Four Charged Over Alleged Hunter Valley Police Pursuit

BY OLIVIA DILLON

 

Four people will face court today after allegedly leading police on a pursuit through the Hunter yesterday.

At about 9:00am, Traffic and Highway Patrol officers detected a Toyota Hilux allegedly travelling at high speed on Broke Road at Pokolbin.

When the driver failed to stop, a pursuit was initiated through Wollombi, with road spikes successfully deployed at Paynes Crossing.

The vehicle stopped at a nearby property and the four occupants fled, before allegedly stealing a Nissan ute parked nearby and driving off.

Police deployed road spikes again a short time later, stopping the vehicle at Sweetmans Creek, where the occupants fled into bushland.

Following an extensive foot pursuit, a 37-year-old woman and three men were arrested and taken to Cessnock Police Station. 

They've been charged with a combined 43 offences, including using a weapon to avoid apprehension.

Hunter residents invited to SES flood forums

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter residents are being encouraged to attend a series of community flood forums, starting this Saturday.

It's a chance to hear from the State Emergency Service and provide feedback from the community on past and future flood responses.

The first local event is being hosted at Wollombi RFS Shed at 12:30pm on Sunday 23 October.

It'll visit Broke Community Hall at 12:30pm on Saturday 5 November, and Hinton School of Arts at 12:30pm on Sunday 6 November.

Pair airlifted to John Hunter after Fernances Crossing crash

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Two people have been airlifted to hospital after a single-vehicle crash at Fernances Crossing, south of Wollombi, on Monday evening.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to the scene around 7:10pm.

A 52-year-old man and 41-year-old woman were treated on the scene by paramedics and airlifted to the John Hunter in a stable condition.

Coal exploration licence ruled out at Wollombi

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A potential coal exploration licence at Wollombi has been ruled out.  

The Deputy Premier shot down the possibility, under questioning at Budget Estimates this morning.   

It's understood, Wollombi and Ganguddy-Kelgoola near Rylstone in the Central Tableands were both being considered by the State Government.  

Independent MP Justin Field says it's a great outcome for the regions and for the local environment. 

Image credit: visitwollombi.com.au

Tributes For Wollombi Motorcycle Crash Victim

BY IAN CROUCH

A motorcyclist who died in a crash at Wollombi at the weekend is being remembered as a devoted father and a beautiful soul.

David Bailey was riding along Great North Road on Saturday morning when he collided with a Kia sedan.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics, the 52-year-old died at the scene.

His sister Rona Bell says "Dave" was devoted to his wife and two daughters and a tower of strength, while a friend described him as a true, genuine and honesty family man and his death was a huge loss to the world. 

David Bailey was a devoted father of two girls Picture: Supplied

Moderate Flood Warning Issued for Wollombi Brook Area

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A moderate flood warning has been forecast for the Wollombi Brook area.

The flooding will impact the towns and surrounding areas of Broke, Bulga, Laguna, Millfield, Wollombi, Brickmans Bridge, Ellalong, and Paxton.

The Wollombi Brook at Bulga may peak near 3.70 metres around 7:00 pm on Tuesday with moderate flooding.

The Wollombi Brook at Wollombi is expected to remain below the minor flood level.

The Bureau says people in areas likely to be impacted by flooding in Low-lying areas of Wollombi Brook Area should prepare for potential isolation and possible evacuation.

People in areas likely to be impacted by flooding should consider:

• Refraining from driving or walking through flood water   
• Road closures and flood isolation may impact on work, family and educational commitments
•  Monitoring emergency warnings and severe weather updates on NSW SES Hunter Facebook Page and Bureau of Meteorology website   
• If your property is at risk of inundation, please raise moveable items, such as furniture, as high as possible onto benches or tables, placing electrical items on top 
• If you are advised by an emergency services officer to evacuate, please do so  
• Securing outside belongings and before leaving; turn off the power, water and take essential medicines and clothes with you 
• Farmers should move machinery, livestock, pumps and fodder to flood free ground  

What to do with Wollombi Public?

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

The future of the Wollombi Public School premises remains uncertain, as Cessnock Councillor Paul Dunn lobbies to keep ownership of the property in local hands.

The state-owned school was shut down in late 2014 due to insufficient student numbers and is currently being curated by the Wollombi School Community Trust to facilitate community events such as art exhibits, markets and preschool services.

"As far as the Wollombi Community Trust goes, they've stated that in the last 12 months they've had over 300 uses of that land for the local community," Cr Dunn explains.

However, it is unknown whether the state government intends to retain the school property for these community uses or sell it off to a private buyer.

"The community deserve to have that facility kept in their hands," Cr Dunn continues,"If it does go into private ownership, there's no state and federal heritage listings, so there's no guarantee of the structure of the buildings remaining the same.

"I personally would love to see it stay in community hands, but unfortunately Cessnock Council isn't in a position to have the money to do anything for it."

Possible solutions envisioned by Cr Dunn include a 'peppercorn' lease- where land is rented at a minimal amount- between the state government and Council, or a donation of the land from the state government to allow Council to set up a sub-committee to run the Wollombi facilities.

"As long as there's no essential on-going costs folded back to the Council, we are more than happy to run with anything the state government are willing to offer us."

Cessnock Councillor, Paul Dunn.