Firefighters Called To Bush Fire At Hamilton South

 BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters have been called to reports of a bush fire at Hamilton South overnight.

Newcastle Fire Command says they responded to a call to Henry Park at the corner of Beamont Street and Glebe Road at about 10.00pm on Wednesday.

A Fire & Rescue crew from Merewether arrived to find 10 metres of trees and grass well alight.

They took about 20 minutes to douse the flames.

No property was under threat and the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Man Charged Over Alleged Affray At Cessnock

 

A man has been charged following an alleged affray at a service station in Cessnock last month.

About 6pm Tuesday 28 March 2023, a 27-year-old man was at a service station on Aberdare Road, Aberdare, when he was approached by a 23-year-old man.

A short verbal argument ensued, before the younger man allegedly shoved and hit the older man several times in the head and chest.

Officers attached to Hunter Valley Police District were notified and commenced an investigation into the incident.

Following extensive inquiries, about 2pm on Wednesday, police from Port Stephens-Hunter Police District attended a residence in Farley, where they arrested the 23-year-old man.

He was taken to Maitland Police Station, where he was charged with affray.

The man was refused bail to appear before Maitland Local Court today (Thursday 13 April 2023).

 

 

Divide over the closure of Liddell Power Station

BY JORDAN REGNIS

The closure of Liddell Power Station is being felt differently, with environmental groups and politicians divided.

National's leader David Littleproud has expressed his disagreement over the decision while speaking with Sky News' Peta Credlin.

"We've got to look at the practical reality of what's happening and the reckless pace that we're going down, this renewable path," he said

"You need this thing called firming. If you don't have firming power to support renewables, renewables won't work."

The Climate Council has made a point of highlighting the station's unreliability and inability to produce it's maximum amount of power, having to be restarted 335 times last year.

Following Liddell's closure announcement in 2017, investment in renewables has spiked considerably, accounting for more than double the electricity output produced by Liddell across NSW.

Senior Researcher at the Climate Council Dr Carl Tidemann said the nation needs to look to new sources of energy. 

"The time is right to start retiring old and failing coal." 

A string of renewable energy projects for the state are already in the mix, including AGL'S big battery, which will have a capacity of 250 megawatts, along with the New England Solar Farm.

Police on the hunt for three men following reports of sexual touching incident in Scone

BY DANEIE GEDDES

Police are searching for three men who allegedly sexually assaulted an eighteen-year-old woman in Scone last Thursday. 

The police say the woman was walking past a park on the corner of Grundy Road and Kelly Street, when she was assaulted by the three men on Thursday 6 April at about 7:45pm.  

All three men have been described as being of Caucasian appearance, and of average build, with one having a beard. 

At the time of the incident, all three were wearing jeans, with one wearing a grey cowboy hat. 

They were last seen leaving the area in a light-coloured SUV parked on Grundy Road.  

Police are urging anyone with information which may help investigations to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Hunter regains GP Access After Hours Service

 BY EMILY WILLIAMS

Toronto's GP Access After Hours Service is being restored, Federal Member for the Hunter Dan Repacholi has announced.

The service will provide residents in Cessnock, Lake Macquarie, Morisset, Cooranbong, Toronto, and right across the Hunter with access to care from GP's and nurses outside of standard business hours.

Minister for Health and Aged Care Mark Butler has extended the hours of the Toronto polyclinic after they were slashed on Christmas Eve in 2021 amid funding cuts by the former Government.

The bulk-billed service is available to people of all ages and hopes to relieve some of the pressure on the Hunter's emergency departments and hospital wait times.

Dan Repacholi says this is an important first step.

"Still lots more work to do around more doctors and better access to bulk-billing, but we are working on it."

Image: Dan Repacholi

Newcastle-Born Artist John Olsen Dies Aged 95

 BY IAN CROUCH

Renowned Newcastle-born artist, John Olsen has died at the age of 95.

His works 'Sea Sun and Five Bells' and 'Life Burst' are hanging in the Newcastle Regional Art Gallery.

Mr Olsen was awarded the Archibald Prize in 2005 for his self portrait Janus Faced.

He is well known for his distinctive depictions of landscapes and nature.

One of his most well-known works is 'Salute to 5 Bells' which is hanging in the Sydney Opera House.

John Olsen was well known for his distinctive depictions of landscapes and nature

BREAKING! Two Men In Hospital After Crash At Salamander Bay

 BY IAN CROUCH

Two men have been taken to hospital after a high-speed crash at Salamander Bay.

Emergency services were called to Salamander Way at about 3.45am on Wednesday where a car had left the road and slammed into a tree.

The 39-year-old driver managed to free himself from the wreckage - the passenger, a 28-year-old man,  was trapped and crews took about 20 minutes to release him.

The men were taken by road ambulance under police guard to the John Hunter Hospital with non-life threatening injuries.

It's alleged the driver has outstanding warrants for breaching an Intensive Corrections Order.

Police say a quantity of the drug ice was also found in the car.