Hunter Valley Wine on the Waterfront - Hope Estate to Redevelop Honeysuckle's Former Maritime Museum

BY ISABEL EVERETT

The former Maritime Museum at Honeysuckle will be home to a new Hunter Valley wine experience.

Hunter Valley winery, Hope Estate have been granted a 50-year-lease on the building by the Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation (HCCDC).

HCCDC took The Wharf building to market in late 2019 with the aim of attracting a drawcard destination.

Owner of Hope Estate, Michael Hope says it will allow new people to enjoy the offerings of the Hunter Valley.

"'One of the biggest challenges we face, the feedback we get, is people say we'd love to come up and try some of your beers but we'd need to organise a bus."

"Where as if we're actually in Newcastle, I think there'll be a lot of locals who say that's a nice afternoon or evening that we can spend going to taste beer and wine."

"We also think as a tourist destination, especially if you're looking at cruise ships or people travelling to Newcastle, it gives them a Hunter Valley Wine experience, if they're short of time and can't come all the way up the valley."

30 of Hope Estates own beers will be on tap at the venue, showcasing a wider range of local brews, with 12 on tap at the Pokolbin Estate.

A cellar door and function space is also included in the building design, as well as a casual dining kitchen.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter Catherine Cusack said that Hope Estate will create another great reason to visit the precinct.

“I’m looking forward to the vibrancy, activity and culture that this will bring to the area,” said Ms Cusack.

Mr Hope is hoping to have the building plans approved by Newcastle Council by April next year, and ideally open the doors by September 2021.

Hope at Honeysuckle follows HCCDC’s recent $4.7 million restoration works to repair the heritage fabric of the building, including significant underwater works to the substructure and reinstatement of an 817 square metre outdoor deck over the water.

Michael Hope and team will work with HCCDC on final designs and will apply for DA approval from City of Newcastle before works commence.

Three New COVID-19 Cases Detected At Port Stephens

BY IAN CROUCH

Two schools and a child care centre at Port Stephens will be closed today following confirmation of three new cases of coronavirus.

It's understood the cases are connected with a 60-year-old man who contracted the virus from a Sydney visitor.

As a result, Tomaree Public School and Tomaree High School are closed today for contact tracing and deep cleaning along with the Goodstart Anna Bay Childcare Centre.

All families at the schools and the childcare centre have received email notification of the closures with more information.

Port Stephens MP, Kate Washington says there has been a level of complacency when it comes to following restrictions.

"No matter where you are, everybody has to practice social distancing; everyone has to remain vigilant. I think there's been a period where we have all relaxed and thought that we might have escaped the horrors of this thing," she said.

Hunter New England Health is expected to release further details about the latest cases on Thursday morning.

Calls for State Government To End Confusion Over Travel, As Sydney Covid-19 Cluster Spreads to Hunter

BY SAMUEL BARTLETT

Labor MPs are calling for clarity around travel recommendations, as Covid-19 clusters in Sydney spread to the Hunter region. 

A 20-year-old man from Sydney infected with Covid-19, believed to be a contact of a cluster at a Thai restaurant in Wetherill Park, came into contact with a Hunter Valley family forcing them into isolation.

He also visited the Windsor Castle Hotel on July 13th in East Maitland, which closed for cleaning on Wednesday.

The man is also believed to be the source of infection in a 60-year-old Port Stephens man. 

NSW Health are advising against all non-essential travel, but travel bans are yet to be imposed.

Hunter Health physicians are also warning local residents not to travel to Sydney. 

“Gladys Berejiklian is telling residents in South West Sydney to avoid non-essential activities. Then she says people should carry on as normal. All while a Hunter health bureaucrat is telling people to avoid Sydney,” Shadow Minister for Health Ryan Park said.

“What does that mean for the rest of the State?"

“Should people in the Illawarra, where I’m from, avoid travel to Sydney? What about people from Wagga, the North Coast or the Blue Mountains? Should Sydney residents stop visiting regional NSW?."

Mr Park is calling for an end to the confusion and says clear and consistent messaging around new restrictions needs to be delivered.

“The advice from the NSW Government is as clear as mud. Are people free to move about the State or should they limit their travel?," Mr Park said. 

"If the health officials are saying to the government that they would like to see non-essential travel stopped then lets make that clear."

"What we don't want is confusing circumstances all around the state as to what people can and can't do. That's when mistakes happen and its where, inadvertently, people do the wrong thing."

Image Credit: Illawarra Mercury

Military Helicopters To Be Seen Flying Over Newcastle As Defence Conducts Training in the Area

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Military helicopters will be seen flying over Newcastle towards the end of July, with the Australian Defense Force conducting anti-terrorism training in the region.

Locals will be given the chance to see Australian Army MRH-90 Taipan multi-role helicopters in action, as they are used during training exercises. 

"The activity is part of regular, scheduled training, and is designed to ensure our ADF personnel are operating at the highest level of capacity to respond, where required, to support Australia’s national interests," the ADF said in a statement. 

Australian Army officer Colonel Brett Chaloner said ADF personnel were looking forward to the opportunity to train in the region.

“Defence does not get the opportunity to train in the Newcastle region very often,” Colonel Chaloner said.

“We are looking forward to using some of the facilities in the area, to assist our helicopter crews and personnel continue to build our world-class military capability.

“We acknowledge these activities may result in some noise disturbance for Newcastle residents, but it is essential to provide ADF personnel with realistic training environments,” Colonel Chaloner said.

The training will be conducted during the day and at night.

"The public should not be alarmed if they see or hear military helicopters, vehicles and military personnel carrying weapons. No ammunition will be used during the training," the ADF said. 

"People who see the training should not be concerned that any of the locations are under any form of actual threat."

All ADF personnel participating in the training will be screened for COVID-19 symptoms before commencing the training.

“Defence will not take any risks with the health of Newcastle residents, and for everybody’s safety we ask that if you do see or hear the training, please maintain your distance.

Image Credit: Australian Aviation

Singleton Waste Management Centre Closed, Staff Potentially Exposed to Covid-19 Case

BY ISABEL EVERETT

Singleton Council has closed their waste management facility until further notice, due to a staff member making possible contact with a person with a case of Covid-19.

Waste Management Facility staff have been sent home as a precaution with the facility to be deep cleaned today.

"The staff member became aware of potential exposure this morning and immediately informed Council’s senior staff. The only time the staff member has been at work since the possible contact was briefly this morning," Singleton Council said in a statement. 

"It is Council’s intention to return to normal operations at the Waste Management Facility as soon as practicable."

"Council’s highest priority is the health and safety of our customers and staff. We appreciate your understanding and support in these challenging circumstances."

Kerbside collections will continue to operate as usual.

Other Council facilities are not affected and continue to operate as usual.

Police Officer to Face Newcastle Local Court Over Alleged Neglect of Duty

BY ISABEL EVERETT

A police officer has been charged following an investigation into alleged neglect of duty.

In January 2020, an investigation was commenced by officers from a northern region police district after an officer allegedly failed to appropriately investigate a reported domestic violence incident.

Following inquiries, a male senior constable was issued a Future Court Attendance Notice on Tuesday 21 July 2020, for neglect of duty.

He is due to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday 3 September 2020.

The officer is currently suspended with pay.

Man Accused Of Child Sexual Abuse At Port Stephens Granted Bail

BY IAN CROUCH

A man accused of sexually abusing a young girl has been granted continuing bail in Raymond Terrace Local Court.

The 44-year-old Central Coast man, who can't be named, was charged with sexually touching a 5-year-old girl while staying with her family at their Port Stephens home in April this year.

He did not enter a plea to two charges and was granted bail on the condition he doesn't go within 5 kilometres of the town where the family lives.

The case has been adjourned until September 14.