Hunter Coal Sold at a Loss

It’s been revealed more than half the coal being shipped from the port of Newcastle is being sold at a loss.

Research, commissioned by the coal industry, was given to ministers in Canberra as part of a push by the industry to overturn the Mineral Resources Rent and Carbon Taxes.

The Australian Coal Industry says the downturn has resulted in the loss of about 900 jobs across the country in just 15 months.

Boys Approached at Millfield

Central Hunter Police are searching for a man who approached two boys at Millfield.

Around 8.30 Monday morning (20 May) the two 11-year-olds were riding their bikes to school when they were approached by the man at the intersection of Wollombi Road and Third Street.

He asked if they would like a lift to school before offering the boys lollies and a puppy.

One of the boys told the man to go away and they continued riding to school where they informed the principal.

The man is described as being over 50-years-old with black hair and clean shaven.

He was driving a maroon coloured sedan.

Bowling Club Fire at Wickham

An early morning fire has destroyed the clubhouse at the former

Morrow Park Bowling Club in Wickham.

Fire crews were called to the timber and iron clubhouse in Railway Lane just before two a.m. to find the 50 by 20 metre building well alight.

About 25 firefighters took almost three hours to extinguish the fire, which also forced the closure of the railway line for around two hours.

Newcastle Fire and Rescue say five nearby residents were evacuated.

It's believed a candle may have sparked the blaze.

Maitland Rural Fire Service Control Centre to open by September

Construction of the new Rural Fire Service Control Centre at East Maitland is ahead of schedule.

The new facility will be the headquarters for 47 brigades across the Maitland, Port Stephens, Dungog and Cessnock council areas.

The $4 million development will now be open by September, with 26 staff and two thousand volunteers using the building.

RFS Superintendent Jason McKellar says Maitland is the ideal place to develop services in the lower Hunter as the geographic centre of the zone.

Workers strike over agreements

Industrial action will continue for the next fortnight following a workplace agreement dispute between Port Waratah Coal Services and it's workers.

The action is a response to the agreement, which workers say threatens job security, gives employees less say in shifts and limits avenues to resolve workplace disputes.

NSW Organiser of the Australian Manufacturers and Workers Union, Daniel Wallace, says workers are frustrated and disappointed at the agreement and hope the industrial action will make employers reconsider.

Forgacs workers have joined the action, walking off the job this morning over a pay dispute.

Forgacs says it is trying to remain competitive and sustainable for the future.

Registration Plate Anti-Theft Initiative

NEWCASTLE Police will today launch an anti-theft initiative aimed at reducing the number of stolen registration plates in the Hunter.

Free replacement and fitting of tamper-proof screws will take place today May 15th and tomorrow May 16th at Westfield Kotara between 10 and 2pm.

Stolen number plates are often used in other crimes such as robberies, petrol theft, and toll evasion.

Stoke Unit's 10th Birthday

The Belmont Hospital Stroke Rehabilitation Unit celebrates its 10th birthday this month.

The stroke unit is the only impatient facility in the Hunter which manages stroke patients care through to discharge, and is one of the top performing stroke units in Australia.

The unit is also a leader in research, receiving grants from the National Stroke Foundation and Hunter New England Health.