Hunter Residents To Receive Support on Energy And Water Bills

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The first virtual Bring Your Bills day and community expo is being held next Wednesday the 20th of May, to provide Hunter residents with support on their energy and water bills during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW (EWON) is partnering with Hunter Water and Kurri Kurri Community Services to deliver the program, connecting people by phone and/or video with agencies and community support services.

Hunter Water’s Account Assistance team will be available for confidential phone and video appointments to discuss individual accounts and provide advice about payment options.

“We recognise this is a very challenging time for some of our customers and we want to do what we can to support them and alleviate any bill stress they may be experiencing,” said Executive Manager Customer Strategy and Retail, Victor Prasad.

“Hunter Water recently launched ‘We’re all in this together’ campaign to raise awareness of the range of assistance measures we have available. This includes extensions on accounts to give customers more time to pay their bills and interest free payment relief, as well as support for tenants to offset their water usage costs.”

Energy & Water Ombudsman NSW, Janine Young said the virtual Bring Your Bills day is timely because customers will be starting to receive their first energy bills since the COVID19 lock down started.

“Vulnerable customers were struggling to pay their energy bills well before the pandemic.
Now more people may experience affordability issues as household incomes fall and energy use increases, with families working and schooling from home as winter sets in,” Ms Young explained.

In addition to providing support with energy and water bills, there will be agencies available to provide assistance with legal matters, phone and internet bills, and council rates, as well as counselling services.

The event will be held on Wednesday 27 May between 9am and 3pm. Appointments can be made by calling Kurri Kurri Community Services on 02 4937 4555.

Image Credit: Hunter Water

Caravan and Boat Destroyed In Fires At Kurri Kurri and Singleton

BY IAN CROUCH

Police are treating a fire which destroyed a caravan at Kurri Kurri early Monday morning as suspicious.

Fire crews arrived in Brooks Street just after 2 o'clock to find the caravan, which was parked on the street, engulfed in flames.

There were concerns about a couple of gas cylinders, but firefighters managed to extinguish the blaze without further incident.

Meanwhile, a boat stored in a shed at Singleton went up in flames late yesterday.

Crews were called to George Street just before 5.30pm on Sunday to find both well alight.

The shed was attached to a home which suffered smoke damage.

Police closed the New England Highway while crews battled the flames, which took about 2 hours to extinguish.

BREAKING! Wanted Man Arrested after Terrifying Pursuit in the Hunter

BY JESSICA ROUSE and LAUREN FREEMANTLE

UPDATE

Police have a wanted man in custody after a lengthy pursuit in the Hunter this morning.

Officers allegedly started to chase a 22-year-old man, who was driving a Mitsubishi Sedan on the Hunter Expressway near Heddon Greta after receiving word of his whereabouts just after 10am and pursued him west, before turning around and heading east on the wrong side of the road.

He stopped and a police car pulled up behind him and before taking off again he allegedly rammed the police car, a Ford Falcon Sedan, which caused the airbags to deploy leaving the two police officers inside with minor injuries. The police car was written off.

The chase continued on the M1 Pacific Motorway to Freemans Waterhole. It's also believed at this point there was a female passenger in the wanted man's car and she jumped out.

The 22-year-old kept going and then stopped again, carjacking another vehicle. The driver of the hijacked car, which is believed to be an Audi, jumped out and is uninjured.

Not long later, police managed to arrest him when he stopped for a third time near Sparks Road and he's been taken into custody.

Investigations are continuing.

EARLIER 11am:

A man is in custody after a police pursuit across the Hunter this morning.

A car was pursued by police first on Newcastle Link Road at Edgeworth, and then onto the Hunter Expressway near Singleton.

The vehicle has now been stopped by police, and investigations are continuing.

Paul from Cessnock was on the road at the time and told 2NURFM News all he could do was quickly move out of the way and hope for the best.

"I moved over quickly to keep right away from him and he just went flying past. It was just awful, very awful. One was very powerless."

EARLIER:

There have been reports of a car driving on the wrong side of the Hunter Expressway - heading towards Singleton in the southbound lane driving north.

Witnesses say they saw the car driving erratically near the Kurri Kurri exit before police attended the scene.

We'll have more details as they come to hand.

Kurri Kurri Drive-By Shooting Thought to Be Bikie Gang Related

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police have charged a man with firearm offenses for an alleged drive-by shooting in Kurri Kurri earlier this year.

Projectiles were fired into a vehicle and a dwelling in Greta Street at about 1:50am on October 15 - a mother and three children were reportedly asleep in the home at the time. 

Police from the Central Hunter Local Area Command found a partially burnt out Mitsubishi Magna not far from the incident on the same night.

Following extensive inquiries police arrested a 21-year-old man at Tuggerah yesterday and charged him over the incident.

He was charged with fire firearm at dwelling and fire firearm at other than dwelling disregarding safety.

Police believe the incident may have been bikie gang related (OMCG). The man is believed to be a nominee for the Finks.

The 21-year-old will appear at Wyong Local Court today.


EARLIER

Drive-By Shooting At Kurri Kurri

Man Suffers Head Injuries after Car Rolls Several Times

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man has suffered serious head injuries after his car rolled several times in Kurri Kurri overnight.

Police say at about 10:30 the Holden Rodeo Utility carrying three people was travelling south on Heddon Street when it turned right at the intersection of McLeod Road and lost control, rolling a number of times.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to the scene and flew a 21-year-old passenger to the John Hunter Hospital where he remains in a serious condition. He was unconscious at the time after the accident.

Another 21-year-old and a 19-year-old were also taken to the John Hunter Hosptial with minor injuries.

Wild Weather Leaves Kurri Kurri Looking Like a War Zone

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It could be days before Kurri Kurri gets back on its feet after a ferocious storm ripped through the area yesterday afternoon.

Cyclonic conditions hit the town at about 2pm, with it came winds of up to 100 kilomtres per hour that ripped roofs off buildings, brought trees down on cars and cut power to thousands of homes.

Image MJF Productions.

Emergency services were run off their feet with the Kurri Kurri Community Centre evacuated after the building partially collapsed, and the Ambulance Practice hall became one of the worst hit with the roof completely ripped off.

Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent said the storm was short but severe.

"I was in the area yesterday when it happened and it is like a war zone,"

"The plan today is that the SES, the police and council have a meeting this morning and from there we will work out a way forward, particularly around the safety aspect of the buildings that lost their roofs," said Mayor Bob Pynsent.

Today Kurri Kurri Public School is closed due to damage, as will the library until it is given the all clear. The OOSh which runs out of the Ambulance Hall will relocate if a suitable venue can be found.



"We will get a full assessment today with the meeting between SES, the police and council and we will then be putting forward an emergency funding plan from the government," said Mayor Bob Pynsent.

Rachael Squires from the SES says crews are still dealing with dozens of calls for assistance.

"In total, we had over 175 calls for assistance. Last night we had 20 crews on the ground from across our region, we also had assistance from a number of crews from Fire and Rescue and so we managed to be able to complete around 90 of those jobs so we'll still be working on the ground today."

Ausgrid is still working to restore power to 1300 homes around Kurri Kurri, Abermain, Weston Sawyers Gully and Loxford.

"Everyone needs to remain safe because we still have around 1300 people without power so it's going to be a tough day again today," said Mayor Bob Pynsent.

Kurri Kurri Communuity Centre Image MJF Productions.

Image MJF Productions.

UPDATE 3:20pm Huge thunderstorm pummels through the Hunter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

UPDATE 3:22pm

Two people have been taken to the Maitland Hospital after being hurt during the storm.

Emergency services were called the Kurri Kurri Community Centre at 2:07pm.

They suffered minor injuries believed to be storm related.

The State Emergency Service is advising people to move cars under or away from trees, secure loose items around your house, stay away from fallen power lines or objects, report any fallen power lines to Ausgrid on 131 388, unplug computers or appliances, avoid using your phone during the storm and try to stay indoors.

EARLIER 2:30pm

There are reports of significant damage in the Kurri Kurri business district as a huge thunderstorm moves through the area.

The Kurri Kurri Community Centre in Lang Street has been evacuated after suffering storm damage this afternoon.

The damage is yet to be fully assessed and so it will be closed until further notice. There are reports the roof has been torn off the centre and exposed bricks have fallen onto the road.

Glen works next door to the library and says emergency services are checking that everyone got out alright.

"Community Centre library has lost its roof completely by the look of things its taken some of the facade down with it. There's bricks all on the road, tin across the road. At the moment we've got ambulance, fire, police, the streets are blocked off, we've got wires down, trees down..."

RT: KURRI KURRI | UPDATE: All people accounted for after partial building collapse in Lang St. Exclusion zone in place & crews assessing da…

— Ian Krimmer (@IanKrimmer) November 6, 2017

Other buildings have also reportedly been damaged including the Ambulance Practice Hall in Lang Street.

The Kurri Kurri Aquatic Fitness Centre has been closed due to damage. Just what the damage there is isn't known at this stage.

Traffic lights are blacked out at Station Street at First Street in Weston, meanwhile, there's a fallen tree on Allandale Road and a damaged sign is affecting southbound traffic in East Maitland at Newcastle Street at High Street.

The Bureau of Meteorology issued a severe thunderstorm warning which was expected to hit Newcastle, Maitland, Raymond Terrace, Wallsend and Morpeth by 2:30pm and then Swansea, Dora Creek, Nords Wharf and Lake Macquarie by 3pm.

You should report fallen power lines to either Ausgrid on 131 388, or Endeavour Energy on 131 003 or Essential Energy on 132 080 as shown on your power bill.

In an emergency ring the SES on 132 500.

Drive-By Shooting At Kurri Kurri

BY IAN CROUCH

Projectiles have been fired into a home at Kurri Kurri where a mother and her three children were sleeping.

The woman was woken by a motorbike travelling up and down the street outside her Greta Street home at about 1.40am on Sunday and then heard a loud noise, finding holes in the front window, lounge room wall and kitchen window at the house.

Police stopped a black car in the street a short time later and arrested three people.

The vehicle and its three occupants were searched, with a quantity of ammunition located inside.

Police searched a 22-year-old man and allegedly located a firearm.

An 18-year-old female and the two 22-year-old males were arrested and conveyed to Maitland Police Station.

However, Inspector Glenn Blaine says the three people arrested were not involved in the alleged shooting incident.

"The people who were arrested outside the house were arrested for some firearm offences but were probably not the ones who were involved in the actual incident itself," he said.

Officers from Central Hunter Local Area Command established a crime scene at the home and located a motor vehicle with several holes in the driver’s door.

Police say the they are yet to confirm if the holes were from shots fired from a gun and they're appealing for information as investigations continue.

Heddon Greta Skip Bin Company Hit with Hefty Fine

BY JESSICA ROUSE

They've only been in operation for six months, but already a Heddon Greta skip bin company has been hit with a hefty fine for illegally dumping waste.

Needa Skip Bin was fined $15,000 for taking 12 loads of waste to a property in Keinbah near Kurri Kurri  - using it to fill depressions in the land.

The waste included bricks, masonry and concrete.

It was also found that they burnt timber and asbestos on the property.

The Environmental Protection Authority has also ordered the company to remove the waste from the property as well as pay the fine.

Firefighter charged over fire that ripped through Kurri Kurri

BY JESSICA ROUSE

UPDATE:

A firefighter accused of lighting bushfires around Cessnock during the January heatwave has been stood down by Fire and Rescue NSW.

Joshua Lambkin is charged with lighting three fires at Kurri Kurri, Loxford and Chinamamn's Hollow.

At the time the 28-year-old was an on-call firefighter at the Abermain fire station.

Lambkin has been granted conditional bail to face Cessnock Court on September 6.

His younger brother Craig has also been charged over the fires.

EARLIER:

Two men have now been charged over four bushfires which threatened homes in Kurri Kurri earlier this year.

Strike Force detectives have been investigating the fires which ripped through Chinamans Hollow, Hart Road at Loxford and McLeod Road at Kurri Kurri on 18th January, after fears the fires had been deliberately lit. The detectives were assisted by Crime Squad's Arson unit as well which helped lead to the arrests.

Image MJF Productions Facebook page

A 28-year-old man was arrested at his home in Weston on Monday (31 July 2017) and taken to Maitland Police Station where he was charged with four counts of intentionally causing a fire and concealing the indictable offence of another person.

He was granted conditional bail and will appear at Cessnock Local Court in September.

NSW Fire and Rescue also say the man has been suspended from his duties.

The other offender, a 27-year-old man was arrested yesterday and charged with three counts of intentionally causing a fire and refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local Court today.

Strike Force detectives say they are still continuing their inquiries into the cause of the January fires.

Image MJF Productions Facebook page

Aged Care break and enter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police have released a description of a man wanted for the attempted break and enters of an aged care centre in Kurri Kurri earlier this month.

Police are investigating a break and enter at the Lang Street facility on Saturday 10 June at about 11pm when a man broke into a 78-year-old woman's room demanding cash. The man allegedly assaulted her and stole a wallet containing cash and credit cards. She suffered bruising to her face.

A second break and enter was attempted a week later on Sunday 18 June at 11:30pm - a resident says she heard a chair move on her back verandah and reported a man was attempting to break into her room.

The man didn't gain entry and left before being seen.

Police believe the two incidences are linked.


The man is described as having dark hair and wearing shorts with two stripes down the sides and a jumper and has been seen with a dog.

UPDATED: Man turns up to a Hunter hospital nursing a gunshot wound

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A Kurri Kurri man turned up at Maitland Hospital late yesterday afternoon suffering a gunshot wound, and police are still trying to work out how he got it.

Just before 5pm, the man was dropped off at the hospital by his girlfriend nursing a single gunshot wound to his left hand.

Police searched a home in Kurri Kurri and have spoken to his father and the girlfriend, but the circumstances surrounding the incident are still not known.

The 22-year-old has now been released from the hospital.

Investigations are continuing and anyone with any information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Abermain Fire Station officially open for business

BY JESSICA ROUSE

After fires ripped through parts of Kurri Kurri, Abermain and Weston last summer, a new $1 million fire station has been officially opened in Abermain.

The new Abermain Fire Station was officially opened yesterday by Minister for Emergency Services Troy Grant and replaces the old station which was demolished. It features a two-engine truck bay, new firefighter and recovery training faculties, locker rooms, and improved storage capacity for protective and firefighting equipment.

This is the third Abermain Fire Station since Cessnock saw its first firefighters in 1909, and ever since has been a region to suffer at the hand of significant fires.

"It enables us to make sure our firefighters are trained up with the latest techniques to serve the community of Cessnock and they have been busy actually this station around the Christmas period with all the bush fires we were having around the Kurri area, so it's a very opportune time to reward the firefighters for all their hard work with a brand new facility," said Area Commander for Metropolitan North Fire and Rescue NSW Brett Davies.

Local residents will see the benefits with firefighters having access to better equipment and facilities, particularly after concerns firefighters didn't respond fast enough to the most recent fires.

"Sometimes it is perception - we actually had firefighters come on from Sydney up to the fires and had quite a large contingent of Fire and Rescue NSW resources as did the Rural Fire Service to fight the fires," said Brett Davies.

Minister Troy Grant said he was privileged to come back to an area where he was stationed in the 1990s and not only open the Abermain Fire Station, but also hand over the keys to a new fire tanker.

"In addition, I was very pleased to hand over the keys for a new fire tanker at the Cessnock fire station and the roll-out of this new technology and new equipment to our firefighters is making sure they have the greatest capability possible to keep us safe and build on the wonderful work they do throughout the community," said Troy Grant.

The $310,000 truck referred to as a 'Class 2' pumper has the latest equipment and technology to increase the capacity of Fire and Rescue NSW firefighters to deal with fire, accidents and other emergencies.

A move for the proposed Lower Hunter Hospital

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

While in Newcastle yesterday, Health Minister Brad Hazzard said he's open to looking at a proposal to relocate the planned Lower Hunter Hospital.

The proposal would see the site moved from Metford to Kurri Kurri and Cessnock Council has called on the government to consider the shift to an area of green space within the former Hydro Aluminium site believing it would better serve the Hunter Valley.

Brad Hazzard is happy to consider the idea, and as Health Minister only wants to the best outcome for patients.

"Certainly the advice I've had from the ministry and from the local health district is that they have already bought a new site and they think that site is a very good site but I am looking at the arguments both ways and discussing and challenging if you like, the bureaucracy there is, but I have heard that decision and I am looking at it."

But public funding needs to be spent wisely, and the minister says where the taxpayer's dollar goes is very important.

"It is always a case of being open to local communities and as the Minister for Health, I am. But I have to be sensible and make sure that taxpayers funds are used well. What the department and the ministry are advising me is that they're very happy with the site but certainly if there are other issues I'll look at it."

Health Minister Brad Hazzard

Alleged Kurri Kurri arsonist refused bail

BY JARROD MELMETH

Accused Kurri Kurri arsonist 26-year-old Craig Lambkin has been refused bail in Maitland Local Court today after telling police he threw a lit cigarette into nearby bushland during a total fire ban on Tuesday.

Mr Lambkin was arrested in his front yard following the incident on Tuesday and taken to Maitland police station where he was charged with intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread stemming from a blaze that burned behind the Kurri Kurri Aquatic Centre. 

Mr Lambkin was refused bail by Magistrate John Chicken until March. 

Photo source: The Maitland Mercury

Kurri Kurri fire downgraded to ADVICE level

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A bush fire is continuing to burn in Kurri Kurri near Lang and Mulbring Streets and has now been downgraded to ADVICE level.

Firefighters from the Rural Fire Service, Fire and Rescue NSW and multiple water bombing aircraft are at the scene working to contain the blaze.

The fire has burnt through 33 hectares of land and was threatening properties in the area, but at this stage there aren't any reports of any property damage. 

Conditions have significantly eased and crews are hoping to get on top of the blaze before a southerly change moves through later today.

Police have issued a statement confirming a 30 year old man has been arrested and is assisting police at Maitland police station in relation to the fire.

Meanwhile the fire out in Camberwell near Singleton is now being controlled and is at ADVICE level.

For the latest updates and information go to the Rural Fire Service website: http://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/

Possible closure of Weston Fire Station

BY JESSICA ROUSE

There are strong concerns the fire station at Weston, near Cessnock, could close with the state government reportedly planning to join the station with Abermain.

The Abermain fire station is less than four kilometres down the road from the Weston fire station, but both have proven to be vitally important in recent bush fire emergencies in the area.

With ferocious fire ripping through Kurri Kurri and Heddon Greta this week residents, firefighters, and local politicians alike, are expressing their concern of the potentially dangerous move.

Cessnock MP Clayton Barr is particularly concerned the state government is making cuts to resources the community need, and would suffer to be without.

"As recently as this week, we've seen those incredible fires throughout that area and we saw them less than two weeks ago and then less than two months ago again. It is just absurd that these cuts would be taking place in a place surrounded by bushland like Cessnock and Kurri and Abermain, and more broadly across the Hunter."

There has reportedly been little to no consultation with the community, let alone with fire fighters in the area.

"Mike Baird has announced his retirement, but the policies of Mike Baird live on and the minister who is enacting the policies of Mike Baird. or his government, which is to cut $22 million out of fire and rescue NSW staffing and fire stations."

Fires Blaze In The Hunter

BY: ARIANA GATTI

Residents around the Cessnock, Kurri Kurri and Hunter areas are relieved the torrential fires from yesterday have seized.

With temperatures dropping and the possible chances of rain, bushland around the Hunter can take a break.

No reports have come through on houses being lost or damaged, although, other remnants such as sheds and open properties have been burnt or destroyed by the blaze.

At least 26 fire crews tackled the ongoing fires, with some extensive help from helicopters and other aircraft flying over, dropping water to extinguish the blaze.

Police undertook investigations today in order to figure out how these fires began and if one or more arsonists were invloved in purposely lighting the fire.

Investigations are still ongoing.

Mayor of Cessnock, Bob Pynsent says, "It was a very frightening experience for a lot of people in our local area."

"We are so happy that there's been minimal damage to surrounding properties and a big thank you to all the emergency services who worked so hard to protect our community", he says.

[Image sourced: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/evacuation-warnings-issued-as-multiple-fires-in-kurri-kurri-region-burn-out-of-control/news-story/6a4d33eb7de6ac83d5d11a0aaea8815a]

Kurri Kurri looks to tourism

BY TYLER FARDELL

Kurri Kurri residents and business owners will be hoping the new free camp site aimed at tourists travelling through the Hunter Valley, will bring money into the local economy and revitalise the town.

Many of the businesses in town have been struggling since the construction of the Hunter Expressway and the mining downturn, and many local's are hoping passing tourists will stop for a night and spend money.

Cessnock Councillor and Kurri Kurri business chamber member Rod Doherty in confident the free camp site on Allworth Street, which opened last month, will attract a lot of passing tourists.

Mr Doherty says the new camp site is particularly focused on people travelling with caravans or motor-homes.

"We hope tourists will stay the night, load up on fuel, stop for coffee and see the murals."

Also in the works is a revamp of the Kurri Kurri CBD, which would further improve the town's image to visitors.

"The council has just consulted some contractors to do the design work for the CBD. We need Kurri Kurri to be more attractive than it currently is."

Pedestrian Safety Improvement on the way for Kurri Kurri

BY GARY-JON LYSAGHT

Pedestrians crossing Lang Street at Kurri Kurri will soon have safer services, with the state government announcing a new pedestrian refuge will be installed.

Scot MacDonald

The refuge, between Mitchell Avenue and Merthyr Street, will cost a grand total of $200,000 and will give elderly people and those with prams better access to crossing the road.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald says the government decided to install the refuge “to give a little bit more safety”.

“Lang Street is a much busier road these days, according to the locals,” he said.

“Most of that is put down to the Hunter Expressway and all the changes that have followed from there.

“The pedestrians are really feeling the pressure a little bit.”

The government is also calling on residents to have their say on the refuge, with more information and contact information available on the Roads and Maritime Services website.

One major change that will come from the refuge will be the removal of on-street parking.

Up to four spaces will be removed, as the government looks to ensure people have adequate access to the crossing, as well as sufficient sight lines.

Scot MacDonald says it’s a small price to pay for pedestrian safety.

“Pedestrian safety, versus probably the removal of three or four parking spaces,” he said.

“I think we’ve got to come down on the side of making it safer for people getting across the road.

“A little bit of inconvenience is a reasonable price to pay.”