New Maitland Hospital opens to the public this morning

BY MIA GORSEVSKI

The New Maitland Hospital opened on Wednesday with new and improved facilities.

Set to replace the current hospital in High Street, the new $500 million hospital is focused on enhancing healthcare for the community into a state-of-the-art, modernized facility. 

Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison says it's exciting to see a bigger centre for the region. 

"It's close to doubling of the capacity of hospital beds in Maitland," Ms Aitchison said.

"I know having the cancer services there is really important for people and that will attract, as it already is starting to, other extra services that will come in."

The new hospital includes improved infrastructure and equipment such as a rooftop helicopter pad, chemotherapy chairs, and a cath lab for heart patients.

The hospital has also included negative pressure rooms, which are likely to prove helpful in dealing with the region's COVID outbreak. 

It's hoped the transition to the new facility will be a smooth one, despite the recent pressure on the medical system. 

"A big issue always is staffing and resourcing, it doesn't matter how large the hospital is, if the number of staff there are not enough to support the workload then that will be the issue," Ms Aitchison said.

"That's something we will be monitoring very closely."

Ms Aitchison says it's a day every single person in Maitland can be proud of.

"It is probably one of the most accessible local public campaigns in our state," Ms Aitchison said.

"It has really managed to ensue that the government follows the will of the people, which is to have a fully public hospital."

Image credit: newmaitlandhospital.health.nsw.gov.au

Hunter charity filling back-to-school backpacks for rural students

BY DAKOTA TAIT

A new Hunter charity is asking locals to donate, to put together backpacks and back-to-school kits for children in disadvantaged parts of the region.

The Backpack Venture was established last March in response to concerns that support programs for rural parts of the Hunter weren't up to scratch with those in the city.

They're looking for backpacks, lunchboxes, and stationary for students, as well as sanitary items for young girls.

Volunteer Colleen Mulholland says it would be great to see the Hunter add a donation or two to our shopping list.

"We're asking anyone just to supply anything that you can supply," Ms Mulholland said.

"It can be a simple ruler, pencil, sharpener, textas, drink bottles, lunch bottles, whatever anyone feels that they can afford to donate."

The charity are hoping to deliver the backpacks to local principals just before school heads back, with a target of 400 backpacks and 200 emergency kits for girls.

People interested in donating can drop items off at any of the listed locations:

• Stockland - Centre Management Office
• Stockland - Centre Management Office
• Salamander Bay Square - Centre Management Office
• Maitland Riverside Plaza - Centre Management Office
• Nova Air and Electrical - 161 Maitland Rd, Tighes Hill
• Sonia Hornery MP - 67 Nelson St, Wallsend
• Survivor's R Us Incorporated - 57 Pendlebury Rd, Cardiff
• R&R Property - 8 William St, Raymond Terrace
• Fibonacci Coffee - 29 Rutherford Road, Muswellbrook 
• Cessnock Plaza Newsagency - Keene St, Cessnock
• Julz Clothing - Branxton 
• Fingal Twilight Markets

Ms Mulholland says it's exciting to see the community rally behind the movement.

"When you hear those type of stories, you know not only us, but the community itself, is making a difference," Ms Mulholland said.

"And not just a difference to family members, but children, and these people are out future generation."

Image credit: The Backpack Venture

Police investigating hold-up outside New Lambton pub

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Detectives are investigating, after a man was held-up outside the Blackbutt Hotel in New Lambton around 4am on Tuesday morning.

The 42-year-old was approached by three men, one armed with a knife, who demanded his wallet and mobile phone.

They then went into the venue and attempted unsuccessfully to steal items, before fleeing the scene in a vehicle.

Police are appealing to the community for any information, including dashcam footage from the area between 3.30am and 4.30am that morning.

Four men pass away in the Hunter, with record COVID deaths across New South Wales

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter New England Health District has recorded 1,035 new COVID cases today and 4 deaths.

This brings the region to 108 cases in hospital, with seven people in intensive care. 

Sadly, authorities are reporting the deaths of four men, three in their 80s and one in his 90s.

One was from the Lake Macquarie LGA, one was from the Newcastle LGA, one was from the Mid Coast LGA and one was from the Tamworth Regional LGA.

Across New South Wales, health has recorded 29,830 new COVID cases and 36 deaths.

This brings the State to 2,850 cases in hospital, with 209 in intensive care.

More than 26 percent of adults have now received three shots of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Thousands of fish found dead in Throsby Creek

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Residents around Newcastle's Throsby Creek are concerned, after thousands of dead fish were found floating in the water in Wickham and Tighes Hill.

The Environment Protection Authority and the Department of Primary Industries say there's no evidence pollution or industrial discharge is responsible.

It's alleged critically low dissolved oxygen levels in the water are responsible, due to a build-up of leaf litter, as well as heavy rainfall and high temperatures.

But residents say they'd like to see further investigation into the issue.

There's also concern the dead fish could draw bull sharks into the shallow parks of the creek.

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp says the community's "extremely keen to see the reason behind [the fish kill]". 

"I've been contacted by a number of local residents living around the water, and they are deeply concerned, as am I," Mr Crakanthorp said.

"I know the community's very upset by this, and a quick analysis and an understanding of the issue would be very helpful for the Throsby community and Newcastle as a whole."

Image credit: Tom Mogus Wickert.

Police appeal after Bennetts Green armed robbery

BY DAKOTA TAIT

Police are appealing to the public for information, after an armed robbery at a Bennetts Green service station on Monday morning.

It's alleged four men, one armed with a crowbar, threatened a 22-year-old employee just before 4:30am.

One of the men jumped over the counter and attempted to steal cash, while another stole a packet of chips.

The group are described as being of Caucasian appearance, and fled in a silver Mercedes sedan.

Detectives are also urging anyone who might have dashcam footage from the Pacific Highway between 4am and 5am on Monday 17th January to contact police.

One death in Newcastle as COVID cases plateau

BY DAKOTA TAIT

The Hunter New England Health District has recorded 1,365 new COVID cases today and 1 death.

This brings the region to 111 cases in hospital, with eight people in intensive care. 

Sadly, a woman in her nineties from Newcastle has passed away overnight. 

Across New South Wales, health has recorded 29,504 new COVID cases and 17 deaths.

This brings the State to 2,776 cases in hospital, with 203 in intensive care.

More than 26 percent of adults have now received three shots of a COVID-19 vaccine.