BY DAKOTA TAIT
The mass vaccination hub at Belmont is set to shut its doors on July 1.
Hunter New England says, demand at the former Bunnings site is waning, after almost a year of delivering COVID-19 vaccines to the public.
Around 271,000 of the 429,292 vaccinations across the region, were performed at Belmont.
A smaller clinic will replace the site at the Wallsend Health Campus.
BY DAKOTA TAIT
Police have launched an appeal to the public for information as they investigate reports a woman was sexually touched while walking in the Hunter region earlier this week.
About 5.30pm on Monday, a 27-year-old woman was walking between Robinson Way and Heather Place, Singleton Heights, pushing a three-year-old child in a pram.
Police have been told while on Heather Place, a man approached her from behind before sexually touching her.
The man did not attempt to touch the child.
The woman struggled with the man before she was able to free herself and leave with the pram and child.
Neither the woman or the child were injured during the incident.
Police would like to speak to a man who may be able to assist with their inquiries, described as being aged in his early 20s, with short curly brown hair and an olive complexion.
As investigations continue, detectives are urging anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam footage from Robinson Way, Gardner Circuit, Willcox Avenue, Heather Place, and Bridgman Road near the Wattle Ponds Road intersection, between 5.30pm and 6pm on May 16 to contact Singleton Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
BY DAKOTA TAIT
The Greens have made a last-minute pitch to Hunter voters, just days out from the Federal Election.
It's considered a real possibility the minor party could hold the balance of power from the crossbench, offering confidence and supply to the next Government in the case of a hung parliament.
The party's promising to address local issues including housing affordability, for dental to be included in medicare coverage, climate action, and a 10-year job-for-job guarantee scheme for coal workers through the energy transition.
Senate Candidate David Shoebridge says mining jobs won't stick around, and the major parties need to prepare today.
"It's remarkable that both other major parties seem to think that coal's future will go on indefinitely," Mr Shoebridge said.
"We know that's not true, and we need politics to be honest about this, but also ensure that coal-dependent communities and coal-dependent economies have not just a lifeline, but a prosperous post-coal future."
The party's pushing a six percent wealth tax on billionaires, as well as a crackdown on tax avoidance and subsidies for corporations, to help fund the policies.
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| Greens Senate Candidate David Shoebridge and Newcastle Candidate Charlotte McCabe. |
BY DAKOTA TAIT
Muswellbrook has been identified as the country's third worst postcode when it comes to air pollution, according to a new study by the Australian Conservation Foundation.
The organisation pulled the most recent emission data from the National Pollutant Inventory, collected from power stations, manufacturers, and mines.
Mount Isa topped the list, followed by Newman in Western Australia.
Six of the top ten postcodes for the highest air pollution also had a coal-fired power station or a coal mine.
You can take a look at the numbers in your postcode here.
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| Image credit: Australian Conservation Foundation. |
BY IAN CROUCH
Fire has caused extensive damage to the bedroom of a home at Muswellbrook overnight, which police are now describing as suspicious.
Firefighters from Muswellbrook and Aberdeen were called to the Tindale Street address around 7.45pm on Tuesday to find thick smoke coming from the single unit.
It took crews about 30 minutes to bring the fire under control.
Newcastle Fire Command says the occupant managed to escape before the fire took hold.
The 41-year-old woman was assessed at the scene for smoke inhalation, but declined hospital treatment.
The unit was significantly damaged, though the fire was contained to the single unit.
A crime scene was established at the site, with police launching an investigation into the causes of the blaze.
Anyone who may have information is urged to contact Muswellbrook Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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| The fire scene at Muswellbrook Picture: Muswellbrook Fire & Rescue |
BY IAN CROUCH
A man reported missing from the Branxton area earlier this week has been found.
71-year-old John Russell was last seen at the Branxton River Park on Monday afternoon and was driving a motorhome.
Police say John was found safe and well at a rest stop on Tuesday afternoon.
EARLIER:
Hunter Valley Police have issued an appeal for help to find a man who's been missing since Monday afternoon.
71-year-old John Russell was last seen at the Branxton River Park on John Rose Avenue.
He's believed to be driving a motorhome.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Singleton Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
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| Missing man John Russell and a motorhome similar to the one he's been driving |
BY DAKOTA TAIT
Newcastle's iconic Roundhouse building has been recognised on the State Heritage Register.
The former City Administration Centre, now a five-star hotel, is being acknowledged as a key example of brutalist architecture in New South Wales.
The building originally opened in 1977, taking five years to build.
Local architect Brian Suters, who worked with the original design team, nominated the site for listing.
