Bats Return In Big Numbers to Maitland and Cessnock

BY IAN CROUCH

 As a federal government inquiry is about to begin into the Lower Hunter's bat problems, thousands of the troublesome creatures have returned to Maitland and Cessnock.

Hundreds of bats have converged on East Cessnock and Central Maitland  in the past couple of days.

The inquiry will look into the protected status of flying foxes and whether they should be de-listed.

Hunter MP, Joel Fitzgibbon has called for the inquiry and says affected residents need a workable solution.

"Well, I'm hoping to get everyone in the room together - those who are the scientists who have legitimate concerns about biodiversity and recommend protected species status for these bats and of course communities who are adversely affected to tease out the issues. I know there are challenges but as I've said in this 21st century, surely we have the wit to find a way through these problems," he said.

Joel Fitzgibbon

Major Hazard Reduction Burn Getting Under Way

BY IAN CROUCH

 Residents living around the northern end of Lake Macquarie are being told not to be alarmed if they see smoke in the area today.

A major hazard reduction burn is being carried out, with 206 hectares of bush being set alight at Fassifern and Fennell Bay in one of the biggest burn-offs locally in years.

130 firefighters will be involved with the help of a water bombing aircraft.

The hazard reduction burn is due to start at 8.00am.

BREAKING! Muswellbrook Home Destroyed In Early Morning Fire

BY IAN CROUCH

 Fire has destroyed a home at Muswellbrook this morning.

Firefighters from Muswellbrook and Aberdeen responded to several triple-oh calls just after 4am to find the single-level brick and tile home in Calgaroo Avenue well alight.

Newcastle Fire Command says the sole occupant and was found at a friend's home nearby.

Crews are still at the scene mopping up hot spots.

Police are treating the fire as suspicious.

Brisbane bus driver attack raises concerns for Hunter drivers

BY JARROD MELMETH

State Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery, is calling on the Transport Minster to address safety concerns raised by Newcastle bus drivers following the death of Manmeet Alisher, a Brisbane bus driver who died after being set alight when a boarding passenger launched an "incendiary device" at him. 

Drivers across the Hunter have been calling for improved safety conditions for a number of years following a string of incidents including a bus driver who was violently assaulted after ordering a 28-year-old man off the bus in Raymond Terrace for drinking alcohol on board in 2014.

The number of assaults on Hunter bus drivers has increased in recent years with reports of drivers being verbally assaulted, spat on or physically attacked. 

Sonia Hornery says everyone deserves a safe working environment and bus drivers have been subjected to increasing levels of violence.

"The Government need to be protecting our drivers much better than they are. Our bus drivers, particularly at night, are saying it's not safe for them, they're on their own and are at the whim of the best behaviour of commuters." 

Ms Hornery also believes with the privatisation of public transport in the Hunter pending, the Government needs to ensure safety is given priority as private bus fleets have been shown to have even fewer safety measures in place in their vehicles.

"The Government is just about to privatise and sell off Newcastle Buses so they need to make sure that our fleet is as safe as possible."

Richard Allsop from The Institute of Public Affairs wrote in the Assessing the results of privatisation report which assesses Victoria's Privatisation of public transport "Safety improved faster after privatisation than before privatisation for all classes of accidents."

Ms Hornery will be taking the issue with her to Parliament next week and will be writing to the Minister for Transport to seek a commitment to improving the safety of Hunter bus drivers.

Newcastle buses. 

Wallsend MP, Sonia Hornery.

Hunter Valley wildlife artist campaigning for those who can't

BY JESSICA ROUSE

Internationally acclaimed Hunter Valley wildlife artist Natalie Jane Parker is sharing her passion for Australia's most endangered species with the launch of her new book.

Australia's Endangered Animals aims to increase awareness of our most vulnerable species - the sad fact being many of them won't be around for younger generations to see.

Natalie's book features her stunning original paintings alongside interesting facts and figures.

“This beautiful book introduces some of Australia’s endangered animals. It aims to increase awareness of their and other animals’ plight and in turn help create greater respect and care for their habitats and environment. There is a natural, delicate balance that is disrupted when problems such as habitat destruction, disease and introduced predators push an increasing number of animals towards extinction. Disruption to this balance eventually threatens all forms of life, including human life.”

Natalie is spoilt for inspiration, residing on 50 acres in the Hunter Valley surrounded by beautiful Australian wildlife and the demand for her work continues to increase exponentially year after year. 

Natalie says being involved in this book has re-ignited her keenness to promote Australia's animals and their environment.

"I don't think there's a lot of hard copy books out there for the younger generations that need to know and learn about our endangered species. Its a nice copy for schools to get hold of, libraries to get hold of, so kids can read and learn about the different animals."

Natalie will launch her book at Morpeth Gallery tomorrow along with an exhibition running until Sunday.

For more info head to Morpeth Gallery's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/morpethgallery/ 

Calls to phase out coal loader in Carrington

BY JESSICA ROUSE

The Tighes Hill Community Group have written to the Port of Newcastle asking for Port Waratah Coal Services' (PWCS) Carrington Coal loader not to extend it's lease after 2024.

The loader has a licensed capacity of 25 million tonnes of coal per annum, and the group say it is an inappropriate location for such a high impact industry.

The PWCS recently celebrated the 40th anniversary of the loader, committing to a $60 million upgrade of the Carrington loader, much to the disappointment of the community group.

Tighes Hill Community Group Secretary Charlotte McCabe says the proximity of the loader to homes and families as well as the impact on their health is very unsafe.

"For many many years we have been raising concerns around the coal dust and the impacts we feel that's having on the health of people - particularly the children and the elderly living in the area - and obviously we've got concerns about climate change and we think this is an industry that needs to begin transitioning, and the end of this lease is the perfect time for that to happen."

The group say the anniversary is an excellent opportunity for port to show its commitment to a better, cleaner future for Newcastle, rather than an upgrade to the loader.

Hunter Police Launch Motorcycle Blitz

BY IAN CROUCH

Police will launch a major campaign in a bid to cut the high road toll amongst motor bike riders in the Hunter.

Nine motorcyclists have lost their lives so far this year on the region's roads, with 6 of those fatalities occurring in the 11 weeks since August 12.

Operation Silverstone starts today and runs until March 1 next year targeting popular motorcycle routes including Putty Road and Wollombi Road.

Police will use unmarked cars and Polair aircrasft to keep an eye on all motorcyclists in the Central Hunter, Hunter Valley and Lake Macquarie Local Area Commands.

Photo: motorbikewriter.com