It snowed on Barrington Tops!

BY IAN CROUCH

There's been a light dusting of snow on the Barrington Tops overnight as a cold front sweeps through the Hunter.

The best of the snowfall was around Pol Blue, however sight seers might want to think again as it appears to be short-lived, with the snow quickly turning to sleet.

The Hunter is expecting cold and wet conditions today with showers hanging around for the next week.

Image journaltimes.com

Batten down the hatches!

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It's about to get a whole lot colder in Newcastle but if you're in the Barrington Tops it's about to get freezing. 

Snow is predicted to fall on the Barrington Tops with an east coast low funnelling through the Hunter tonight bringing with it strong seas, cold wind and rain for most of the week.

Wind speeds will pick up tonight with cold temperatures, shower activity on the coastal fringe with some of the moisture landing on the high peaks of the Barrington Tops, big seas, and very cold wind chill factors which will combine to make the perfect conditions for snow on the high peaks.

"Well it looks like the east coast low will form, its going to hit us quite hard overnight and throughout tomorrow and then it looks like it's going to track north and its going to hug the northern NSW coast and that means we're going to be on the southern side of it and whenever you're on the southern side of a low that drives in those strong winds, the showers and the clouds," said NBN weather presenter Gavin Morris.

The first dusting of snow is being predicted for the Barrington Tops by tomorrow morning.

"Places along the coastal fringe exposed to those high wind areas, make sure you tie down everything including trampolines! Everybody forgets about them but they're usually the first to get lifted out of the backyard, check boats and moorings and all those sorts of things. Go and give them a check today to make sure they're all secure," said Gavin Morris.

Image journaltimes.com

Police Investigate Suspicious Barrington Tops Retreat Fire

BY IAN CROUCH

Police say a fire which caused half a million dollars worth of damage at a Barrington Tops retreat appears to have been deliberately lit.

Emergency services were called to Salisbury Lodges just before 2.30am Sunday arriving to find a storage shed, granny flat and three cars well alight.

However, the accommodation area wasn't involved in the fire and the owners say the retreat remains open.

Salisbury Lodges Picture: holidaysonline.com.au

DEVILARK falling short of crowdfunding target

BY JESSICA ROUSE

High in the Barrington Tops, not for profit organisation DevilArk are in a race against time to save the beloved Tasmanian Devil from extinction.

DevilArk's mission is to save the remaining 10% of devils from extinction after Devil Facial Tumour Disease wiped out 90% of the population.

The organisation launched a crowdfunding campaign in early December last year with a goal to raise $375, 000, but with only 10 days of the campaign remaining, they have only reached $159, 882 (as of Thursday 5th January).

General Manager Tim Faulkner says DevilArk relies on donations for the upkeep of the park with operations covered efficiently with the help of The Australian Reptile Park.

"Reptile Park itself has put $1.5 million towards the Tasmanian Devil; we don't ever get that back, that's a donation and we can't continue to do that and DevilArk is a not for profit and simply we have to raise funds to be able to expand our facility."

The campaign has been successful in raising awareness of the devil's plight and DevilArk's conservation work, but unfortunately isn't raising the funds.

Mr Faulkner says the crowdfunding campaign is unique - if the target isn't reached, DevilArk receives none of the pledged funds.

"We've got half that amount and $160, 000 is really significant, the catch is we don't get to $375, 000 we don't get the funds pledged, it all gets returned so with 12 [10] days to go we need community support, we need Australia's support for an iconic species to help us on our way."

DevilArk's campaign finishes 5pm on 14th January: https://pozible.com/project/help-save-the-tasmanian-devil