Thursday 28 March 2024

PM Launches Solar Sun Shot Program At Muswellbrook

 BY IAN CROUCH

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese wants the Hunter to be at the forefront of solar panel manufacturing.

He visited the former Liddell Power Station at Muswellbrook on Friday to announce a $1 billion investment into the sector so more panels are made in Australia.

Currently, 99 per cent of solar panels on Australian rooves are made overseas.

The Prime Minister's office says the $1 billion Solar Sun Shot program will help Australia capture more of the global solar manufacturing supply chain through support, including production subsidies and grants.



First stage of Hillsborough road construction announced

 BY OLIVIA GOELDNER

The first stage of a 35 million dollar construction plan for Hillsborough Road at Warners Bay is set to begin construction next year. 

Upgrades to the 1.8 kilometre stretch of road from Newcastle Inner City Bypass roundabout to the existing duplication west of Crockett Street, are expected to take 18 months to complete depending on final staging arrangements. 

Stage one involves upgrades to the Crockett Street intersection, adding a set of traffic lights and duplicating 700 metres of road. 

Charlestown MP, Jodie Harrison has been lobbying for the upgrade since 2016 and says it will improve safety for motorists and pedestrians.

"With population growth, we know that we've had challenges on Hillsborough Road, and not very many years ago we also saw the tragic loss of a young girl. We're really focused on improving the safety and the congestion along Hillsborough Road," she said.

The first stage of the Hillsborough Road Upgrade is due to start next year




Wednesday 27 March 2024

Newcastle Council Pushes For High Speed Rail Stop At Broadmeadow

 BY IAN CROUCH

Newcastle Council will write to the Chief Executive of the High Speed Rail Authority to outline its preferred location for a Newcastle stop.

At Tuesday's meeting, Councillors supported a Lord Mayoral minute urging Tim Parker to make Broadmeadow the Newcastle stop for the High Speed Rail route, saying it's the only viable location in the Greater Newcastle area due to its strategic location and planned redevelopment.

However, this is at odds with a study done for the federal government in 2013 which recommended Cameron Park to the south of the M1 Pacific Motorway as the preferred option, due to it's proximity to the Hunter Expressway and Newcastle Link Road.

The study found it would be too expensive to put the rail line into Newcastle saying it would require long lengths of tunnels or the acquisition of many homes and businesses, which would come at such a great expense as to outweigh the benefits of a closer stop.

A station at Hexham was also considered, but the study said Cameron Park would better serve the population to the south-west of Newcastle's center and the Lower Hunter, once the Expressway opened.



Tuesday 26 March 2024

BREAKING! Large Yacht Destroyed By Fire At Nelson Bay

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed a large yacht moored at a Port Stephens marina.

Firefighters were called to the scene at about 7.30pm on Monday where the 70 foot yacht was well alight.

Crews were unable to access the vessel and an RFS boat was brought in to help prevent the fire from spreading to other craft moored nearby.

A boom was also placed around the yacht to contain 1000 litres of diesel onboard.

Police say the yacht has burnt to the water line and has sunk.

A fire crew remains on scene and it's expected a salvage operation will get under way sometime on Tuesday.

The cause of the fire has not been determined and no-one was injured.

Fire has destroyed a luxury yacht at Nelson Bay. Picture: Kearsley Fire & Rescue

 

 


Monday 25 March 2024

Four Teens Arrested Over Alleged Pursuit In Stolen Car Through Lake Macquarie And Newcastle

 BY IAN CROUCH

Four teens are fronting the children's court today (Monday 25 March, 2024) accused of leading police on a pursuit in a stolen car.

Officers began following the Hyundai Sonata at Argenton just before 11.00pm on Sunday - the vehicle had earlier been reported stolen from Warabrook

Road spikes were deployed on the Newcastle Link Road at Wallsend and the car finally came to a stop on Beaumont Street at Hamilton.

The driver, a 14-year-old boy, and his three passengers - two boys aged 14 and 16, and a 16-year-old girl were arrested.

The driver was charged with drive conveyance taken without consent of owner, police pursuit - not stop - drive dangerously, not give particulars to other driver, and breach of bail.

The two male passengers were charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner.

The female passenger was charged with be carried in conveyance taken without consent of owner, possess prohibited drug, and breach of bail.

 



 



BREAKING! Crews Battling House Fire At Islington

 BY IAN CROUCH

Firefighters are battling a house fire at Islington.

Newcastle Fire Command says crews were called to the single level weatherboard and tin roof home in Norfolk Avenue just after 11.15am on Monday to find flames coming from a side window.

Six fire trucks are at the scene along with Police and Ambulance.

Crews had the fire under control just before midday and managed to contain it to one room of the house.

A subsequent search of the home found it was not occupied.





Port Stephens Teen Banned From Driving For Hurrying Home To Use The Toilet

 BY IAN CROUCH

A Port Stephens teenager has copped a hefty fine and has been suspended from driving because he was in a hurry to get home to use the toilet.

Highway Patrol officers say they spotted a Toyota Hilux on Cabbage Tree Road at Williamtown on Friday night travelling at 145km/hr in an 80 zone.

The vehicle was stopped and the 17-year-old male driver produced a P1 Provisional Licence - he also had  two mates in the car with him.

When asked why he was travelling so fast he told police "I'm in a hurry to get home, I've gotta go to the toilet".

Police say the man had just left McDonalds less than 4kms away and was dropping off his mates before driving home.

He's been fined $2794 and has been banned from driving for 9 months.

Police pulled the car over on Cabbage Tree Road at Williamtown. Picture Traffic and Highway Patrol Facebook page