$3 Million Boost for Regional Football Clubs

 BY SAMUEL BARTLETT

Hunter football clubs have received a share of almost $3 million from the NSW government’s Regional Sports Facility Fund. 

The NSW government committed $50 million to fund regional clubs over two years, helping create spaces and facilities that enable communities to enjoy and take part in sport. 

The state government allocated $25 million to round one for 2020-21, with eight projects associated with Northern NSW Football clubs successful in applications totaling $2,897,553. 

Football clubs in the Hunter Valley, Macquarie and Newcastle zones have been some of the successful applicants to upgrade fields, lighting and changerooms.

Northern NSW Football CEO David Eland says the successful applications reaffirmed their commitment to advocate for regional clubs

He says, “in a number of cases our Community Football team here at Northern NSW Football identified club projects that aligned with various local infrastructure strategies and provided support and access to our consultants to assist our applicants,”

“These types of successful facility projects will help increase participation and accessibility and facilitate quality football experiences in a safe and welcoming environment.” 

Port Stephens Council received $840,000 and $260,000 for upgrades to the King Park Regional Sport Complex and Tomaree Regional Sport Complex respectively.

David Eland says, "there's a huge need for investment, our audit and strategy identifies that there's up to $300 million worth of investment required in facilities, but $3 million is a great start,"

Dudley Redhead United have received $271,000 to install new lights down at Myalls oval which is great news and I know that they've been trying for years to get their second field under lights,"

"Its going to increase that clubs capacity enormously," he says.

Northern NSW Football enlisted the help of consultants to make sure club submissions for grants were the best they could possibly be and Mr Eland says they'll continue to support clubs whenever they can.

"The football community can be assured that every time there is money available, Northern NSW Football will be working with them to apply for it," he said.

80 Contractor Jobs to be Dropped from Ravensworth Mine

BY KAYNE STEPHENS

Up to 80 workers will be cut from a Yancoal and Glencore joint venture mine site near Singleton next year.

The Hunter Valley Operations mine at Ravensworth will drop around 80 contractors from its mining, coal preparation, and maintenance departments.

Hunter Valley Operations is a 51:49% joint-venture between Yancoal and Glencore.

A spokesman for Hunter Valley Operations says it will keep all of its permanent staff, but is reducing its coal processing requirements as "a result of ongoing economic and energy demand impacts arising from the COVID-19 pandemic".

The company says the revised production plan has meant some contracting roles won't be required when the changes take effect from January 2021.

The mine site near Singleton will lose around 80 contractors following changes to its production plans. Image: Yancoal

'Bust the Dust' Campaign Hits Hunter Mines

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) is again targeting mines causing excessive dust in the Hunter with the second year of the ‘Bust the Dust’ spring campaign starting this week.

EPA Director Regulatory Operations Adam Gilligan said “Bust the Dust” last year had been a success with most mines adjusting their operational activities on high risk, windy days and further improvement was expected this year.

“EPA officers will be using the latest technology, including drones, to monitor mines and to ensure dust is minimised,” Mr Gilligan said.

“Dust from mining activity in the Hunter Valley is a key concern for the community. The EPA expects all coal mines to be vigilant, to take extra precautions and to have systems in place to control dust from their operations, to ensure better air quality for the community.”

Mr Gilligan said EPA officers determine the risk of dust every day and will be frequently checking mining operations with the expectation that best practice dust controls are implemented, including shut down of operations if necessary.

“Mines are on notice, the EPA and community expect mine operators to reduce dust and any mines that don’t will face significant penalties,” Mr Gilligan said.

Community members can report concerns regarding dust risk directly to the mine or to EPA on 131 555.

Image Credit: Lock the Gate Alliance

Two Hunter Men Arrested As Part of Investigations Into Major Methamphetamine Supply Chain

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Three men have been charged in relation to a major drug manufacturing and supply chain operating throughout Hunter Valley, New England and Coffs Coast regions. 

As part of investigations by Strike Force Delisle, established in May 2020, police executed a search warrant at a home at Murrurundi, where they located an inactive clandestine lab.

Following inquiries, about 5pm on August 15, a 42-year-old Aberdeen man was arrested at Muswellbrook Police Station.

He was charged with manufacture a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs and faced Newcastle Local Court on August 16,  where he was refused bail to appear at Muswellbrook Local Court on October 19.

As part of investigations, Strike force detectives also stopped a white Nissan utility on Waterfall Way at Ebor about 5pm on August 14.

Police spoke with two men – aged 45 and 47 – before conducting a search of the vehicle, where they allegedly located methylamphetamine, ammunition and chemicals used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs.

The 45-year-old Murrurundi man was charged with manufacture a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs, while the 47-year-old Billys Creek man was charged with manufacture and supply a large commercial quantity of prohibited drugs.

Both men were refused bail appearing at at Armidale Local Court on August 24.

On August 20, strike force detectives executed a search warrant at two properties at Billys Creek.

During the searches, police located and seized glassware used in the manufacture of prohibited drugs, a kilogram of dried cannabis and approximately 10 litres of chemicals believed to be either prohibited drugs or precursors used in their manufacture.

The liquids have been sent for further forensic analysis.

Coffs/Clarence Police District Crime Manager, Detective Chief Inspector Guy Flaherty, said these arrests will disrupt the local supply network of methylamphetamine across several regions.

“We will be alleging this illegal activity not only affected the Coffs Coast area, their connections also stemmed into our Hunter Valley and New England regions.

“Through fantastic collaborative work and information sharing with our neighbouring police districts, we have been able to interrupt a cross-region drug network of both manufacture and supply.

“Strike Force Delisle remains ongoing with further investigation and arrests expected,” Det Ch Insp Flaherty said.

Man Crushed Inside Shipping Container, In Industrial Accident In Hunter Valley

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A man has been taken to hospital, after being crushed by metal plates during an industrial accident in the Hunter Valley

Rescue teams, and seven ambulance crews were called to the industrial estate off Rosedale Close at McDougalls Hill near Singleton at 6.30 on Tuesday morning.

The man in his mid-40's was believed to be working inside a shipping container, when three hundred kilograms of metal plates fell on top him, pinning him underneath.

"Rescue crews initially used a fork lift to support some of the load off his legs, and then used a quick cut saw to cut the side out of the shipping container to free his legs and extricate him from the container," NSW Ambulance said.

He was treated for crush injuries to his lower limbs, fracturing his leg.

He has since been transported to John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.

UPDATED! Man Missing From Scone Found Safe And Well

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

This just in from Police:


A man missing from the Hunter Valley has been located safe and well.

The 47-year-old man was last seen at his workplace in Scone on Saturday (1 June 2019).

About 6pm yesterday (Tuesday 4 June 2019), the man attended Kings Cross Police Station in Sydney following a widespread public appeal to locate him.

Police would like to thank the media and public for their assistance.

EARLIER:

Police are appeal the public's help to locate a man missing from the Hunter Valley.

47-year-old Matthew Warwick Brooker hasn't been seen since he left his workplace at Scone after feeling unwell on Saturday, May 4th.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 175cm tall with a medium build, brown hair and possibly a moustache and/or goatee beard.

Matthew is known to frequent parts of Sydney and could be driving a 2013 white Volkswagen Up! with NSW registration CMH 15F.

There are concerns for Mr Brooker’s welfare as his family says the disappearance is out of character.

Matthew Warwick Brooker hasn't been seen since May 4. Image: NSW Police

A car similar to the one Mr Brooker may be travelling in. Image: NSW Police

Lock The Gate Slams Department of Planning For Recommending New Coal Mine

BY JARROD MELMETH

The NSW Department of Planning has recommended a new coal mine in the Hunter Valley, on the same day a report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned of dangerous climate change impacts if coal mining continues to increase.

The report warns if warming was allowed to reach 2C, the world would risk hitting "tipping points", setting a course towards uncontrollable temperatures.

Carmel Flint from Lock the Gate said the recommendation to proceed shows the NSW Government is completely missing in action.

“Not only will this mine put the climate at risk, but new research shows it will take South Korean mining giant KEPCO one step closer to destroying a magnificent valley with state significant heritage values.

“The Department of Planning and Environment has cherry-picked the expert heritage information and moved only to amend the mine plan slightly when it’s clear the mine should have been rejected outright.

“Equally worrying is that there is no new information on Aboriginal cultural heritage impacts provided by the department, even though the Independent Planning Commission previously stated that further investigation was needed.  

“This mine will only proceed with the backing of the NSW Government, who at every step has allowed it to progress through the planning process despite the obvious and unacceptable risks it poses to farmland, water, and heritage.


“We’re calling on the NSW Premier to come and meet local landholders and visit the site as a matter of urgency and then to take firm action to end this dangerous mining proposal," Ms. Flint said.

Flood Mitigation Grants Up For Grabs

BY MATT JOHNSTON.

Hunter councils are being urged to apply for grants under the state government's 2018 Floodplain Management Program.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, said just because it's dry at the moment, doesn't mean we should be complacent.

The 2018 Floodplain Management Program is accepting submissions until April 27th to install flood-safety measures or buy back at-risk properties.

The program doubles investments put towards flood studies, risk management studies, and works such as levees and floodgates.

Scot MacDonald says it would be a wise investment from councils affected by floods to look into the program.

Last year nearly $9-million-dollars in grants were awarded to fund flood mitigation studies and structural works across the state under the program.

Man Dies at Hunter Valley Coal Mine

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A contractor has tragically died at a coal mine in the Hunter Valley.

Police have confirmed the 39-year-old who was employed as a dump truck driver at the Glendell Coal Mine in Ravensworth, was found in his truck shortly after 1pm yesterday.

He died of a massive heart attack while behind the wheel of the "wobbly" articulated truck.

The coal mine's emergency response team rushed to the man's aid and attempted to resusitate him for some time until an ambulance from Singleton arrived.

Paramedics spent 10 minutes on the 39-year-old but he couldn't be resusitated.

CFMEU District President Peter Jordan said the man was undertaking top soil work in an isolated part of the mine which is being rehabilitated.

The company he was contracted by was a small Singleton company caleed NJR Excavations.

Lucky Lotto Winner

BY TYLER FARDELL


A young man from Clarence Town in the Hunter Valley was in for the shock of his life when he discovered he had won first prize in the latest Lucky Lotteries Super Jackpot draw.

On Friday afternoon, the man who wishes to remain anonymous was left speechless after winning the $100,000 prize.

The ticket was purchased at the Clarence Town IGA, where the staff were joyous with the news.

"It's very exciting", said staff member Bernadette Gehrig. "I think this might be our first Lucky Lotteries first prize but hopefully some more to come for our customers".

The lucky winner celebrated the win with his family over the weekend and already has some ideas about what to do with the money.

"I'd like to buy a new car first", he exclaimed.

Battling the Bulge and Blood Sugar

BY MATT JOHNSTON

Dr Claire Morbey, an endocrinologist with the Hunter Diabetes Centre, says Newcastle and the Hunter is a "hot-bed" for obesity and diabetes. Across the nation, 280 people are diagnosed with the disease every day.

Juggling healthy eating and a tight tummy can be a struggle at the best of times, but difficulties with blood sugar can make maintaining a slim waist almost impossible.

Dr Morbey says the new drug being trialled in the Hunter and internationally looks promising for its ability to manage insulin levels and also promote weight loss. She says it's a new treatment for people with type 2 diabetes that she hopes "will help with diabetes control, but also assist with weight loss".

"People with diabetes do find it incredibly difficult to manage the combination of looking after their blood glucose levels but also trying to lose weight, so any new medication that we can help develop, that can provide almost like a double-whammy with those two things would be fantastic."

The 6-month study involves meeting with Dr Morbey and her research team on a regular basis to monitor how the trial drug interacts with blood sugar levels, the waistline, and "various other medical parameters" to ensure the drug is effective.

 Anybody with type 2 diabetes between the ages of 18 and 65 can apply to the study, so long as they aren't already on an insulin."They can be on any other diabetes medication", and must have a BMI of 30 or more.

For more information, contact the Hunter Diabetes Centre.

http://www.hunterdiabetescentre.com.au/clinical-trials/type-2-obesity-weightloss/

Hunter Renters Spared Price Hikes

By MATT JOHNSTON

Figures from Housing NSW show the Hunter lags behind the rest of the state in rent increases. Since the start of 2015, rent has risen across the state at an average of 15%. While Sydney saw the greatest increase at 40%, the Hunter only saw a rise of 5%.

The cause of the sluggish growth is being put down to the number of investors providing rental properties in the region. According to Wayne Stewart from Century 21, a "steady supply of new stock to the market, which has kept rising rents to a minimum".

 Wayne says this is because "Newcastle has been the focus of investment for probably the last three years". As a result, new rental properties are coming onto the market every week, meaning supply more than meets demand.

"There's more choice for tenants coming into the marketplace, and that should stay that way for a while because Newcastle and the Hunter are still very strong from an investment point of view."

While this has all been good news for renters, investors might be less thrilled. Rental property vacancy is at 4% across the Hunter, which is slightly above the 'normal' rate of 2-3%. Wayne says investors "should do your research on what are the areas with the lowest vacancy rates to make sure you've got some strong growth and consistency of rent in your investment property".

www.dynamicbusiness.com.au

Tragic Details of How a Man was Killed in East Branxton Garage

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Tragic details have emerged about how a man died in his garage at East Braxton overnight.

At about 9:30pm the man was taking his Kia 4WD out of the garage of his Harvest Court home.

Police say it appears he decided to roll the vehicle out instead of starting the engine so he wouldn't wake the family, but that's when he somehow got caught behind the vehicle while rolling it out.

Early investigations suggest he then struck his head on a brick wall.

His wife made the shocking discovery at about 11pm when she went to check on him.

Officers from Hunter Valley Local Area Command will prepare a report for the information of the Coroner.

Police Plan for Strike as Government Ignores Complaints

BY TYLER FARDELL


In a move which the local police force had been waiting for, the State Government announced plans for a re-engineering of the Hunter's police management.

They've proposed moving Maitland's upper police management across to Port Stephens and Cessnock's into the Hunter Valley.

However, the Government did not appoint any new police officers to the Hunter Valley, something which they've been calling for a long time.

In response to this, Police from the Hunter unanimously supported taking industrial action at a meeting on Thursday if they don't hear back from the Government within seven days.

This situation would be unprecedented in the Hunter, with around 600 police officers undertaking industrial action for an expected six weeks.

Actions could include officers not issuing infringement notices for traffic violations but instead warnings, and not policing large events and performing administrative tasks.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery praised the Police force for the planned strike but says it should have never come to this.

"It's ridiculous that the government has continually ignored this issue", she said.

"The Hunter is understaffed by at least 20 officers and resources are stretched. "I'm glad the police are taking this step so the government can't ignore this issue any further".

Welcome to the "new and improved" Wine Country

BY RACHEL STORER

Already one of the most popular wine regions in the country, the Hunter Valley is welcoming developments from local council and federal government that will help increase tourism and exports.

The multi-million dollar upgrade to Broke Road and Hermitage Road was unveiled yesterday after 12-months of construction and includes improvements to the road surfaces, a tourist information bay and a 10.6 kilometre cycleway.

The joint venture between Cessnock and Singleton Councils was funded by a successful bid for $16.7 million from the NSW Government "Resources for Regions" program.

The wine region is also welcoming a share in the Australian Government's $50 million Export and Regional Wine Support Package.

The funding will be spread throughout regional wine areas and aims to increase wine exports and international tourism.

Among the program $3 million grants will be made available to smaller wineries looking to branch into the export market while other funding will also be given to develop regional wine tourism and cellar door experiences.

Cessnock City Mayor, Bob Pynsent believes the Hunter is well deserving of new infrastructure and funding.

"Improving the roads in the vineyards precinct is so important to the amenities for tourists and the inclusion of a cycleway certainly gives diversity to the activities tourists can do," he said.

Cr Pynsent said Cessnock City Council is committed to doubling the overnight accommodation numbers by the year 2020 and believes all these initiatives work together to assist in attracting tourists to our area.

(L-R) Hunter MP Joel Fitzgibbon, Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnson, Singleton Mayor Sue Moore and Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent test out the new cycleway. (Image: Cessnock Advertiser)

Man the victim of a terrifying attack by a man he met online

BY JESSICA ROUSE

UPDATE:

A man accused of shooting another man with a bolt gun at in the Hunter Valley is due to face court again today after being refused bail in Singleton Court.

Stephen Orr allegedly shot the 67-year-old at a home at Paynes Crossing on Sunday, leaving the alleged victim with two fractured vertebrae.

Police say the pair went to a licensed premises at Pokolbin earlier in the day after meeting online.

EARLIER:

A man has been the victim of a terrifying attack in Pokolbin from a man he met online.

Police say, two men - a 55 and 67-year-old - caught up at a pub on Broke Road yesterday afternoon after meeting online.

From there the two men went to a home on Wollombi Road where it's alleged the older man assaulted the 55-year-old with a bolt gun and also threatened him with a firearm.

A physical altercation erupted between the pair before the older man managed to flee and stop a passing motorist.

The motorists took him to Cessnock Hospital and he's since been transferred to John Hunter Hospital with two fractured vertebrae and a laceration to his neck.

While the man nurses his injuries, police commenced investigations which led them to a house on Casey Drive in Singleton where they arrested the 55-year-old.

He was taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with cause grevious bodily harm with intent.

He was refused bail and faces Singelton Local Court today.

One of Australia's richest men getting transport ideas off the ground in the Hunter Valley

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It's been a plan in the making for some time, but hotel magnate Jerry Schwartz is finally getting his plans off the ground for a sea plane service in the Hunter.

The new sea plan service Blue Sky Airways is set to launch in August and will see a sea plane operate between Sydney Harbour to Newcastle harbour and out to Cessnock airport. An amphibious float fitted to the plan will allow it to land on both water and land.

Not only is he establishing the sea plane service, but in the next couple of weeks a shuttle bus service will start up between Newcastle airport and the CBD and out to the Hunter Valley.

Jerry Schwartz Image hotelmanagement.com.au

"Newcastle has its own airport but there's the same problem of getting from Newcastle airport to Newcastle city which is about a 35-minute drive and to the Hunter region so in the next week or so we will be starting a regular bus service that goes at the same time every day and connects these three centres," said Jerry Schwartz.

Jerry is one of the richest men in Australia and says there was a definite gap in the market for quicker and easier travel between Sydney and the Hunter, and he's filling it.

"The only way you can get there (Hunter Valley) is by car and that takes you about two and a half hours each way, so for the larger conferences we have we find that it's a definite impendence that distance and the ability to get there, so this is our first opportunity to connect the centres by air."

He adds his two transport ideas are something government should have looked into, and since they haven't he's decided to take the opportunity.

"One would've hoped the government would've done that most basically by having a train service to the Hunter, but there's no train service to the Hunter, you can't even catch the train to Newcastle, then the question is how do you get from the train station to your hotel in the Hunter? That's the big gap that I hope I'm able to fulfil by having a regular bus service," said Jerry.

Cessnock Council on board with freight rail corridor

BY DANIELLE RIES and JESSICA ROUSE

Released earlier this month, a report from Infrastructure Australia revealed the Hunter Valley freight rail corridor is one of seven corridors in Australia which should be protected.

Cessnock City Council has welcomed and supported the finding that protecting the corridor for the future will benefit the community long term.

Mayor Bob Pynsent believes it to be vital to the future of the Hunter from both an economic and connectivity perspective and would particularly like to see progress on the Lower Hunter Freight Corridor.

Mayor Bob Pynsent Image cessnockadvertiser.com.au

"The opportunity to grow transport for infrastructure links right across the Lower Hunter and as I said as our population grows we need those infrastructure projects to enable the connectivity between the regions."

Transport NSW has undertaken preliminary investigations into the Lower Hunter Freight Corridor and have identified a number of key benefits including improving congestion and urban amenity in Newcastle.

"As our local government area grows, the demand for train connection with Newcastle becomes imperative and preservation of the corridor will certainly assist in that," said Mayor Bob Pynsent.

Former billionaire pays back his debts

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Bankrupt former billionaire Nathan Tinkler has finally repaid his debt to retail king Gerry Harvey.

The last $5.5 million of a $60 million loan have been paid back after liquidators announced the sale of Nathan Tinkler's former horse stud headquarters in the Hunter Valley.

The former billionaire had spent more than $26 million buying and developing the property which in the end was carved up into three lots and sold for an undisclosed sum.

Gerry Harvey told Fairfax Nathan thinks he can make it back, but hope is wonderful thing and in reality many in his situation can never make that comeback.

Nathan Tinkler Image wikipedia.com

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.