Home Damaged By Fire At Charlestown

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has damaged a house at Charlestown.

16 firefighters from Charlestown and Tingira Heights were called to the single story hardiplank and tile home in Whitburn Close just before 4.00pm on Tuesday to find smoke issuing from the roof.

They took about 20 minutes to extinguish a fire which was contained to a bedroom.

All the occupants were accounted for and no-one was injured.

The cause of the fire is not known at this stage but it's not being treated as suspicious.

Fire crews managed to quickly contain the house fire in Whitburn Close Picture: Sarah Farley-Adams

Nelson Bay Man Charged With Breaching Public Health Order, Drug Possession

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A Nelson Bay man has been charged with breaching a Public Health Order, and drug possession, after attempting to cross the NSW and Victorian Boarder on Monday.

Officers were conducting permit checks at a checkpoint on the Hume Highway, Albury, when they stopped a vehicle about 9.30pm on Monday 3 August and spoke with the 49-year old driver.

The Nelson Bay man told police he travelled into Victoria on Saturday 1 August,  and did not have a current permit to re-enter NSW.

Police conducted various inquiries which revealed that the man had previously re-entered NSW on 19 July with his permit directing he self-isolate at his Nelson Bay home.

Further, it was established that he had breached the direction to self-isolate on 23 July, when local police conducted a compliance check and were unable to locate him.

It’s alleged that the man became aggressive and argumentative and, after he was advised he was being arrested, he resisted police and refused to comply with reasonable directions.

After being arrested, the man was taken to Albury Police Station, where he was observed throwing an item into a rubbish bin, which is alleged to be a satchel of cannabis.

He was subsequently charged with two counts of resist officer in execution of duty, not comply with noticed direction re s 7/8/9-COVID-19 and possess prohibited drug. He’s been refused bail to appear at Albury Local Court on Tuesday the 4th of August.

Newcastle Ranked as One of Australia's 'Best Performing Cities' in New Report

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Newcastle has been named as one of Australia's best performing cities, in terms of employment, investment and welfare reliance.

The ‘Goldilocks’ report ranked Newcastle in fourth place, in terms of economic and social indicators, out of 101 urban areas.

Geelong was rated number two in the country,and Wollongong eighth - all far above the metropolitan centres of Melbourne (23) and Sydney (25).

The cities are seen to have just the right balance of employment opportunities, industry diversity and amenity, without congestion and high cost of living.

Gateway Cities Alliance Secretariat and Committee for Geelong CEO Jennifer Cromarty said the report reaffirmed the advantages of gateway cities and the formation of the Gateway Cities Alliance.

“This report offers insight into the many economic and social benefits of Geelong, Newcastle and Wollongong, which have the potential to play a far bigger role in national development."

“This report is based on pre-COVID statistics but show that gateway cities demonstrate remarkable resilience over generations and in evolving economic conditions."

“This research reinforces the strong position of the Alliance cities before the lockdown, and places them well to play a crucial role in Australia’s recovery post-pandemic,” Ms Cromarty said.

Image Credit: City of Newcastle: NSW Government

Warners Bay Covid Clinic to Temporarily Stop Testing, Due to Huge Customer Influx and Traffic Delays

BY ISABEL EVERETT 

The drive-through Covid-19 testing clinic on Hillsborough Road at Warners Bay, is now accepting vehicles again, after services were temporarily stopped this morning due to a huge influx of customers. 

Traffic is now flowing in and around the Warners Bay area, however police are advising the facility can only accept approximately 20 vehicles at any one time.

Customers are advised, if the facility is full, to leave and return later. 

Police will continue to monitor and manage traffic around the area.

UPDATE! Health Alert Issued for Third Newcastle Venue, Lambton Park Hotel

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Health authorities have issued an alert for a third Newcastle venue, the Lambton Park Hotel, after it was confirmed a Sydney man infected with Covid-19 attended the venue last week. 

The construction worker in his 20's also visited the Wallsend Diggers & Mezz Bar and Hotel Jesmond. 

Anyone who attended these venues may be at risk of infection and you must strictly isolate at home for 14 days from those dates and be tested for COVID-19.

-          Hotel Jesmond on 29 July from 7-9pm

-          Wallsend Diggers on 29 AND 30 July between 9 and 11pm

-          He also attended Lambton Park Hotel on 30 July from 8 until 9pm.

Dr David Durrheim, Public Health Controller for Hunter New England Health also advises that if you attended these venues after these times, you are at lower risk so you do not need to isolate, however, please look out for symptoms and get tested immediately if you develop any, even if mild.  

The venues have now been thoroughly cleaned so there is no ongoing risk.

Yesterday NSW Health announced the second Sydney visitor who attended Toronto Court House on 27 July, between 7am and 2pm.

“The gentleman stayed at a private residence and all of his close contacts have been identified and are in isolation, so there is no ongoing risk to the community,” said Dr Durrheim.

As a precaution, anyone who attended the Toronto Court House at those times should be alert for any symptoms and should even the mildest symptoms develop, they must self-isolate and seek urgent testing for COVID-19.

BREAKING! Woman Rescued From Cliff At Susan Gilmore Beach

BY IAN CROUCH

The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter has been called out to a cliff rescue at Susan Gilmore beach this morning.

A woman in her 30's was found on a rock ledge at about 4.30am on Monday.

She was winched to safety and taken to the Mater Hospital by road ambulance suffering exposure.

Newcastle Police are thanking members of the community who helped guide emergency services to the woman's location.

COVID-19 Alert! Visitors To Wallsend Diggers And Jesmond Hotel Urged To Self-Isolate

BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter New England Health has issued an urgent advice after a COVID-19 positive patient from Sydney visited a hotel and a club in Newcastle's Western Suburbs.

Anyone who visited the Hotel Jesmond on Wednesday July 29 between 7.30pm and 9.30pm, and Wallsend Diggers on Thursday July 30 between 7.30pm and 9.30pm is directed to self-isolate for 14 days.

The local Health Authority is still working to contact anyone who attended the venues, which are now undergoing deep cleaning.

Public Health Physician, Dr David Durrheim says it's vital anyone who attended these two venues at these times to self-isolate to limit the spread of the virus and to seek COVID-19 testing immediately .

"I encourage everyone to follow directions they receive about home isolation and quarantine, and maintain COVID-safe practices of physical distancing, coughing or sneezing into their elbow, and regularly washing hands," he said.