Campaign Launched to Stop New Coal Mines in Hunter Valley Wine Country

BY CHARLOTTE LLOYD

A new campaign has been launched by the Hunter Valley Protection Alliance in conjunction with local Hunter Valley Wine Country businesses to push back against new coal mining operations set to go ahead in the tourism region. 

#NoNewMinesInOurVines campaign while not directly against mining itself does oppose new mining exploitations in the Hunter Valley Wine Country that could have lasting effects for thriving wine, accommodation, cultural and environmental industries. 

The campaign has been launched in response to two Exploration Lease (EL) applications located between the regions of Pokolbin and Broke-Fordwich.

Sally Scarborough from Scarborough Wine Co is calling for similar protection legislations to that of South Australia's Barossa Valley and Western Australia's Margaret River. 

Local residents and businesses in this region have opposed the mine and are in the collective belief that this operation would negatively impact on viticulture and the tourism cluster. 

#NoNewMinesInOurVines is seeking local feedback and have launched a community awareness activation program through their digital and social media channels. 

The results of this combined with Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association (HWTA), will then be presented to NSW Government officials. 

Pictured: Sally Scarborough of Scarborough Wine Co

Driver Airlifted to Hospital Following Hunter Valley Crash

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A man's been airlifted to the John Hunter Hospital following a single-car crash at Pokolbin this morning.

The 23-year-old suffered head injuries when his vehicle collided with a tree on Palmers Lane at the corner of Wine Country Road around 9:30 this morning.

Emergency services had to free the man from the wreckage.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter has transported the man to hospital in a serious but stable condition.

The WRHS Chopper near the scene of the crash. Image: WRHS Ops Media

Good Samaritan Please Come Forward!

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police are appealing for the Good Samaritan who helped a woman Pokolbin overnight to come forward.

At about 7pm, police say the man came to the assistance of woman on Oakey Creek Road who had been assaulted.

He was last seen wearing a high visibility shirt and driving a white work utility.

Police are also looking for anyone else who may have been in the area at the time. They're being urged to contact Maitland Police Station on 4934 0200.

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.

Police chase ends with car breaking down in Broke

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Police were led on a lengthy car chase through the Hunter Valley last night which reached speeds of 100km/hr and lasted just over an hour.

Officers were patrolling Mount View Road in Pokolbin when they noticed a female driver in a white Mazda 323 believed to be linked to a spate of break and enters in the area.

Police attempted to stop the vehicle but it sped up and the chase began through Cessnock, Bellbird, Paxton, Millfield and Laguna ending up back in Broke after 61 minutes. At one stage the female driver of the Mazda 323 rammed a police car.

The car ironically broke down in Broke and the 36-year-old Cessnock woman was arrested.

She was taken to Maitland Police Station and charged with 15 offenses relating to last night's chase and is under investigation for the alleged break and enters in Pokolbin.

Road Upgrade Could Have Huge Economic Benefits for Pokolbin Area

BY BRIDGET GUNN

A sod-turning ceremony to mark the start of the upgrade of Hermitage Road and cycleway through Pokolbin took place at 1pm today.

The project is a joint venture between Singleton and Cessnock Councils and should be a huge benefit for the area, says Singleton Mayor John Martin.

"Council will be doing a lot of work on the road and putting in cycle paths," says Martin.

"This upgrade will help with bringing tourists through the vineyards in the area, so it's a win-win for everybody, and its a great upgrade for Hermitage Road, particularly the cycleway that will go beside it."

Singleton Council General Manager Jason Linnane,
Cessnock Mayor Bob Pynsent,
Cessnock City Council General Manager Stephen Glen and
 Singleton Mayor John Martin inspecting works in Pokolbin.
Source: The Advertiser