Authority says around 2,000 litres of pitch was sprayed onto the wharf in March, with some going into the Hunter River while the material was being transferred from a tanker to the main Koppers plant.

The company has been fined $15,000 for the incident, the largest fine the EPA can issue under its legislation.

Koppers arranged a clean up and has changed its practices to ensure the incident doesn't happen again.

Upper Hunter Residents Asked to Help Name Mountain

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The Geographical Names Board is seeking community feedback on a proposal by a community member to name a mountain in the suburb of Upper Rouchel as Mount Brook.

Chair of the Geographical Names Board Narelle Underwood said public feedback is being sought before the board considers the proposal.

“It is important that place names reflect the character and history of the local area and community,” Mrs Underwood said. 

“We want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to provide their feedback on the proposed name.” 

The name proposed is for a mountain located between Scone and Barrington Tops and close to two brooks; Stewart's Brook to the north and Rouchel Brook to the south. 

The proposed name, Mount Brook, reflects local geographical features in the area with water from the mountain flowing into both brooks and on to the Hunter River. 

Details of the proposal can also be viewed, and submissions lodged on the Geographical Names Board’s website. 

Alternatively, email submissions can be sent to ss-gnb@customerservice.nsw.gov.au or written submissions may be lodged with the Secretary Geographical Names Board 346 Panorama Avenue Bathurst NSW 2795.

The closing date for submissions is 4 July 2020.

Young man's body found in Hunter River

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A man's body has been found in the Hunter River.

Around midday today, police were called to the Hunter River near Nelsons Plains following the discovery of a body.

While the deceased man is yet to be formally identified, police believe the remains to be 18-year-old Lachlan Maas who disappeared from his home in Raymond Terrace on Sunday.

The death is not being treated as suspicious.

A report is being prepared for the coroner.