Newcastle Students Left Disappointed on Air Conditioning Rollout

 BY CHARLOTTE LLOYD

At the start of 2019, the state government released the Cooler Classrooms grant program which set aside  $500 million for an air conditioning roll out in schools.

Among the 447 applications received since, only 15 have progressed to stage two of the process.

This sits at around three per cent of all applications. 

Throughout the Hunter there are five schools that have been affected by this delay which are Callaghan College Waratah Technology Campus, Lambton High School, Newcastle East Public School, Newcastle High School and The Junction Public School. 

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp says after almost two and a half years since the applications were opened and received, the Liberals have not followed through on their flashy announcement. 

“Schools should not be left languishing because someone can’t manage their ‘in’ tray.” 

Stay Safe This Summer

BY SARAH  BARONOWSKI

'Don't Be Another Summer Statistic' is the message NSW Police are giving Hunter residents as the weather starts to heat up.

While the hotter season is usually a time to celebrate and relax, police say it can also be a period rife with tragic accidents. This time last year, there were a total of 41 drowning deaths across the state as well as 75 deaths on NSW roads.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Troy Grant says as we head into summer, people need to heed police warnings and stay safe over the holiday season.

"Be smart about what you're doing. Be careful where you're having the barbeques, make sure you don't do some of the silly things that can lead to tragedy within minutes. These are the messages that I want everyone to heed," he said.

"All of those driving safety warnings are ones that we want you and need you to follow. It's not just your life you're saving, it's other people's lives as well."

Police have issued four steps that people can take to protect themselves and their families over the next few months: Be aware of what to do and who to call in an emergency situation. Plan ahead by trimming trees, clearing drains and getting your property ready for the hot season. Know your risk and the consequences of your actions. And most importantly, look out for each other. 

Troy Grant says if people follow these steps and act responsibly, countless lives could be saved this season.

"Ultimately, it comes down to individual responsibility and the key fact is we have to look after each other. We've got to look out for each other and if we do that, some of those tragedies can and will be avoided.

"If you don't do it for your family if you don't do it for your community, do it for yourself and please enjoy the summer. Let's not let it end in heartbreak."

Belmont Baths Design Milestone

BY MATT JOHNSTON

The re-establishment of the Belmont Baths is one step closer to becoming a reality, with Lake Macquarie City Council completing a new concept design for the swimming and recreation area. The former facility was destroyed during the superstorm in 2015.

In April, council voted to build a new jetty and protected swimming enclosure to replace the damaged infrastructure. Council's acting Manager of Community Planning, Wes Hain, says they've recently reached the "milestone" of approving a concept design for the new project.

The concept design will be used during consultation periods with the project's stakeholders, including members of the community and contractors.  The vision for the project includes a 70-metre-long swimming enclosure, an access ramp to deep water, a new jetty, and more accessible amenities.

"Accessibility was a key aspect of the design as we want the new Belmont Baths to be a space that all members of our community can use and enjoy," says Mr Hain.

Early cost estimates put the bill at approximately $700,000, some of which council hopes to have subsidised. Council project officer David Middleton says they're "seeking extra funds for the amenities work, which we're confident we'll be successful with those [applications]".

Work is expected to commence in the second half of 2018, with the project expected to be completed in time for Christmas.

The Snakes Are Slithering in the Hunter

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Snakes have been slithering around Newcastle and the Hunter one month earlier than usual.

In the Hunter, brown snakes are the most common, and right now they're on the hunt for food and a mate.

It's prompted renewed calls for Hunter residents to be smart around snakes - 23 of the 35 people who died from a snake bite between 2000 and 2016 in Australia were bitten by a brown snake.

Image Australian Reptile Park

They've been seen in the most unusual of places, most recently a 1.5 metre brown turned up for breakfast at a cafe in Stockton. They've also been caught on camera in inner-city car parks and frequently in residential areas.

"It's coming into breeding season so that's why we're seeing a lot of male to male combat, more snakes in people's local areas than before and the activity level at the moment is just really really high for a number of reasons including food and mating season," said Dan Rumsey from the Australian Reptile Park.

While snakes will defend themselves if they have to, Dan says it's really a last resort and they'll only bite if they're provoked or hassled.

"The majority of snake bites in Australia come from one of two things and that's people trying to kill or catch them so the key thing is if you don't do either of those two you're going to limit your chances of being bitten by a snake dramatically."

He also said even the fastest snake in the world only gets to 14km/hr, so they're not coming out of hiding just to chase you.

"Granddad used to tell you brown snakes will chase you, try to bite through your car to get you. They don't operate like that at all. Most of the guys who work here have been catching snakes from since they were 7 or 8 years old - I've never had a snake chase me in my life so I promise you it won't happen," said Dan.

Lake Macquarie State's Most Dangerous Lake

By MATT JOHNSTON

Research from the Royal Life Saving Society shows Lake Macquarie is the deadliest lake in the state. Over the last 15 years, 10 lives have been lost on the water, making it the 8^th most lethal inland waterway in New South Wales.

The report on inland water safety shows rivers and lakes being responsible for almost twice the number of drowning deaths as beaches and harbours in the last year. For Lake Macquarie, the number of people involved in boating accidents is a factor in its position on the list.

“We see a lot of boating incidents on Lake Macquarie,” says Royal Life Saving’s national manager of research and policy Amy Peden. “Our research shows that these boating incidents can take multiple lives in one incident.”

But that may not be the whole story. You’re 75% more likely to drown in local waterways than anywhere else. Amy says it comes down to “an overestimation of skill but underestimating the risks that location might pose”.

The report also shows that men are four times more likely to be involved in fatal drownings than women. Of those that died, about half had alcohol or drugs in their system at the time of the incident.

In response the deaths in inland waterways, Royal Life Saving and the federal government have partnered up to release the Respect the River campaign. “It’s about making people aware of the dangers, and how to recreate safely on our inland waterways such as rivers and lakes, including Lake Macquarie.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?list=PLbxkeHNlWQmydQpurGxbOOjnOqhhdzpgT&v=mQoXBTYtG08

Bogey Hole will be all good for Spring and Summer

BY JESSICA ROUSE and SARAH BARONOWSKI

Stabilisation works at the iconic Bogey Hole could be all wrapped up just in time for summer with another round of funds from the state government.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald has announced $240,000 for cliff stabilisation works which will start in September.

This last stage of stablisation works will make the completion of the $490,000 project to improve public safety and access to the site. The work over the next month will focus on the East End entrance.

"Focusing on the eastern end access road putting in some retaining walls and improving fencing and drainage - it's the last part of the major works  they will begin in September and work will take about four weeks," said Scot MacDonald.

He was out in the blowy conditions this morning to make the announcement and says the work won't impact the public's access to the swimming hole.

"The swimming hole will stay open during that time so when the whether warms up again - it's very blowy and very windy now though - but it'll remain open since its a popular swimming hole so it should be good for Spring and Summer."

Image supplied.

High Fire Danger in the Hunter today

BY IAN CROUCH and JESSICA ROUSE

There's a High Fire Danger for the Hunter today with temperatures expected to hit the mid to high 20s in some areas while unfavourable winds whip the region as well.

The northwesterly winds are expected to gust up to 50 kilometres per hour and it's prompted the Rural Fire Service to postpone the hazard reduction burns which were scheduled for the Hunter today.

The warm and windy conditions are expected to stick around until Friday.

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