Unused Quarry in Redhead Used for Illegal Dumping, To Be Transformed Into Nature Haven

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A disused Redhead quarry that was once an illegal dumping hot-spot will be transformed into a haven for native flora and fauna under a major Council rehabilitation project.

Works have begun to provide safe access to the 3ha site off Oakdale Road, with the aim of returning it to its former natural state.

Lake Macquarie City Council Manager Environmental Systems Tim Browne said more than 4000 trees, 10,000 shrubs and 20,000 vines, ferns and other ground cover species would be planted across the site.

They include spotted gums, blackbutts, scribbly gums and smooth-barked apple trees – all native to the area.

Almost 92,000 tonnes of clean earth will also be trucked in from construction sites across Lake Macquarie to help fill the quarry void and reshape the landscape to a more natural form that aids drainage and minimises erosion.

“The Oakdale Road quarry has been a dumping ground and hooning hot-spot for unauthorised dirt bikes for many years,” Mr Browne said.

“These rehabilitation works will help it blend back into the natural environment and establish new habitats in which native plants and animals can thrive.”

Natural Assets Officer Brooke Laforest said Lake Macquarie Landcare would provide the bulk of plants required for the rehabilitation project.

They will be planted in stages as the site is reshaped.

“The existing cliff will still be a feature of the site, but earth will be built up against it to create a more natural final landform that slopes down into the middle of the quarry,” Ms Laforest said.

Council leased the site from NSW Crown Lands to quarry gravel for local construction projects, but ceased quarrying in the 1980s.

Public access will be restored once the rehabilitation project is completed, expected to be in 2023 at the earliest.

Mr Browne said similar works were nearing completion at West McDonalds quarry at Glendale.

That site is earmarked for community use rather than natural bushland.

One of the Illegal Dumping Sites in the Quarry

Natural Assets Officer, Brooke LaForest at the Redhead Quarry Site

Aerial View of the Redhead Quarry Site, showing illegal dumping and trail bike tracks

Shark Drones Return to Hunter Beaches

BY MADELAINE MCNEILL

A drone program improving safety at local beaches is being expanded to two popular Hunter swimming spots.

The state government will roll out the drones at Birubi and Redhead beaches this summer, allowing lifeguards another set of eyes on the surf.

The drones will be in operation from November 1st and will offer a birds-eye view for lifeguards to spot potential risks from the air.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot Macdonald has said that while risk prevention is the priority, the drones will also inform future approaches for the NSW Shark Management Strategy.

The local beaches are among 15 across the NSW coast trialling the technology until April 2019.

A bull shark filmed off Redhead Beach during last season's drone trial. Image: The Herald

Man unconscious after accident at Redhead

BY JESSICA ROUSE

A man has been pulled unconscious from a vehicle after a two car accident this morning at Redhead.

Emergency services were called to Redhead Road at the Oakdale Road intersection just before 10am where they found a driver who was trapped for some time in a car before being pulled unconscious from the vehicle.

The man in his 20's was taken to the John Hunter Hospital.

The other driver walked away and didn't require any treatment.

Man Tries To Lure Young Boy Into Toilets At Redhead Beach

BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to face court next month accused of trying to lure a boy into the toilets at Redhead Beach.

The 7-year-old was standing outside the toilet block at about 2.00pm yesterday when it's alleged the 56-year-old man asked the boy to go inside with him.

The boy's mother confronted the man and he fled.

Police found him a short time later at the northern end of the beach where it's alleged he was committing an indecent act.

He's been charged with intimidate with the intent to cause fear of physical harm, behave in offensive manner in a public place and wilful and obscene exposure.

He's been granted conditional bail to face Belmont Local Court on Wednesday 3 May 2017.

Tenth Day of Shark Sightings Closes Blacksmiths Beach

BY GEORGIA LUPTON

A spate of shark sightings along the coast of Lake Macquarie has prompted the closure of ones of its beaches.

Blacksmiths Beach was closed for an hour yesterday after a 3 metre bull shark was sighted near the beach by a Department of Primary Industries helicopter.

An alarm was sounded before lifeguards conducted a jet ski search, put out signs and cleared swimmers from the water.

The shark moved away from the beach, which reopened around 10:40am.

At least one shark has been sighted between Redhead Beach and Blacksmiths Point every day for the last 10 days.

Two sharks were seen off Blacksmiths Beach on Tuesday.

Redhead Beach was closed on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday following great white shark sightings.

Women Spend Night on Rock Ledge Above Dudley Beach

BY GEORGIA LUPTON

Two women have spent a night on a cliff ledge after becoming trapped during a walk between Merewether and Redhead Beaches.

The two 27-year-olds set off on their coastal trek at around 4:30 yesterday afternoon before they became trapped due to the terrain and fading light.

The women contacted a friend around 6:30pm, advising them of their situation.

The friend contacted emergency services at around 11pm when the women failed to return home.

Police and ambulance paramedics found the women on a rock ledge above the waterline near Dudley Beach just after 11:30pm.

The Westpac Rescue Helicopter attended the scene however, it was deemed too dangerous to winch the women out.

A paramedic was winched to the women due to concerns regarding dehydration and communication.

Ground parties were expected to walk the women out of the area at first light this morning.

Redhead beach concerns

Redhead locals are voicing concerns about the behaviour of four-wheel drivers and motor bike riders on the Nine Mile beach dunes

Residents say there has been an increase in littler and torched vehicles left along the coastline

Lake Macquarie mayor, Jodie Harrison, says recreational vehicle users should stay off the dunes.

“It is a public beach and we do ask people to consider others when they use. It if people do see other using incorrectly, we do ask they to either approach the people, as long as it’s safe, or else to report the behaviour,” Mrs Harrison said.

The increase use of the beach by motor vehicles is thought to be due to restrictions at Stockton beach, which came in just over 12 months ago.