Port Stephens Junior AFL Team Forced To Isolate After COVID-19 Case

BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter and Central Coast AFL officials have cancelled all games of an under Nines' Port Stephens side after a boy tested positive to COVID-19.

The Nelson Bay Marlins side won't play for two weeks while all players are in isolation.

The boy is one of three new cases confirmed in Port Stephens on Thursday which are linked to a Sydney restaurant cluster.

He played in the Marlins game against Newcastle City at Don Waring Oval on July 19 - players and officials from the opposing team and others at the ground have been told to be on the lookout for Coronavirus symptoms.

Meanwhile, Hunter New England Health has opened a new COVID-19 drive through testing clinic at the Tomaree Sports Complex on Aquatic Close.

The clinic will be open between 8.00am and 4.00pm 7 days, however hours will be extended if necessary to meet demand.

To make an appointment for the drive through clinic or the Tomaree Hospital clinic, call 4964 7497.
Children under the age of five should be tested at the Tomaree Hospital Emergency Department.

Conflict over Port Stephens land sale puts Koalas at risk

BY HOLLIE HUGHES AND SANZIANA TIMIS


The future of a section of land along the Salamander Bay foreshore will be decided tonight at the Port Stephens Council meeting.

Councillors will vote on whether to sell off the 557-square-metre public site to developers which has been in council hands since 1977.

Mayor Ryan Palmer wants to use the sale to fund part of the $65-million-dollar Tomaree Sports Complex upgrade, however Port Stephens MP Kate Washington is urging them not to go ahead with the move.

Washington says the plans are short-sighted as the sale will not provide significant funds for the development and will directly
threaten the vital koala habitat situated along the foreshore.

The proceeds for the sale will be unlikely to surpass 1% of the $65 million-dollar total cost of the sport complex upgrade.

Any development on the site will place additional strain upon the local threatened koala species, particularly during the highly disruptive construction stage.

Washington says that there is "little point investing money in the koala hospital if we don't also retain their habitat."

"Yes, everyone wants these sporting facilities upgraded but it should not be at the cost of precious habitat and public land like this."