Second council election for Singleton still up in the air

BY DAKOTA TAIT

It's still not known whether Singleton residents will have to head back to the polls later this year, after online voting crashed during the December council election and locked thousands of voters out.

The Electoral Commission says the outcome in Singleton, along with Kempsey and Shellharbour, could have been different if not for issues with the iVote system.

The Supreme Court initially heard the matter on Friday afternoon, but it's been listed for hearing on the 22nd and 23rd of February. 

Singleton Council says it's working with its legal team, with any cross summons and evidence to be filed and served by midday on the 15th of February.

Hunter koalas hoping for lifeline in Federal funding

BY DAKOTA TAIT

It's hoped the Hunter will get a share in a $10 million funding stream to protect endangered koalas on the East Coast.

It's part of a larger $50 million package launched by the Federal Government.

There's concern development and habitat loss, such as at the Brandy Hill quarry expansion, are pushing local populations to the brink.

Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley says the Commonwealth's committed to keeping the species thriving.

"When we restore and invest in koala habitat, it makes sense to do it where the koala trees are, where the corridors are," Ms Ley said.

"Where there are strong areas of habitat and we can actually act on a landscape scale."

Liberal Candidate for Paterson Brooke Vitnell is urging the Government to get behind efforts to protect habitats in Port Stephens.

Ms Ley didn't confirm money will flow into local programs, though they will be eligible.

Oakvale Wildlife Park owner Kent Sansom says they could do with the support, especially as the region bounces back from COVID.

"Obviously, we took a big hit internationally," Mr Sansom said. "We lost all our international visitors at the park."

"But local support has been incredible. Obviously, people can't travel overseas, so everyone just wants to get out, and what better place to get out than in your local environment and to be outside and pat animals, be educated about wildlife, and have fun doing it."

Oakvale's Tiny Tim met reporters on Monday morning.

Kurri Kurri power plant given the final environmental go-ahead

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Kurri Kurri gas plant has been given the final go-ahead by the Federal Environment Minister.

Sussan Ley signed off on the environmental impact statement yesterday.

It means Snowy Hydro can now move forward with securing a construction contract.

A firm date for works to start hasn't been set, but the Government expect the plant to be up and running next year.

Ms Ley says the project isn't just vital for energy reliability and affordability, but the economy as well.

"This project is about two things," Ms Ley said. "It's about jobs in the Hunter, the importance of jobs in the Hunter Region, particularly with the unemployment rate heading down."

"But this is also about the transition to low emissions technology."

Labor announced last week it will support the project, on the condition the power plant starts operation on 30 percent hydrogen, with 100 percent usage by 2030.

But Energy Minister Angus Taylor says it's a backflip, without much behind it.

"Labor has said what they're going to do, without a business plan," Mr Taylor said.

"It's uncosted, although we know the construction cost is going to go up by $600 million."

"But their overall project is uncosted - they haven't explained where the hydrogen is going to come from."

Federal Environment Minister Sussan Ley gave the project the final green tick.

2022 Hunter Junior Life Savers of the year announced

BY SIOBHAN HARVEY 

Two of the regions most promising volunteers have been awarded the title of 'Newcastle Permanent Hunter Junior Lifesavers of the Year' over the weekend at the Hunter Branch Age Championships. 

The winners were 14-year-old Briella Gyler-Dial from Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club and 13-year-old Taj Horadam from Redhead SLSC.

Monique Ramplin from Merewether SLSC was given a special mention and awarded a High Distinction for her efforts. 

Hunter Surf Life Saving president Henry Scruton said that local surf life saving clubs are about saving lives and building stronger communities and that the 2022 winners are the perfect candidates. 

"These young people are so impressive and are an asset to the surf life saving movement and to the beach safety of our community," Mr Scruton said. 

"The future of surf life saving will be in really good hands, these young ones have come in, had their interviews and have done extremely well." 

Mr Scruton said it is clear that the winners aspire to continue their work in surf life saving and keeping the community safe.

"They want to become IRB operators, drivers and patrol captains, they are really enthusiastic about the surf lifesaving movement which has thrilled us." 

Briella is working to inspire the next generation of lifesavers and advocate the importance of surf life saving. 

"Surf life saving is so important because lifesavers help prevent people drowning at beaches," she said. 

The awards at the championship were presented by Newcastle permanent's Swansea branch manager Brett Freebody. 

Newcastle permanent has had a long standing relationship with Hunter Surf Life Saving for over four decades and has just extended their support for the movement for another three years. 

"We have worked so well together because we are both committed to supporting our community," said Mr Freebody.

Source: Hunter Surf Life Saving 

COVID hospitalisations continue to fall across the Hunter

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Hunter New England recorded 855 new COVID cases today and no new deaths.

331 of those cases were from PCR tests and 524 were from RAT tests.

The health district is now caring for 49 cases in hospital, with one person in intensive care.

Across New South Wales, health has recorded 7,437 new COVID cases and 14 deaths.

This brings the State to 2,099 cases in hospital, with 137 in intensive care.

43.8 percent of adults have now received three shots of a COVID-19 vaccine.

 

Five COVID deaths in the Hunter over the weekend

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Sadly, five people have passed away with COVID-19 in the Hunter over the weekend.

A man in his 70s from Port Stephens died in Saturday's reporting period.

Three men and one woman also lost their lives on Sunday.

Three were in their 80s and one was in their 60s.

Three of the people were from Newcastle and one was from Singleton.

The Hunter New England Health District is now caring for 53 cases in hospital, with five in intensive care.

Singleton woman passes away with COVID

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter New England Health District has recorded 1,358 new COVID cases today and one death.

590 of those cases were from PCR tests and 768 were from RAT tests.

Sadly, a woman in her 70s from Singleton has passed away with the virus.

 

This brings the health district to 57 cases in hospital, with four in intensive care.

Across New South Wales, health has recorded 10,698 new COVID cases and 31 deaths.

This brings the State to 2,494 cases in hospital, with 160 in intensive care.

42.8 percent of adults have now received three shots of a COVID-19 vaccine.