New Report Reveals Nursing Home Beds In The Hunter Are Going Unfilled

BY HOLLY FISHLOCK/ OLIVIA DILLON

A new report detailing the extent of staff shortages in Australia's aged care sector is shining a light on vacancy rates at facilities in the Hunter. 

Findings by the Committee for Economic Development Australia (CEDA) have revealed one in seven nursing home beds across the country are sitting empty. 

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery says she is extremely concerned about the under-use of local facilities, such as the Wallsend Aged Care Centre.

Workers say the Local Health District has kept 68 of the 98 beds at the Wallsend facility unfilled for the past two years, despite hospitals and other services in the region running above capacity. 

"Those in the later stages of dementia, or that need constant 24-hour assistance, that's the place to be for the kind of quality of care that people need," Ms. Hornery said.

"It's still remaining open to the public and I will be lobbying and continue to lobby to ensure it is open to the public. It's a state government funded facility, which is rare in the state, but it does mean that all of the staff are under a state award."

CEDA has proposed accelerating the recruitment of migrant workers in the care economy to free up bed block in hospitals. The report says the government must also find new ways to financially support the aged-care sector.

Sonia Hornery says the well-being of aged care workers needs to be a priority, if more local services are to thrive.

"It's very important to ensure that nurses are supported, and all staff in aged-care facilities," she said.

A government spokesperson said it had responded by funding an $11.3 billion pay increase for workers.

Power Out To Homes and Businesses In New Lambton

 BY IAN CROUCH

Ausgrid is working to restore power to about 150 homes and businesses at New Lambton.

A car crashed into a power pole on Bridges Road just before 7.30pm on Wednesday, bringing down power lines.

Police say the driver wasn't seriously injured and investigations into the crash are continuing.

It's not clear at this stage when power will be restored.

Have You Seen 15-Year-Old Emily Garton?

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Police are appealing for public assistance to locate a girl missing from the Muswellbrook area.

15-year-old Emily Garton, was last seen at a home on Wollombi Road at Muswellbrook at about 8:30pm on Tuesday the 3rd of October, 2023. 

Police hold serious concerns for her welfare due to her age.

Emily is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm tall, of a solid build, with brown hair, and brown eyes.

She was last seen wearing a pink crop top, blue denim jeans, and black and red joggers.

Emily is known to utilise public transport and frequents the Rutherford and Maitland areas.

Anyone who has seen Emily or has information on her whereabouts is urged to call police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

BREAKING! Man Arrested After Alleged Pursuit At Jesmond

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to face Newcastle Court after an alleged pursuit at Jesmond early Wednesday morning.

Police say the 42-year-old from Elermore Vale was driving a Holden Commodore and failed to stop for a random breath test on Newcastle Road at about 3.15am.

They gave chase with speeds allegedly reaching 90km/hr in a 60km/hr zone.

The man stopped his car on Cardiff Road at Elermore Vale a short time and tried to run from Police but was quickly arrested.

He's been refused bail charged with Police Pursuit not stop and breach of bail offences.

UPDATE - 5.00pm Kearsley Fire Downgraded to Watch And Act

BY OLIVIA DILLON and IAN CROUCH

UPDATE 5.00pm

Exhausted firefighters are gaining the upper hand on a large bushfire burning near Kearsley, with the alert level dropped to Watch and Act.

Improving weather conditions have allowed crews to slow the spread of the blaze, which has burnt through more than 195 hectares since it broke out near Allandale Street and Lake Road early this afternoon.

Although the flames threatened around 50 homes, scores of RFS and Fire and Rescue crews have managed to prevent any major property losses.

An evacuation centre is in place at East Cessnock Bowling Club, while residents with livestock can take them to Cessnock Showgrounds in Mount View Road at Cessnock.

The Australian Red Cross has also opened a register for people separated from their family, friends and loved ones.

People can go to the redcross.org.au website and take advantage of the Register. Find. Reunite service.

 

UPDATE 4.40pm

An Emergency Warning remains in place for a large bushfire burning south east of Cessnock.

The fire broke out in bushland near Allandale Street and Lake Road at Kearsley at about 12.30pm and quickly spread southeast fanned by strong winds gusting up to 30 km/hr.

It's now burnt through 195 hectares, with the emergency warning now extended to Ellrington as well as Abernethy due to spot fires starting to the east of the main fire front.

Several residents in Lake Road fled their homes as the flames approached their backyards.

The RFS says around 50 homes are under threat but there are no reports of property losses at this stage.

A strike force from Sydney is being supported by water-bombing helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

Another strike force made up of Fire and Rescue crews from Mayfield West, Lambton, Tarro and Belmont have now joined the firefighting effort.

The RFS says residents of Abernethy and Ellrington who have not left their homes, it's too late to do so.

Meanwhile an evacuation centre has been set up at East Cessnock Bowling Club in Neath Street Cessnock.

Also, residents with livestock can take them to Cessnock Showgrounds in Mount View Road at Cessnock.

Lake Road remains closed in both directions between Leggetts Drove and Allandale Street.

Another fire burning in the Wattagan National Park has burnt through 19 hectares and remains at Watch and Act for residents in the area of Mount Nellinda Road at North Cooranbong.

UPDATE:

An emergency warning is now in place for two townships in the Cessnock LGA, as a bushfire continues to threaten homes. 

Embers from a fire which broke out at Kearsley earlier today are being blown ahead of the blaze and are starting spot fires in Elrington. 

It means residents in Aberneathy and Elrington are in danger, and are being told to seek shelter in a solid structure. 

The fire is now burning in around 113 hectares of bushland.

At least four Hunter Fire and Rescue crews have been tasked to join the strike force working to control the blaze. 

EARLIER:

A major bushfire burning near Kearsley south of Cessnock has been elevated to Emergency Level Warning,.

The RFS says residents of Abernethy to shelter in place as it is too late to leave your home.

Dozens of fire crews are in the area around Kearsley Road and Kersley Selections Road.

It's understood at least one strike force force team is being deployed from Sydney.

There are reports from the fire ground suggesting flame heights are 20 metres high and through the tree tops in surrounding bush.

The fire has grown to 12 hectares in size.

MORE TO COME.

Two bushfires in the Hunter have been updated to Watch and Act status on Tuesday afternoon.

Residents around Mount Nellinda Road at Cooranbong are being urged to prepare their homes and families now, as a blaze on Gap Creek Road at Martinsville threatens nearby homes

The fire is currently 8 hectares in size and can be seen from the M1 Pacific Motorway, moving in a south easterly direction towards Morisset.

Meantime,

Several RFS crews are working to contain a two hectare bushfire near Allandale Street and Lake Road at Kearsley.

Winds between 25 and 30 kilometres per hour are reportedly sending the flames in a south westerly direction towards Abernethy.

A water-bombing helicopter is helping RFS crews to control the blaze. 

Kearsley Road has been closed to traffic.  

Appeal Launched To Find Young Man Missing From Rothbury

BY OLIVIA DILLON

Police are still searching for a young man reported missing from Rothbury. 

22-year-old Alexander Moore was last seen at about 8:30pm on Sunday the 24th of September, and police and his family say they are concerned for his welfare as he lives with a number of medical conditions.

Alexander is described as being of Caucasian appearance, 165cm tall, of a slim build, with blonde hair, green eyes, and a beard. 

He may be driving a silver 2012 Holden Commodore with NSW registration CV1-4LA. 

Anyone who has seen Alexander or has information about his whereabouts is being urged to contact Cessnock Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 

Firefighters Save Home From Going Up In Flames At Morpeth

 BY IAN CROUCH

Quick work by firefighters has prevented a house from going up in flames at Morpeth overnight.

Crews from Morpeth and East Maitland were called to Close Street just before 1.00am on Friday to find a car under a car port well alight.

They took more than two hours to fully extinguish the fire and managed to stop the flames from spreading to the adjacent home.

Newcastle Fire Command says no-one was injured and police are investigating the cause of the blaze.