Police Appeal For Information to Locate Missing Windale Man

BY JACK SEYMOUR

Police are asking for public assistance to help locate a missing man from Lake Macquarie.

35-year-old Andrew was last seen at Myall Street, Windale on Wednesday January 15.

He's known to use public transport and frequent the Windale, Charlestown, Warners Bay, Hillsborough and Belmont areas.

Anyone with information is being asked to contact Lake Macquarie Police or Crime Stoppers.

Testing Clinic Tempers Flare as the Hunter Nears Capacity

 By SAMUEL BARTLETT

COVID-19 testing clinics across the Hunter are being forced to turn motorists away due to the influx of cases in the region.

With 674 new COVID cases in the Hunter New England Health District today, motorists at drive through clinics are waiting hours to receive a swab.

NSW Health have also said they won't be notifying every close contact or even every positive case. 

The change means people could be waiting indefinitely for a test result or in the community while infectious without knowing.

Tempers are flaring at packed clinics with drivers being encouraged to look elsewhere to get a test.

Shadow Minister for the Hunter Yasmin Catley says the Government needs to open the clinics for longer and do whatever necessary to keep the region under control.

She says, "we've discovered that the testing clinics have reduced their hours so far that we're seeing absolute chaos out on the streets,"

"We've got a significant number of cases in the hunter now and as a result a lot of people have been in contact, and they want to be tested," she explains.

"The Government is asking them to get tested however that is near impossible right throughout the Hunter,"

"We've called on the government to be nimble and to provide the resources that we need when appropriate." 

Mineral Council Continues to Fight for Regulation of Port

BY PATRICK ALDERTON 

The NSW Minerals Council says it will push on with its campaign to declare the Port of Newcastle a regulated entity. 

Despite having their appeal against treasurer Josh Frydenberg rejected, the Minerals Council believes the port should be regulated. 

Since April last year, the port has refused at least five Australian Competition and Consumer Commission authorised bargaining processes. 

The NSW Minerals Council says they will continue to pursue all options for regulatory oversight of the port. 

Source: Port of Newcastle 

Researchers Team Up to Fight Ross River Virus

 BY PATRICK ALDERTON 

Researchers from the University of Newcastle have teamed up with the CSIRO, the NSW Department of Health, and the University of Melbourne to tackle the mosquito-borne Ross River Virus. 

The three-year project will use genomic sequencing, aiming to inform suppression strategies for the Aedes Vigilax species in the Hunter, Lake Macquarie and Port Stephens areas. 

The Aedes Vigilax species, originating from coastal wetland areas such as swamps, mangroves and salt marshes, has one of the most widespread populations in Australia, and can fly many kilometres in a lifetime. 

CSIRO researcher Brendan Trewin says the project will be influenced by new advances in genomic sequencing to look at closely related mosquito populations and determine relationships between them. 

"Advances in technology mean we can sequence tiny amounts of DNA to track genetic differences of individual mosquito genomes and find distinct populations" Dr Trewin said. 

The CSIRO has extensive experience working to prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases. 

Pictured: Aedes Vigilax mosquito 
Image supplied by CSIRO 

Lake Macquarie Council Names Contractor For Weir Road Bridge

BY PATRICK ALDERTON 

Lake Macquarie City Council has appointed a contractor to oversee the construction of the new Weir Road Bridge. 

The multi-million dollar bridge works, to be delivered by Robson Civil Projects, will consist of the construction of a new dual-lane bridge, road realignment works and the construction of a three-metre wide pathway on the bridge's northern side. 

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser believes that the Lake Macquarie community will welcome the news. 

"Once complete, it will enable a reliable and safe passage for motorists to travel between Barnsley and Teralba," Ms Fraser said. 

Robson Civil Projects Division Manager Chris Janetzki says the company is extremely proud to be tasked with the project. 

"Robson Civil Projects are very excited to be involved in this project and we look forward to delivering a quality product for the Lake Macquarie Community," Mr Janetzki said. 

Lake Macquarie Council will jointly fund the project with the Australian Government, who have pledged $4.7 million toward the bridge, with the Council funding the remainder of the project. 

Construction of the bridge is set to begin in late August, with the bridge expected to be operational in mid-2022. 

An artist's impression of the New Weir Road Bridge. 
Image supplied. 

$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.

University Defends Job Cuts

BY KAYNE STEPHENS

The University of Newcastle is defending its proposed restructure following a national petition launched against the changes.

The restructure will is estimated to cut 120 job cuts across the institution.

Vice Chancellor Alex Zelinsky says the changes are a necessary response to the university's current financial position.

"We have a financial sustainability problem that at some point our expenses exceed our revenue so we become financially unsustainable.

"It's a $35 million problem and we're addressing it through the reduction of costs and that includes, unfortunately, some job cuts."

The National Tertiary Education Union launched the petition, calling for community support to reject the proposal.

Vice Chancellor Alex Zelinsky says the loss of international students due to international border closures has had additional impact on the university's financial position.

"We've used international students to balance the books," Mr Zelinksy said.

"With COVID, international students didn't come here. So our international student enrolments this year are down 33% compared to the previous year. So that translates to a funding gap.

"The government has put in a package I would say is adequate for teaching only. But we also need to worry about research, so we need other funds for research and we have to work with industry," he said.

Vice Chancellor Alex Zelinsky says the restructure will allow greater resources to meet student demand.

"Students vote with their feet. They enroll in certain courses, they like certain courses more than they do others and in the end we need to match the resources that are available," Mr Zelinksy said.

"There are certain courses that become more popular, like criminology but we don't have the academics to teach there," Mr Zelinksy said.

"So what we're proposing to do is create more resources where the teaching load is and obviously diminishing where the student load doesn't exist," he said.

Lake Macquarie Man Fined $2,000 for Illegal Tyre Dumping

 By SAMUEL BARTLETT

A 43-year-old man from Bolton point has suffered a $2,000 fine for dumping nine tyres at Killingworth in early March.

Investigators from the Hunter and Central Coast Regional Illegal Dumping (RID) Squad detected the offence using covert surveillance cameras.

RID Squad Coordinator Rob Robertson explained, "we regularly use covert cameras to combat illegal dumping on Council land, or any other land where we have the owners or managers permission. 

More fines could be on the way as Mr. Robertson said, "we are still seeking a person for a second dump which was captured at this same location."

Tyres are seen as a particularly difficult type of waste which don't break down or perish and cause long running environmental problems when left.

Mr Robertson warned its much safer to pay the fee at a waste facility rather than suffer the fines for dumping.

"If you are caught illegally dumping, you will receive an on the spot fine of between $2,000 and $8,000. you must then remove and pay for the lawful disposal of the waste anyway," he said.

Larger amounts of waste dumping can result in a court appearance where fines reach over $100,000 for individuals.

"Don't put yourself in the position where you are regretting a poor choice regarding disposal of waste," Mr Robertson says.

Newcastle Transport: Start planning your Journey

BY JARROD MELMETH

With just over two weeks until the overhaul of Newcastle's Transport network comes into effect, commuters can start planning their journeys as of today.

Newcastle Transport's private operator Keolis Downer announced the new network in November promising more services and better connections.

As of January 14, most bus routes will have been revised as well as bus numbers changing to a new two digit number.

Commuters can plan their trip by visiting newcastletransport.info or by dropping into the Newcastle Transport Hub to pick up a printed timetable.

Newcastle and Lake Macquarie region network coming into effect
January 14. 

Stage one of Port Stephens Koala Sanctuary unveiled

BY JARROD MELMETH

The first stage of a proposed $3 million Koala Sanctuary was unveiled this morning at a ceremony at Treescape, One Mile.

Stage one of the sanctuary involves the construction of koala rehabilitation pens, which will allow local volunteers to care for koalas locally, rather than having to transport them to Port Macquarie Koala Hospital.

Port Stephens Koalas project manager, Ron Land, said previously, the group have had to either release sick or injured koalas prematurely, transport them to Port Macquarie for further care, or in some cases, euthanise them.

"It gives us now a range of options that we have never had before. Just the transferring of an ill or injured koala to Port Macquarie is very stressful for the koala and did not always have a happy outcome.

"We are able to now, and it is very important for local koalas that they continue to eat the leaf from their local area because their digestive system is very highly tuned and obviously any koala transferred outside of the area is fed the leaf from the Mid-North Coast which is not the same as the leaf they have been reared on here," Mr Land said.

Former NSW Premier Mike Baird announced $124,000 allocated from the Community Building Program for stage one of the project.

Mr Land said together with Council, Port Stephens Koalas have applied to the State Government for an additional $3 million in funding which, if secured will see stage two commence.

"This will include the construction of the hospital buildings as well as a state-of-the-art eco-tourism facility where people will be able to come and see the koalas in their natural environment whilst we carry on our work within the hospital and various parts of the facility," Mr Land said.

Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer says the region is home to one of the last remaining koala populations on the east coast, so it is important to protect them.

Photo: Jarrod Melmeth

Final Consultation Sessions for Broadmeadow Redevelopment

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI

Hunter residents are being urged to have their say about the concept plan for Broadmeadow's Sports and Entertainment Precinct at the final community consultation sessions this weekend.

They'll be held on Sunday at Broadmeadow Showground for the Farmers Market between 10am and 12pm as well as the forecourt of McDonald Jones Stadium at 3:30pm.

The proposed concept plan is looking at ideas for the site's long-term future and issues that need to be addressed.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald says they're looking for everybody to have their say.

"Whether you're interested in [the] sports side, the entertainment side, the transport side, the residential aspect to it -- we're looking for everybody's input. I think this is one of the next big exciting steps forward for Newcastle and the Hunter. This is really a chance now to hit the reset button and get the best overall concept to bring in all those elements."

He says this Sunday is the last opportunity for residents to provide feedback for this stage of the plan.

However, if people miss their chance there are other ways they can get involved.

"If you can't get down...you can still have a look at it on the website. Just go to Venues NSW and follow it to 'Concept Plan.' Just follow [the links] through," Mr. MacDonald said.

Concept Plan for Sports Precinct. [Image: Newcastle Herald]

To make a submission visit: http://www.venuesnsw.com/page/conceptplan  

Department of Planning: Gloucester not a suitable site for Rocky Hill mine

BY JARROD MELMETH

Lock the Gate Alliance have welcomed a recommendation by the Department of Planning rejecting the development application for the Rocky Hill coal mine at Gloucester.

In an Environmental Impact Assessment to the Planning Assessment Commission, the Department has listed, the site not being suitable for the project; the impacts to residents due to the proximity to the town of Gloucester; visual and social impacts as well as the project not being in the public interest as reasons why the development application should be refused.

The report concludes that "the Department acknowledges that the amended project would deliver economic and employment benefits to the Gloucester region and State economies for the period that the mine would be operational.

"However, in the Department's view, the amended project is incompatibly located with respect to the southern fringes of the nearby urban area of Gloucester," the Environmental Impact Assessment said.

Lock the Gate Alliance spokesperson Georgina Woods says this is a common sense decision.

"It was never a good idea to dig an open cut coal mine right on Gloucester's doorstep and to subject the people there to air and noise pollution. We welcome it and congratulate the people of Gloucester who have rallied together to protect the quality of life and environment of their community," Ms Woods said.

Although the proposal for the mine has been amended by reducing operating hours as well as a range of other measures, the Department did not provide any recommended conditions of consent.

NSW Greens resources spokesman Jeremy Buckingham said it was time for the Planning Assessment Commission to now reject the mine and the government should cancel the exploration license for the area to give the residents of Gloucester some certainty for the future.

The Planning Assessment Commission has convened and elected a chair to rule on the matter although no deadline for a decision has yet been set.

Protesters against Rocky Hill coal mine. Image: Groundswell
Gloucester.

Local MP's sidelined on Williamtown Contamination

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson says "it's a disgrace" the NSW Government plans to exclude local MP's from the new Williamtown consultative group.

Yesterday, it was revealed an 'independent' committee will be established and members of the current Williamtown Elected Representative Group (ERG) won't be given a place.

The Government also announced plans to dissolve the ERG but Meryl Swanson says this won't stop her from continuing to defend her community.

She says the State Government is just trying to avoid answering the tough questions.

"This is an attempt by the State Government to try and shelve this, to push it back into the corner and push it back under the rug and it's not good enough. We won't have it.

"This is a disgrace and we are continuing to fight and we won't be silenced on this."

The Paterson MP also claims it's "poor form" for Parliamentary Secretary of the Hunter, Scot Macdonald to suggest the ERG isn't taking the Williamtown contamination issue seriously by listening to the concerns of residents.

Paterson MP Meryl Swanson

"I was affronted by Scot Macdonald's suggestion yesterday that our community concerns are not treated with sensitivity and confidentiality. I have never once breached the confidence of a meeting.

"That was particularly poor form to suggest that politicians would misrepresent members of the community. That is not accurate."

It is not currently known what role the new committee will play.

The Williamtown community has pushed back against this announcement, saying they want their local MP's to represent them on the issue.

Newcastle TAFE Student in the Pits at Bathurst 1000

BY SARAH BARONOWSKI

The Bathurst 1000 has a little bit of Novocastrian flavour this weekend.

Hunter TAFE student Isabelle Kranhold is taking part in the iconic racing event, fulfilling her childhood dream of working in the pits.

The 19-year-old is currently studying a Certificate 3 in Light Vehicle Mechanical Technology at Glendale TAFE.

She'll be working for Brad Jones Racing, draining and refilling fuel, cooling engines, and controlling fire hazards among many other important mechanical jobs.

Isabelle says Bathurst is a fantastic event and it's so exciting to be involved.

"It's honestly an amazing experience. I went to the Sydney Red Rooster Supersprint back in August and Bathurst is nothing like that. It's so much more full on and so much more crazy and so much more is happening. It's a great experience."

She says she's looking forward to being apart of more events like this as she works towards her dream career as a mechanic.

"I'm actually going to the Newcastle 500 as well which is where I live and I'd also, in the future, like to become a pit mechanic after I finish my apprenticeship which will be in 2019."

Isabelle Kranhold. [Image: Hunter TAFE]

UPDATE: Port Stephens fire fighter charged with making false calls to Triple Zero

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Following investigations by Port Stephens Local Area Command detectives and the State Crime Command's Arson Unit, a fire fighter from Port Stephens has been arrested and charged with allegedly making more than 40 fake phone calls to emergency services.

The 20-year-old man, a probationary member of the Rural Fire Service, was arrested at his home yesterday and charged with three counts of make false call to emergency services number, eleven counts of making vexatious calls to an emergency services number, and assault with act of indecency.

There are no specifics on the circumstances surrounding the phonecalls, but police say after a lot of analysis of telecommunication records they will allege the phone calls were made throughout August.

"As a result of information received from the RFS we were very concerned about up to 48 telephone calls which were hoax calls surrounding predominantly house fires in the Medowie area," said Acting Superintendent Wayne Humphrey at a media conference outside Raymond Terrace Police Station today.

"I believe there was a number of car accidents as well. it will be alleged there was some following of police vehicles as well but predominantly around Rural Fire Service issues if I can put it that way,"

Acting Superintendent Wayne Humphrey at
Raymond Terrace Police Station.

"There will also be an allegation in relation to committing an act of indecency against a female member of the Rural Fire Service."

The man was released on conditional bail and will front Raymond Terrace Local Court on September 19.

Police are unable to comment on the motives behind the man's actions.

Superintendent Humphrey says he has no sympathy for people who make these fake phonecalls, they take police and Rural Fire Service away from where they need to be.

"Right now I have police and Rural Fire Service members on the highway at Medowie fighting an actual bushfire. The impact of having to call those emergency services to false events is a just horrendous," said Superintendent Humphrey.


EARLIER:

BY JARROD MELMETH

Police will address the media this afternoon after a Port Stephens fire fighter was arrested on Monday for allegedly making a number of false calls to Triple Zero.

Investigations from Strike Force Wenske led investigators to a Port Stephens home where a 20-year-old probationary member of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service was arrested.

Strike Force Wenske was established in August 2017 by officers from Port Stephens Local Area Command assisted by the State Crime Command, Property Crime Squad, Arson Unit, to investigate hoax reports of fire and motor vehicle accident.

He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with three counts of make false call to emergency services number, eleven counts of make vexatious calls to an emergency services number, and assault with act of indecency.

It will be alleged in excess of forty calls were made from pay phones and a mobile phone to contact Triple Zero and report fictitious bush fires and motor vehicle accidents.

The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Friday 20 October 2017.

Image nbnnews.com

Port Stephens fire fighter charged

BY JARROD MELMETH

Police will address the media this afternoon after a Port Stephens fire fighter was arrested on Monday for allegedly making a number of false calls to Triple Zero.

Investigations from Strike Force Wenske led investigators to a Port Stephens home where a 20-year-old probationary member of the New South Wales Rural Fire Service was arrested.

Strike Force Wenske was established in August 2017 by officers from Port Stephens Local Area Command assisted by the State Crime Command, Property Crime Squad, Arson Unit, to investigate hoax reports of fire and motor vehicle accident.

He was taken to Raymond Terrace Police Station and charged with three counts of make false call to emergency services number, eleven counts of make vexatious calls to an emergency services number, and assault with act of indecency.

It will be alleged in excess of forty calls were made from pay phones and a mobile phone to contact Triple Zero and report fictitious bush fires and motor vehicle accidents.

The man was granted conditional bail to appear at Raymond Terrace Local Court on Friday 20 October 2017.

Mining workers rally against Glencore, no result yet

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Efforts to strike an agreement between mining company Glencore and its dissatisfied employees have so far failed, with tensions coming to a head yesterday at Singleton Showground.

Glencore employees, members of the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union (CFMEU), gathered at the Showground on Tuesday to rally for new enterprise agreements after the expiration of previous agreements.

Around 1300 union members were present and calling for greater job security, higher redundancy pay and a lessening of the use of contractors within the company.

With three work stoppages at the mining giant's Hunter Valley open cut sites, Northern District President of the CFMEU, Peter Jordan, believes the 12-week disagreement has been detrimental to Glencore's productivity.

"I think it's had a major effect on their production, that's our understanding of it," he said, "They're having problems with their shipments and we're told by other coal proprietors [Glencore] are busily in contact with them for the purposes of purchasing coal to meet their shipments.

"They may have their standard line that they say to the media," Mr Jordan continued, "that the industrial action has had minimal impact on them and they're continuing to operate safely, but the fact of the matter is that's not what's reality on the job."

Mr Jordan said the union passed three resolutions yesterday in a unanimous vote. "Firstly, that the district will continue to be directed by its 1400 members to call further aggregate meetings in the event that we're not able to progress the negotiations.

"Secondly, the individual mine sites in the meantime would continue to implement stoppages and other industrial action to bring about a successful agreement.

"And thirdly, the 1300 members in attendance made it very clear they wanted to call on Glencore to come to the table and deliver on the key issues at hand."

Glencore's Ravensworth, Glendell, Mangoola, Bulga and Liddell mines are among those whose workers are being represented by the union.

Tuesday's rally at Singleton Showground. Image Source: Singleton Argus. 

"Anti-vaxxer" movement not changing the minds of Hunter residents

BY JARROD MELMETH

Despite recent politics around vaccinations, new data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare shows the people of the Hunter New England Health District are among the best "vaxxers" in the country.

The Immunisation report for 2015-16 crowns Hunter New England with the third highest rates of fully immunised children aged 5 years at 95.4 percent compared to the national average of 92.9 percent.

Hunter New England Health physician Dr David Durrheim said, "the anti-vaxxer" movement has had no impact on immunisation results locally or nationally.

"Across Hunter New England we have seen a sustained appreciation of the value of vaccinations offers in protecting children and we are not seeing parents moving away from vaccinations at all," Dr Durrheim said.

The report's results show 94.9 percent of 12-month-old children are fully vaccinated whilst only 92.3 percent of 2-year-old children are fully vaccinated.

Dr Durrheim attributes this to parents simply forgetting to immunise or being late to get their children immunised.

"We found that during the second year of life there are other vaccines that are also offered, and generally it is an issue, not that parents do not want their children to be vaccinated, but it is actually about getting their children vaccinated on time.

"The 5-year coverage figures are equally pleasing and that shows again that parents do want their kids protected but, sometimes the difficulties of young family life mean that vaccines are delayed, and that is not something we encourage as children are at their most vulnerable when they are young," Dr Durrheim said.

The Hunter New England Health District also ranked second in the country for Aboriginal Childhood immunisation at 12-months, which Dr Durrheim said highlights the network's efforts in closing the gap in coverage of Aboriginal Childhood immunisation.

"The Hunter New England Health District have been working with Aboriginal medical services, General Practitioners across the region and community health services.

"We contact Aboriginal mums and dads within the first few weeks of the birth of their little one by telephone and then provide an SMS service as reminders.

"So, we are pleased that initiative is paying off," Dr Durrheim said.

Dr David Durrheim

Adani loan bad for Hunter economy

BY JARROD MELMETH

The Turnbull government is coming under fire for "declaring war on Hunter coal miners" if they proceed with a $1 billion loan to the Adani Carmichael coal mine in Queensland.

Adani has applied for the loan through the $5 billion Northern Australian Infrastructure Fund, which grants concessional loans for the private sector to build infrastructure at the top of Australia.

The mine would become one of the biggest in the world with the potential to produce between 25 and 60 million tonnes per year depending on the plan from which the mine is operated from.

Shadow Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Infrastructure Pat Conroy said the research shows the negative impact the loan would have to the Hunter region.

"It is just straight logic. If demand for a product is falling if you increase supply, by definition the price will fall and that is my main point which has been corroborated by the CEO of Newcastle Port and by the Australian Institute and I have not had anyone dispute that.

"While the coal is a bit lower quality than Newcastle coal in terms of its calorific value and the value of it when you are trying to use it to produce electricity, it still will suppress the coal prices globally.

"When you add on top of that the fact that the Federal government is considering giving a loan to this company, it is bad news for Hunter coal miners and that is why we should be saying to the Government that we should not be giving a leg up to the competition," Mr Conroy said.

Pat Conroy.

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