Firebugs on Notice: Penalties Increased for Deliberate Ignition

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Tougher penalties for firebugs are being welcomed in the Hunter, with the region's history of devastating bushfires - some deliberately lit.

Attorney General Mark Speakman has increased the penalty for starting a bushfire on purpose - it now sits at a maximum 21 years imprisonment, increased from 14.

The state's Sentencing Council is also being asked to review current non-parole periods and other arson offences under the Crimes Act 1900.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Scot MacDonald said he's been pushing for the change for some time.

"Cessnock suffered some pretty serious fires and risk to the township back in November 2016, from that point I started lobbying the Attorney General and the Premier to increase the penalties...so it's great they've come to the table," he said.

Meanwhile, with temperatures climbing into the mid to high 30s in Newcastle, Maitland and the Upper Hunter today, the Rural Fire Service has issued a total fire ban.

No fires may be lit and all fire permits are suspended, however gas or electric barbecues may be used carefully.

It's set to be hot all weekend, with scattered showers rolling in on Sunday.

Fatal Collision at Millers Forest

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Police have confirmed a 53-year-old man has been killed in a bad crash near Raymond Terrace.

Around 2 o'clock yesterday afternoon, a 4-wheel-drive and small hatchback collided head-on, on Raymond Terrace Road at Millers Forest.

The male driver sadly died at the scene, while a woman in her 60s driving the other car was left with multiple injuries and was airlifted by the Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious but stable condition.

Raymond Terrace Road was closed for some time in both directions.

Crash investigations are ongoing.

The Westpac Rescue Chopper on the scene yesterday afternoon. 

Water Safety A Priority For Lake Macquarie Council

BY HOLLIE HUGHES

Lake Macquarie City Council is expanding its water safety training programs in a bid to improve children's swimming skills and ensure that all kids across the city feel safe and confident in and around the water. 

While the council's swimming program is currently available to a number of schools throughout the city, the expansion is set to make the the program more widely available and increase engagemrnt and participation in school activites promoting water safety.

Manager of Leisure Services at Lake Maquarie Council Brad Sutton says the aim of the development is to reduce the number of deaths as a result of drowning in the Hunter not just in household pools but all waterways.

"We want to do everything we can to ensure kids across Lake Macquarie are confident and capable in the water."

The council is also investigating how to make the vital program more accessible for all families in the Hunter by looking into the feasibility of providing subsidised out-of-school learn to swim programs for children in lower socio-economic areas.

The announcement of the program expansion comes after data from Royal Life Saving Australia was released last week showing that 965 Australian children under the age of five have died from drowning in the past 25 years.

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Massive plans for Newcastle public school funding

By SANZIANA TIMIS

Labor has revealed a massive $19.4 million funding plan for Newcastle public schools if they win the next Federal election.

If successful, the funding will begin in 2020, and the schools involved will receive an average increase of $450,000 each, over three years. 

The Federal Government's has ignored signed contracts with NSW Government, resulting in  $14.5 million worth of extensive Liberal cuts beginning in 2017.

Labor has made plans to close tax loopholes, including excessive tax concessions that have solely benefited wealthy Australians. 

Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon believes that the shut down of Liberal tax schemes will increase the funding that is vital for public schools. 

"These cuts have meant fewer teachers, less individual attention and less support to help kids achieve their potential."

"Schools should be funded according to their needs. It doesn't matter what your postcode is, it doesn't matter how much your parents earn. You should have every confidence that your local school is a quality educational experience."

Parents and teachers can find out how much funding schools will receive at www.fairgoschools.com.au. 

                                 source:http://www.artel.com.au/the-junction-public-school/

B-Double Fire on New England Highway

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

There is traffic bedlam on the New England Highway north of Muswellbrook this morning, following an earlier truck fire.

A b-double caught alight near Burtons Lane around 4:10am, with crews managing to extinguish the blaze at about 7am.

Motorists are currently able to pass in one direction at a time, with stop slow signs in operation.

A tow truck is on scene, but Dave Wright from the Transport Management Centre says it is expected cleanup efforts may take a while yet.

"During truck fires, we get things like bitumen melting, and when bitumen melts it becomes unsafe for drivers and motorbike riders so often we have to re-pave the area it's burnt, it could be a diesel spill," he explained, "there often is a lot of elements to a truck fire over just extinguishing it and opening everything up."

The New England Highway is one lane only for a few hours while crews clear away the wreckage of a b-double. NSW Fire and Rescue and NSW RFS were called to the highway near Burtons Lane at Muswellbrook after the trucks breaks locked causing it to catch a light at around 4am. #2nm pic.twitter.com/bGuXTQQ572

— Jessica Rouse (@JessRouse95) October 31, 2018

- Jessica Rouse, Journalist 2NM AM 98.1

Newcastle 'Zombies' Warn of Climate Apocalypse

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Newcastle environmentalists have taken to the streets to warn of a 'total climate apocalypse' on its way if NSW and Australian governments do not lead a transition away from coal-fired energy.

Around midday, the climate 'zombies' made their way from Centennial Park to Fort Scratchley carrying placards saying "Climate Change Code Red" and "1.5 to Stay Alive."

That number refers to a recent report by the Intergovernmental Panel, warning of dire consequences for the atmosphere and oceans like the Great Barrier Reef, if global warming were to rise by just 1.5 degrees.

The march was organised by the Newcastle Climate Justice Uprising and Frontline Action on Coal Group - the same organisation responsible for multiple train interferences near Kooragang which resulted in dozens of arrests from local police.

It formed part of broader actions, in Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns yesterday for Halloween.

A Newcastle spokesperson said "even with the recent IPCC report on climate change, we have a federal government that's been unwilling to take a step in the right direction to reaching any sort of Paris Agreement or other emissions reductions targets."

Climate Zombies lurch down Hunter St. 

$25m of Investment for Port Stephens

BY CATHERINE ALLEN

Port Stephens Council will invest $25.2 million in major projects across the local area in 2018-2019 with the aim of improving facilities in the community.

Mayor Ryan Palmer says it's an exciting time for Port Stephens with roads, drainage, libraries, parks and sporting facilities set to benefit from the investment. 

"This year we are investing more than $25 million in projects for Port Stephens, from much-needed upgrades to roads and drains, to new paths, playgrounds and much more," Mayor Palmer said.

The funding is set to come from multiple sources including a price hike for ratepayers. Around $8 million will come from rates, fees, and charges.

The rest will come from other revenue sources such as $5.6 million in grants, and a combined $11.6m coming from Newcastle Airport dividends, developer contributions, property investments, and donations.

"This council has been proactive in seeking alternative funding sources to pay for the works, but there's only so much we can do without asking ratepayers for more funding to increase our investment," Mayor Palmer said.

"Our community has been asking for better roads, more pathways, revitalised town centres, more recreation facilities, and increased services - and that's exactly what we will deliver". he said.