Wallsend Sinkholes Prompt Multi-Agency Operation

BY SHY-ANN ARKINSTALL

Wallsend residents were met with a surprise when at 9:00am on Saturday morning, a sinkhole opened up on Fogo Street.

Emergency services were called to the scene at 9:45am to find the mine subsidence was impacting a total 100-square-metres of space. 

Around 40 residents were evacuated from their homes as a precaution, with 17 still staying in temporary accommodation.

Wallsend Diggers Sports Club also sustained damage on their bowling greens which is expected to cost into the millions to repair.

Parts of Fogo, Kokera, Bulkara and Cowper Streets still remain closed and motorists and pedestrians are urged to avoid the area where possible.

On Monday, a second sinkhole opened up on Platt Street, however, the Mine Subsidence Authority does not believe the two are linked.

Police are now leading a multi-agency operation to address the depressions.

Image: Newcastle Herald

COVID-19 Alert! Visitors To Wallsend Diggers And Jesmond Hotel Urged To Self-Isolate

BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter New England Health has issued an urgent advice after a COVID-19 positive patient from Sydney visited a hotel and a club in Newcastle's Western Suburbs.

Anyone who visited the Hotel Jesmond on Wednesday July 29 between 7.30pm and 9.30pm, and Wallsend Diggers on Thursday July 30 between 7.30pm and 9.30pm is directed to self-isolate for 14 days.

The local Health Authority is still working to contact anyone who attended the venues, which are now undergoing deep cleaning.

Public Health Physician, Dr David Durrheim says it's vital anyone who attended these two venues at these times to self-isolate to limit the spread of the virus and to seek COVID-19 testing immediately .

"I encourage everyone to follow directions they receive about home isolation and quarantine, and maintain COVID-safe practices of physical distancing, coughing or sneezing into their elbow, and regularly washing hands," he said.