Government Provides Funding To Seismic Testing While Investor Pulls Out

BY JARROD MELMETH

A listing on the Australian Stock Exchange has revealed the federal government provided almost $400,000 in funding to MEC Resources, the company conducting seismic blasting off Newcastle and the Central Coast.

In the listing, MEC Resources says "the company was granted a Research and Development incentive in the quarter ended 31 December 2018 after recent seismic activities within PEP 11. An amount of $384k was received under the scheme."

The issue of seismic testing off the coast of Newcastle, the Central Coast and Sydney has been a 12-month long saga since Asset Energy were given approval off the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority in January last year. The approval was given to conduct testing, which involved sending sonic blasts into the ocean floor to identify natural gas deposits. Since then, large-scale community protests have taken place.

Founder and co-director of Save Our Coast Natasha Deen said the grant is out of line with community expectations.

"We thought the project would become financially unstable and now of course with the news that the government has given the companies a grant to prop them up, well we just cannot believe that," Ms Deen said.

Meanwhile, potential investor Sacgasco has withdrawn its support for the PEP11 project "due to unresolved issues at the joint venture level and complex approval procedures."

Sacgasco’s Managing Director Gary Jeffery said PEP11 is a technically interesting project. However, "the uncertainty around approval risks and timing associated with regulatory and public processes make the project unattractive for Sacgasco shareholders."

The Perth-based company announced it had refused an option it received last year to acquire RL Energy, the company engaged in a farm-in agreement with Asset Energy, which owns the PEP11 title.

A Farm-on-agreement is a contract signed between two companies, the Farmor and the Farmee, where the Farmor is the owner of the acreage and the Farmee is willing to perform the drilling and exploration in the acreage of the Farmor.

NSW Greens Marine and Fisheries Spokesperson Justin Field said Asset Energy and their remaining partners should heed the warning and shelve plans for more seismic testing before they waste more money on an unviable project.

Satellite image of the seismic testing area. Image: The
Newcastle Herald.

Virtual Reality Changing The Way Oral Health Is Taught

BY JARROD MELMETH

The dentist chair may soon be less daunting, with a new simulation technology at the University of Newcastle providing students with the opportunity to practice administering dental injections in a virtual environment.

The initiative, a collaboration between the University's IT Services Innovation Team and the School of Health Sciences, hopes to bridge the gap between the classroom and the clinic to ensure students are confident and capable when administering dental injections.

Utilising an Oculus headset, the wearer is transported to a virtual clinic, where a patient awaits a procedure.

A range of scenarios can be accessed by the student, including procedures requiring palatal injections to the roof of the mouth and interdental injections between the teeth. The program assists the student showing target points as well as a virtual gauge displaying the millilitres being administered.

UON Lecturer in Oral Health and Simulation Coordinator Denise Higgins said the program aims to bridge the gap between the classroom and the clinic.

"The students have the ability to start the simulation, so in this case, the virtual reality program and its scenario and they can stop, they can have a look at where they are up to, look at the statistics the program is giving back to them and then they can restart that program again.

"After using the simulation the students are much more confident to work on patients. They are then able to perform the skills at a level that is safer for patients who come to the clinic and then of course when they graduate, and they are registered practitioners, they are much more employable because they have done this task and have demonstrated that they are able to do it in a confident manner and a safe manner," Ms Higgins said.

UPDATE: Man Struck by Van Tragically Dies in Hospital

BY JESSICA ROUSE

UPDATE:

The man who was hit by a van at Kanwal has tragically died in John Hunter Hospital.

23-year-old Jack Riley was taken in a critical condition after the incident on Sunday night.

Police from Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command are continuing their investigations.

Initial investigations including CCTV footage appears to capture a number of people circling Jack in a carpark on the side of the road before Jack runs off on to the road where he is tragically hit by a passing van.

Police say there was nothing the driver could've done to stop.

Jack Riley. Image Seven News.

EARLIER:

A man is fighting for life in the John Hunter Hospital after being struck by a van on the Central Coast overnight.

Police say at about 11:30pm a 23-year-old ran across Wallarah Road at Kanwal and was struck by an eastbound van.

The man was thrown into the westbound lanes where passers-by helped him.

He was taken to hospital in a critical condition and is undergoing surgery.

The man who was driving the van, a 28-year-old, was taken to Wyong Hospital for mandatory tests.

Police from Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command are investigating, and initial investigations suggest the man may have been with four other people on the side of the road and gotten involved in an altercation before he was struck.

Police are urging any witnesses to come forward.

Woman Dead and Man Fighting for Life in the John Hunter Hospital after Tragic Car Accident

BY JESSICA ROUSE and JARROD MELMETH

The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter has been tasked to a major car accident on the Central Coast where one woman was tragically killed.

NSW Ambulance say they were called to the one car accident in Erina on the Central Coast Highway just before 10am.

They arrived to find an elderly couple unconscious in the car. The male driver was trapped in the vehicle for some time before he was freed. The 67-year-old was initially reported to have neck and back injuries and also went into cardiac arrest.

He was last reported to be in a critical condition and has been flown to the John Hunter Hospital with head injuries..

The female passenger had lacerations to her head and sadly died at the scene.

A crime scene has been established and police are calling for any witnesses to come forward.

Emergency services have helped to free a man from a car after a horror smash on the Central Coast Highway at Erina this morning @nbnnews pic.twitter.com/rGitNek9Vb

— Jacinta Lee (@jacinta_lee3) January 8, 2018

Man Fighting for Life in John Hunter Hospital

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man is fighting for life in the John Hunter Hospital after being struck by a van on the Central Coast overnight.

Police say at about 11:30pm a 23-year-old ran across Wallarah Road at Kanwal and was struck by an eastbound van.

The man was thrown into the westbound lanes where passers-by helped him.

He was taken to hospital in a critical condition and is undergoing surgery.

The man who was driving the van, a 28-year-old, was taken to Wyong Hospital for mandatory tests.

Police from Tuggerah Lakes Local Area Command are investigating, and initial investigations suggest the man may have been with four other people on the side of the road and gotten involved in an altercation before he was struck.

Police are urging any witnesses to come forward.

The RID Keeping the Community Safe... Safe from Illegal Dumpers

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Regional Illegal Dumping (RID) Squad is out in the Hunter keeping residents safe... safe from illegal dumpers.

The group is putting illegal dumpers on notice after a string of successful recent court actions resulting in big fines for the offenders who dump everything from construction material to asbestos.

RID is a joint initiative between the NSW Environment Protection Authority and eight local Councils in the Hunter and Central Coast. The squad has been targeting illegal dumping in the region since 2014.

The group has just secured funding for another four years so they can continue their mission.

"In the last 12 months, our squad which is comprised of members from eight different member councils in the area investigated over 1,000 - 1,020 to be exact, dumping incident involving about 19,000 tonnes of waste material," said Hunter coordinator Rob Robertson.

The RID also has the power to bring individuals and companies before either the Local Court or Land and Environment Court.

Rob says they've been issuing quite a number of on-the-spot fines particularly in Maitland, Singleton, Murrays Beach and Morisset. 

"In last year we gave out over 70 on-the-spot fines with a face value of nearly $150,000. The on-the-spot fines for people who might be dumping material start at $2,000 and can go up to $8,000 so they're quite significant."

Illegal dumping isn't just unsightly in the Hunter, but it can cause long-term health implications for both people and the environment.

"There were certainly some significant dumps that we had success with. There were approximately 30 tonnes of skip bin type material that was dumped at the Hunter Economic Zone at Kurri and we were successful in tracing back the b-double truck that was involved in dumping that material," said Rob.

The RID squad is warning anyone who intends to dump waste illegally, they WILL be caught and could be fined thousands of dollars.

Illegal dumper at Murrays Beach Image supplied.

Boy Attacks Morisset Man at Central Coast Train Station

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested after allegedly bashing a Morisset man at a train station on the Central Coast.

Police say the 31-year-old was waiting for a train at Narara when he was attacked by the boy at around 10pm.

The 16-year-old punched the man and then allegedly demanded his mobile which he then allegedly smashed on the ground.

The boy didn't stop there, he then continued to assault the man allegedly kicking him to the ground before stomping on his head. The man suffered severe head injuries and was treated at the scene before being taken to Gosford Hospital for further treatment.

The 16-year-old was arrested a short time later by police and taken to Gosford Police Station where he continued to be aggressive allegedly threatening one officer and punching another officer in the face.

He will face a Children's court today charged with assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, intimidation, assault police and malicious damage.

Man in Hospital After Tractor Rolls on Top Of Him at Mangrove Mountain

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A 60-year-old man has been taken to hospital after a tractor rolled on top of him at Mangrove Mountain on the Central Coast this morning.

The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to the scene at around 9am to find the tractor had rolled onto the man's leg and caused a serious laceration.

He's been taken to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition.

Our schools are still safe

BY RACHEL STORER

abc.net.au

New data from the Department of Education shows there were 200 more incidents in Hunter and Central Coast schools in 2016 than in 2015.

524 total issues were reported in our schools with violent incidents topping the list at 204.

Other incidents related to drugs, welfare and weapons.

There has also been a steady increase in student aggression towards teachers and principals.

NSW Secondary Principals' Association president Chris Presland said the recent spike in incidents can partly be explained by changed to reporting measures, which sees even minor incidents reported.

Mr Presland also said that schools remain the safest place in our community and believes the problem is more widespread.

"I think there is a broader societal issue and we all need to have a think about how we approach frustration and unfortunately there seems to be an increasing tendency for people to approach that in an aggressive matter and that's not ok."

Mr Presland assures that schools are dealing with the issue of violence to the best of their ability but are unfortunately facing a constant battle with what students are exposed to in the community.

Charges laid after 19-year-old fatally killed on the Central Coast

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The three people arrested yesterday at West Wallsend and Wyee in relation to the alleged shooting of a 19-year-old man on the Central Coast have now been charged.

The 48-year-old man arrested on George Booth Drive at Sea Hampton during a car stop was taken to Toronto Police Station and has been charged with accessory after the fact to murder.

Meanwhile the two others a 24-year-old and a 17-year-old have also been charged, thought to allegedly be his children, the pair have both been charged with murder along with other offences.

All three will face court today.

It comes after emergency services were called to Warner Avenue in Wyong following reports of shoots being fired at 12:30pm on Monday.

A 19-year-old man was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics, but died at the scene. Another man, aged 28, was treated for a grazes to his hand and shoulder at the scene.

Three arrested after man dies in John Hunter Hospital

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Three men have been arrested following the death of a Central Coast man at the John Hunter Hospital last month.

The 21-year-old man was found unconscious on the roadway of Lake Haven Drive near Lyle Street last month with serious head injuries.


He was treated at the scene before being taken to John Hunter Hospital. After discovering the extent of his injuries, the man's family made the tragic decision to switch off his life support and he died.

An investigation into his death commenced which led to detectives to the arrest of a 37-year-old man in Kanwal yesterday morning. He was taken to Wyong Police Station where he was charged with allegedly concealing serious indictable offence of another person.

The two other men aged 28 and 34, were also arrested yesterday and were allegedly charged with his murder and refused bail.

All three will face court today.

Man dies after being found unconscious on Central Coast

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

A 21-year-old man who was left to die on a Central Coast road has tragically passed away in the John Hunter Hospital overnight.

Jayden Mason's family made the heartbreaking decision to switch off his life support last night after being told of the extent of his brain damage.

Police are investigating the events which lead up to Jayden being left lying on Lake Haven Road at Lake Haven on Saturday night. Police say they suspect he was either bashed or hit by a car.

He'd suffered severe head injuries.

Police want to speak to a woman in her 50's who was driving a dark blue Ford Falcon who stopped to help Jayden.

UPDATE: Man charged with murder of Carly McBride

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Hunter Valley detectives have formally charged a 39-year-old Central Coast man with the murder of Lake Macquarie woman Carly McBride.

Investigators from Strike Force Karabi arrested the man at San Remo just after 8am today, who they will allege is Ms McBride's former partner.

Police allege there was a relationship between the man in custody and Ms McBride and jealousy could have been a factor in her death.

The remains of the 31-year-old Belmont mother of two were discovered in August last year in roadside scrub near Scone after extensive investigations in bushland and properties.

Superintendent Steve Clarke says the man in custody is still helping detectives with inquiries and meanwhile, the possible cause of Ms McBride's death has been revealed.

"A post mortem has revealed that she died from blunt force trauma and we will allege she was assaulted to a point where she died. Certainly of significance to investigators, the man in custody here has indicated to us that his former profession was as a boxer and Muay Thai champion. He claims to have a record of 20 wins and no losses. That is significant in this particular investigation."

Police also say they will be conducting another arrest later this week on a man in Lithgow who they say was known to both the man in custody and Ms McBride.

The accused man was refused bail to appear before Wyong Local Court this afternoon.

He's also been charged with unrelated charges pertaining to the destruction by fire of a rental car and weapons offences.

EARLIER:

In what has been a nearly three-year long investigation, police have made a breakthrough arrest this morning in relation to the murder of Lake Macquarie woman Carly McBride.

The 31-year old from Belmont disappeared in September 2014 during a visit to Muswellbrook in the Hunter Valley.

Strike Force Karabi was formed to investigate her disappearance leading to the search of bushland and properties in the Muswellbrook area, and in August last year, the remains of Ms McBride were found in roadside scrub at Owens Gap on the outskirts of Scone.

After extensive investigations, strike force investigators arrested a 39-year-old man just after 8.00am today at San Remo on the Central Coast.

He's assisting detectives with their inquiries at Wyong Police Station.

Detectives have also executed a search warrant at the 39-year-old man's home nearby at Buff Point.

Carly McBride

The Hunter is an obesity 'hot spot'

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Hunter has been labelled as an obesity 'hot spot' above the state's average, as the obesity crisis increases across Australia

Kidney Health Australia released a one off report yesterday revealing the link between obesity and what is known as the silent killer: chronic kidney disease.

The Hunter New England and Central Coast region was shown to have an obesity rate of 68 per cent and a 12 per cent rate of chronic kidney disease. Both statistics are well above the state average of 63 per cent for obesity, and 10 per cent for kidney disease.

Medical Advisor and Board Member for Kidney Health Australia Jonathon Craig, says no matter your age now, the older you get the greater chance you have of becoming a statistic of obesity and kidney disease.

"As people get older, rates of obesity increase which is broadly consistent with what's happening in chronic kidney disease where the rates increase over time and are particularly prevalent in those aged over 60 or more."

According to the report, overweight people are 1.5 times more likely to develop kidney disease and for obese people the rate drastically doubles.

Kidney Health Australia CEO Mikaela Stafrace says "in obese people the kidneys have to work harder, filtering more blood than normal," and this increase in the kidney's function "can damage the kidneys - effectively shutting them down - and cause kidney disease".

Man Charged After Allegedly Assaulting A Child On Central Coast Train.

BY JESSICA WORBOYS

Officers have charged a 22-year-old man after allegedly assaulting a child on a train travelling northbound from Sydney yesterday.

The officers were approached at Woy Woy station by a witness who was concerned for the welfare of a 10-month-old boy on board the train.

Senior Constable Sara Burgess says “the boy appeared to have injuries and was distressed.”

“Officers were told the child was allegedly assaulted several times during the trip from Sydney, by a man believed to be travelling with the child’s mother.”

Officers arrested the man where he was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, domestic violence related, at Gosford Police Station.

He was refused bail to appear before Gosford Local Court today.

The child was taken by NSW Ambulance Paramedics to Gosford Hospital and is in a stable condition. He will be placed in care and police are working with the Department of Family and Community Services. 

Families Urged To Claim Family Energy Rebate

BY ARIANA GATTI

People who have lived in residential communities, long-term, are able to apply for up to $165 to cover the cost of electricity.

Families with young, dependent children, can apply for up to $150 worth of rebate assistance, who received a Family Tax Benefit this financial year.

Residents who meet the criteria will have until the 16^th of June to claim the rebate on their electricity bills.

Member for Swansea, MP Yasmin Catley, is urging eligible Hunter residents to the claim the NSW Government’s Family Energy Rebate as soon as possible.

MP Yasmin Catley says, “The application will only take a couple of minutes online, but should be completed as soon as possible to avoid the last minute rush.”

[Image source: Sawmill Creek (LINK)] 

Help Stop Domestic Violence

The Hunter community has been asked to help curb domestic violence by assisting in reforms to better target perpetrators and improve support for victims.

The NSW Government has already made significant reforms to help end domestic and family violence throughout the State.  Previous reforms have included allowing video evidence in courts.

The mandatory NSW PDHPE syllabus for years 7-10 has also been altered to explicitly include domestic violence.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter and Central Coast Scot MacDonald says "domestic and family violence has been with us for a long, long time and it's going to take generations to change".

"The way to do that is to raise awareness and the understanding it from a very early age that family violence is unacceptable".

NSW Premier Mike Baird

The current reforms from the State Government are coupled with a $60 million package which target perpetrators of domestic violence.

The consultation period ends on Friday, February 5 2016