The Tap Water in Maitland Has Turned a bit... Brown.

BY JESSICA ROUSE

If you've turned your tap on in some parts of the Hunter after a fresh glass of water over the last few days and been left disappointed getting a dirty glass instead - you're not alone.

Hunter Water has confirmed they've been receiving calls from residents in the wider Maitland area including Rutherford, Telarah, Gillieston Heights and Greta who have discoloured tap water.

The extreme heat we've been experiencing is being blamed for the discolouration. Hunter Water says the heat has put a high demand on the utility's system in recent days and as a result of the increased water flow natural sediment from the bottom of the pipes has dislodged, changing the appearance of the water.

"Hunter Water apologises to customers who might be experiencing an issue with discoloured water in the wider Maitland area over the last couple of days. Discoloured water is usually an aesthetic, rather than a health issue but people should avoid drinking the water if it is discoloured," said Kieran Smith from Hunter Water.

While the colour may be off-putting, it isn't a huge health concern.

"It's usually only a very temporary problem but to help customers, can first try clearing the water by turning the tap on for a full few minutes to flush their plumbing but if the water remains discoloured its best to ring our 24-hour emergency line on 1300 657 000 so we can send a technician to flush the mains in the street," said Kieran Smith.

Robert Todd Beefy on Facebook "Anyone having dirty
cold water through their taps?"

Hunter police officer should've known better

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A Hunter police officer, who maybe should've known better, will face court next month on alleged drink driving charges.

The offence allegedly occurred at about 4:15 yesterday afternoon.

The female senior constable, who is attached to a specialist command within the Northern Region, has been handed a Field Court Attendance Notice for allegedly refusing a roadside breath test, stating false details, and driving while suspended.

She's been suspended without pay and will face Singleton Local Court on September 14.

Man charged after Armed Robbery

BY TYLER FARDELL

A 30 year-old man has been charged with attempted robbery while armed after an incident in the Hunter on Wednesday night.

It's alleged the man went into a service station at Greta where he then threatened the staff with a knife and demanded cash.

The man then fled empty-handed after an altercation with a male staff member.

Following inquiries, yesterday afternoon, the man attended Maitland Police Station and was arrested.

He has been granted conditional bail to appear at Singleton Local Court on Thursday the 17th of August.

Attempted armed robbery at Greta

BY JESSICA ROUSE

While a man heads to Singleton Local Court today for an alleged armed robbery in Muswellbrook, police are investigating another alleged armed robbery in Greta.

At about 8:30pm last night an unknown man entered a service station on High Street where, armed with a knife, he approached two employees and demanded money.

One of the employees approached the man and there was an altercation.

No one was injured and the man fled empty handed in a Holden utility.

A short time later the car was found abandoned on Water Street, Greta. Police searched the car finding a knife which is allegedly the same knife used during the incident. The knife and the car was seized and is undergoing forensic investigation.

Hunter Valley officers are calling for anyone with any information to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Hunter Jobs To Go At Pacific National

BY IAN CROUCH AND GARY-JON LYSAGHT

 The Rail Tram and Bus Union is accusing Pacific National of casualising it's Hunter workforce by stealth.

Pacific National Jobs On The Line

The rail company has confirmed dozens of full time coal train drivers are being made redundant, with 40 jobs to go in the Hunter at the company's Port Waratah and Greta depots, with more than 120 job cuts statewide.

The union has slammed the move saying the company is advertising for casual staff while cutting full time workers.

The company says the job cuts are necessary to cope with the peaks and troughs in demand for staff.

But RTBU Organiser Steve Wright says casual workers aren't experienced enough.

"Casuals are on ad hoc; they won't be driving trains every day," he said.

"Pacific National have also indicated that anyone that gets tapped on the shoulder, they'll be requested to come back as casuals.

"It's about casualisation of the workforce, I think, and it's really disappointing."

Steve Wright says it's too late for some workers to re-skill.

"There are people who are 30 to 40 years on the job that'll possibly lose their job," he said.

"They're the sort of people that are at the age where they can'y pick up another job.

"It'll be very distressing, especially around Christmas."

But for Wright, the layoffs don't come as much of a surprise.

"It's the third time in five years that we've been under the pump with redundancies from Pacific National around Christmas time," he said