TOTAL FIRE BAN for the Hunter Ahead of another Warm Day

BY JESSICA ROUSE

It was a rough night's sleep in the Hunter last night, with the temperature still in the mid 30's for much of the region at 9:30pm.

It didn't get much cooler through the night it didn't get much cooler than the low to mid 20's.

It wasn't just hot last night, yesterday saw record temperatures with Nobby's reaching it's hottest day in five years at 41.4 degrees and Williamtown hitting nearly 44 degrees.

We're in for another warm one today with Wallsend expected to swelter through another 42 degree day and Maitland is also in for another hot one with an expected 43 degrees.

With that, the Rural Fire Service (RFS) has declared another Total Fire Ban for the Greater Hunter today.

"That's due to forecast hot, dry and windy conditions expected through parts of those areas today. That means there are no fires in the open and obviously if you want to know further you can visit the RFS website and your best off spending those couples of minutes before we turn up to extinguish any fires you may have and an infringement notice is sent out," said James Morris from the RFS.

"There is still warmer conditions predicted for tomorrow however we will see a cooler change come through on Wednesday which will hopefully bring milder conditions across much of the state and hopefully a small amount of rain in that as well."

For information on any fires near you head to NSW RFS Fires Near Me

Hunter independent service stations should expect a visit from SafeWork

BY JARROD MELMETH

The New South Wales Government has today launched a project aimed at educating independently-owned service stations in regional NSW, including the Hunter on safety and workers compensation, as well as obtaining fuel pricing information.

The project is in response to recent SafeWork research that found small, independently-owned service stations lack understanding of work health and safety in relation to storage, handling and use of dangerous goods, as well as safety and emergency plans.

Director North Region SafeWork NSW, Laurence Ritchie says Hunter service station owners should expect a visit.

"It's quite possible that there will be visits across the Hunter Region, but that will not be in the Greater Metropolitan area.

"The Hunter Region itself is quite broad and we will be looking to go to service stations that out lie the Hunter area," Mr Ritchie said.

SafeWork NSW Group Director, Regional Operations and Sector Initiatives, Tony Williams said the project was about increasing the ability of service stations in regional NSW to work safely and more productively.

"Due to their isolation, small independently-owned service stations in regional NSW have received less frequent assistance in the past.

"By Supporting them to understand their work health and safety, workers compensation and trading obligations, workers will be safer and consumers better protected," Mr Williams said.

During visits, SafeWork inspectors will advise local operators how to comply with dangerous goods regulations and ensure they have adequate and up to date safety and emergency plans.

"We've worked with stakeholders who have supported us going out," Mr Ritchie said.

Operators that receive a visit may be eligible to claim a $500 rebate from SafeWork NSW, to put towards the purchase and installation of eligible safety items that address a safety problem.