BREAKING! Major Aircraft Emergency At RAAF Base Williamtown

 BY IAN CROUCH

Emergency services have been called to reports of a defence aircraft in distress circling the Williamtown RAAF Base.

Police say an E-7A Wedgetail with ten crew on board lost cabin pressure at about 12.30pm on Wednesday.

It's understood oxygen masks were deployed and the aircraft circled the RAAF base for about 25 minutes until it was deemed safe to land.

The aircraft touched down just before one o'clock.

It is not clear if any of the crew have been injured.

Police say ambulance paramedics are assessing ten people at the scene.

The E-7A Wedgetail made a safe landing at Williamtown

 

Salt Ash Residents Call for Public School To Be Closed Amid Another PFAS Contamination

BY OLIVIA DILLON

 

Community members are calling for Salt Ash Public School to be closed, after elevated PFAS levels were detected on the playground.

The contamination caused by firefighting foam leaking from the nearby RAAF base previously resulted in the school having to switch from its own water bore to town water back in 2018.

In a notification sent to parents, the Department of Education said it would implement some minor additional measures to reduce the risk to students, staff and visitors, including covering the sandpit on the playground and installing synthetic turf on the premises.

However, residents say it's not enough, arguing the school should be closed, and community blood testing should be introduced to help monitor student exposure. 

 

Image: Salt Ash Public School Facebook Page

Massive Increase In Defence Personnel Expected To Benefit The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

It's hoped a major increase in defence personnel will bring jobs and economic benefits to the Hunter.

The Federal Government has announced plans to grow the Defence Force by around 30 per cent, with number the total workforce expected to reach more than 100,000 by 2040.

It's the biggest increase for the ADF in 40 years.

Liberal candidate for Paterson, Brooke Vitnell says it should also see a big boost to the Hunter's defence industries and our capacity to supply parts to the promised nuclear submarine fleet.

"We've got Farley, BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, Thales. We are a strategic and vital cog and the associated industry around here one would imagine would also grow as a result", she said.

The Lone Pine Army Barracks at Singleton could see a major boost in personnel

Newcastle Airport positioned for international flights and national defence

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Federal Government has announced huge investment in Newcastle Airport, shaping the Hunter up as a new heartland for tourism and defence.

BAE Systems has received an $80 million contract over five years, to provide ongoing support for Australia's F-35A fighter fleet at Williamtown RAAF Base.

The Government's committed another $60 million to increase funding for the F-35A Industry Support Program.

A $164.9 million contract has also been awarded to Downer EDI Works to improve airfield infrastructure not only for military aviation, but to enable civilian international flights.

Patron Senator for the Hunter Hollie Hughes says it will benefit the economy in more way than one.

"At the end of the day, we're going to see a much more substantial runway, we're going to see much more substantial jobs and regional tourism created from that," Ms Hughes said.

"This is going to be a boom for all Novocastrians, very, very quickly."

Construction is expected to begin early next year and wrap up by late 2023. 

It's hoped local businesses with supply 75 percent of the total contract value.

The works contract alone is expected to support around 300 jobs.

Newcastle Airport CEO Peter Cock says the potential in opening Newcastle up to the world is even bigger.

"We really think that getting our region to Singapore, really then gives those connections, but also importantly the traffic in, you've got access to a number of markets, because Singapore's such a huge global hub," Mr Cock said.

"Also not forgetting the freight - we need to get our amazing green produce out into Asia."

The possibility of permanent international routes from Newcastle Airport have long been touted.

The Federal Government initially announced this commitment in May this year.

It's hoped the Airport could host at least two international flights a day, in addition to domestic services.

Mr Cock says it's a whole new chapter for the Hunter.

"We're trying to partner with the NSW Government now, so we get all the tiers of government combining into this project," Mr Cock said.

"We've done a 50 year vision for this airport. We think it's between five and ten million people - so think Gold Coast, think Adelaide Airport."

"That's what this region needs, if we're going to be the airport the region deserves and service the economic activity, not be a handbrake."

Three Men Rescued After Yacht Sinks Off Port Stephens

BY IAN CROUCH

A yacht has sunk in deep water off Port Stephens overnight, promoting a major emergency rescue response.

Three men were sailing their 12 metre yacht "Eleanor Dawn" from Sydney to the Mid North Coast just before 8.00pm on Wednesday when they decided to make for Nelson Bay for an overnight stay.

However, the vessel struck rocks on the south east side of Fingal Island and quickly sank.

The trio aged 70, 63 and 62  took to the water wearing life jackets and set off an emergency beacon.

This prompted a coordinated response from Canberra.

Water Police, Marine Rescue and at least two rescue helicopters were sent to the scene.

The men spent 40 minutes in the water before they made it to shore on Fingal Island where they were collected by a RAAF Helicopter and flown to Williamtown RAAF Base.

They were assessed by paramedics but did not require treatment.

The yacht, built in 1983 was worth about $12,000.

Police say its not clear if the vessel will be salvaged.

It's believed the yacht may have been struck by a Bombora off Fingal Island.

Defence Backflips On Child-Care Promise

BY HOLLIE HUGHES

The Department of Defence is withdrawing funding from a Williamtown pre-school, recently relocated from the RAAF base to Raymond Terrace, despite its promise to continue support for the centre.

Child care centres on the RAAF base were closed in 2016 amid concerns of the impact of jet noise exposure on children.

Defence promised a new child care centre would be built at Medowie but has now advised families it will not be going ahead, telling them they have four months to make other arrangements.

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson says the decision will impact negatively on families who often have no other means of securing child care.

"I find the funding decision quite stunning and shocking."

The backflip will impact over 100 children and their families from both the Defence community and the wider public.

"The decision signals that the Defence are perhaps not doing all they could do in this area...They should be providing the child care that they said they would be providing.

"Given the extraordinary circumstances we find ourselves in with the Williamtown contamination from the RAAF base, it is highly disappointing that the Department of Defence has moved away from this support."

Ms Swanson also says the funding backflip has damaged the reputation of the Department in the eyes of the community.

"This is a disappointing move not just on a practical level but on the broader message this move sends to the community...We have a lot of people in our community who are in a lot of pain because of defence and it's a real shame that they have taken this measure."

Image: https://www.google.com.au/search?rlz=1C1GGRV_enAU751AU751&biw=1920&bih=943&tbm=isch&sa=1&ei=ifl0W_OMDce18QWOmJOgBA&q=williamtown+child+care+centre&oq=williamtown+child+care+&gs_l=img.1.0.0i24k1.1946.8016.0.9766.45.20.0.5.5.0.340.2715.0j2j7j2.11.0....0...1c.1.64.img..31.14.2205.0..0j35i39k1j0i67k1.0.rKJ3eT3LUzg#imgrc=-1DtdXMQU443uM: 

Port Stephens Labor Announces Rate Relief Commitment for Red Zone Residents

BY SARAH JAMES

The Port Stephens Labor Council have committed to providing rate relief to residents affected by contamination from the Williamtown RAAF Base, if elected.

Of the estimated 630 homes in the 'red zone', the owners have had to pay full Council rates for the past two years despite learning their land is contaminated.

Labor West Ward candidate Giacomo Arnott said "after two years of inaction, the affected residents deserve the support of their Council, and we will ensure that Council is providing this support".

At this stage it is unknown exactly how much the Council rates will be cut, but Fullerton Cove resident Lindsay Clout believes it should be by 100%.

"Defence have told us they have a forecast that this contamination will be in the water until at least 2036, so we don't think we should be paying rates while we're contaminated," he said.