Man inflicts self-harm during Charlestown arrest

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Newcastle Police have launched a critical incident investigation after an arrest at Charlestown Square resulted in a man being rushed to the John Hunter Hospital.

A 22-year-old man was approached by Police at a liquor store within the Square around 1pm, who came to talk to him about alleged domestic violence offences.

However the situation quickly escalated as the young man drew a knife and stabbed himself repeatedly.

Officers tasered the man in an attempt to prevent more self-harm, but he lost consciousness and was transported to the John Hunter Hospital in a critical condition.

The Canberra Street entrance to Charlestown Square remains closed, however the centre itself is open for business.

Councillor Concerns Over Newcastle Budget Spending

BY LAUREN KEMPE

The new budget for Newcastle City Council will include an $11.7 million increased expenditure on road resurfacing and $95 million on infrastructure, amongst other things.

It's decided a total of $21.3 million will be allocated to road improvement alone.

However, several local councillors have raised concerns over the lack of transparency with the government's spending and what is being left out in the current budget.

Deputy Lord Mayor, Declan Clausen says the new budget is balanced, but Independent councillor Kath Elliot believes the government is putting the money towards more self-interested projects.

'[Independent councillors] are very concerned that Council is moving into an operating deficit. Money is being pulled out of renewal activities such as bridges, footpaths, stormwater systems, waste management and parks and sporting facilities, and put into large budget items where we can't actually see where the money is being spent.'

Last night's Council meeting also discussed a push for a New Committee for Greater Newcastle as a way to join government, industry and community to better inform budget decisions.

Council says a main aim of the budget is to bring together these three factions in a non-partisan fashion, to form a unified voice that represents Newcastle's interests for Council spending going forward.

AGL announces huge upgrade for Bayswater Power Station

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A major upgrade is set to take place at Bayswater Power Station at Muswellbrook.  

AGL announced the plans this morning, which will see a $200 million dollar revamp of the plant and 90 jobs created during construction work.

The Bayswater revival comes as part of the NSW Generation Plan which aims to plug a projected energy shortage of 1000 megawatts expected to hit after the closure of Liddell Power Station in 2022.

When complete, Bayswater will power up to 100, 000 Hunter homes - and according to AGL, the improvements will come without added coal consumption or emissions.

AGL Macquarie General Manager, Kate Coates said the project will see modern, energy-efficient turbines installed to reduce emissions. 

"This work, which incorporates modern turbine design, will improve the power station's efficiency...This project will ensure Bayswater's upgraded units will be optimal by 2022 and will be ready to power-on until the closure of the station in 2035," Ms Coates said.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald and Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen announced the upgrade will be assessed by the Department of Planning and Environment.

"From the NSW Government perspective," Mr MacDonald said, "it's important that AGL has a plan to cover the retirement of the Liddell Power Station, and they've put that plan to the NSW government.

"It's quite a comprehensive suite of different generation," Mr MacDonald approved.

"Energy generation is changing; there's no doubt about it, it's complex, but I think we've got comfort now that AGL has put a lot of thought into this," he said.

Upper Hunter MP Michael Johnsen also spruked the economic benefits of the move.

"It's very important for our local economy and our electorate," he said, "...to be able to generate that base-load power for the state from the power-generating powerhouse of the Upper Hunter electorate is very important."

Image Source: Andrew Sario. 

Maitland receives Return and Earn machine

BY GRACE LANCASTER

Maitland residents will be lining their pockets with recyclables with the installation of their very first Return and Earn machine today.

The reverse vending machine comes four weeks after the Environment Protection Authority promised the deposit location after ongoing community concern over the lack of collection points in the Maitland area.

Those who wish to return their glass, plastic, aluminium, steel or liquid paperboard containers will be provided with the option of either receiving vouchers, payments or donations to charities for every piece they return.

Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald, said the machine will be well worth the wait.

"It's great to be underway, the first one in Thornton was put on site there today, it'll be connected up very shortly and New South Wales and the EPA will be announcing its commencement very shortly," he said.

Maitland MP, Jenny Aitchison, however, still has grave concerns believing the initiative won't be as effective as promised.

"My big concern is that it is half the size of the one at Medowie and Cessnock. I'm concerned it was built too quickly, we have had our community for three months waiting for this machine to arrive and it's a shame there's not enough of it."

Mr MacDonald thanked the people of Maitland for their patience noting his excitement despite Labor concerns.

"I'm disappointed the Labor party is still talking down Return and Earn, but I think the community can see through that, they're on board and it'll be used," he said. 

Ms Aitchison responded with disappointment at the liberal government's politicising of a local need.

"I've got people who can't afford subscriptions, people that can't afford to eat, and this little bit of extra cash would help and the government wants to make it some political point scoring exercise. It's really disappointing." 

Source: www.westernadvocate.com.au

Hunter Roads need more funding: Federal MP

BY JARROD MELMETH

Four key infrastructure projects in the Hunter have been highlighted as “desperately in need of support" in the federal Parliament on Monday.

Speaking in Parliament yesterday, Federal Member for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon highlighted the Glendale Interchange, the Singleton by-pass, the Muswellbrook by-pass and the proposed Cessnock Ring Road as being ignored by both State and Federal Governments.

The new rapid build correctional centre in Cessnock is a particular issue the Hunter MP has taken aim at as he believes there has been a lack of physical and social investment to support the growth from the centre.

Mr Fitzgibbon said a combination of population growth and lack of infrastructure in the region is causing headaches for residents.

"The Hunter is doing very well economically and our diversity continues to grow and our economy is continuing to grow as well but we have got growing pains and these projects, most of these projects have been on the books for a decade. People know of the traffic gridlock every morning and afternoon. We need to get funding back into these projects," Mr Fitzgibbon said.

Marauding Sharks Begin Feeding Frenzy On Escaped Kingfish

BY IAN CROUCH AND SAM ISAAC

Dolphin watch tour operators at Port Stephens say they're worried after packs of sharks moved in to feed on thousands of kingfish which escaped from a Hawks Nest fish pen last month.

Local fishermen say they've never seen anything like it as the sharks use their boats for cover before smashing through giant schools of kingfish.

However, the presence of the sharks has frightened off the dolphin population, with cruise operators unable to locate any of the aquatic mammals in their usual spots.

Similar shark activity occurred when Huon Aquaculture had a fish farm damaged during rough seas in January this year.

Due to the damage, around 20,000 kingfish escaped the sea cage, causing sharks to flock to the area and the new shark presence has sparked concerns over a second breach.

Huon Aquaculture has not confirmed a second breach, stating that they do not give out "commercially sensitive information."

The New South Wales government's DPI Fisheries (Department of Primary Industries) shares ownership of the fish farms with Huon Aquaculture making an objective investigation into the matter impossible for the government to provide.

Chairman of the Marine Parks Association Frank Future is calling for an independent inquiry as well as more oversight of the company.

Mr. Future also says the manager for Huon Aquaculture was sacked, though the reason for that is unknown.

The environmental impact, Mr. Future says, has been visible almost immediately after the shark's arrival, with less and less fish and dolphins staying in the area.

Despite the release of about 20,000 fish and the new shark population prevalent in the ecosystem, no environmental impact assessment has been attempted thus far.

Packs of Great Whites, Tiger and Bull Sharks Have Been Feasting On Escaped Kingfish

Carrington Coal Terminal Could Be Moved

BY IAN CROUCH

The Carrington Coal Terminal could be moved to allow for more tourism opportunities.

The idea is being put forward in a Planning Department blueprint called the Greater Newcastle Metropolitan Plan.

It's looking at shifting the coal and bulk fuel storage facilities to make way for alternatives uses, including tourism.

The Tighes Hill Community Group is welcoming the draft plan saying it makes sense to concentrate coal export facilities at Kooragang, however Port Waratah Coal Services which has a lease on the Carrington site until 2024 says its very surprised and concerned by the move.

However a Port of Newcastle spokesperson says the section of the draft plan which refers to relocating the Carrington Terminal is a mistake and they've written to the Planning Department to have the error corrected in the final plan.

Will Carrington Coal Terminal Be Moved? Picture: theherald.com.au

Aged care crisis leaving Novocastrians in the lurch

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Federal Member for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon has addressed parliament about a looming crisis in the aged care industry which will affect Hunter residents.

100,000 older Australians are waiting to access home care packages they've already been approved for, including 80,000 with high care needs or dementia.

NSW has the longest waiting list in the country, which is only set to get worse in the future.

Sharon Claydon said it's despicable one Novocastrian man was forced to call her office to discuss the issue after receiving no response from the government.

"My office is getting harrowing calls about the implications of these waiting lists," she said, "I've had one gentleman contact me who was just at his wit's end. 

"He'd done everything he could," Ms Claydon continued, "after waiting a year for a high-level care package to become available for his 90-year-old mother - he had nowhere else to turn to." 

The MP said the Novocastrian man's story was just one of many families struggling to look after their elderly members. 

"The government needs to understand the very real human consequences of their inaction...they've been marked down as a 'fail, fail, fail' in my view," she said.

Ms Claydon spoke on the issue in parliament yesterday, and was surprised to see no government ministers listed to address the matter during proceedings. 

However, the Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt, happened to be in chambers at the time and responded to Ms Claydon's address. 

"Regretfully, the Minister's response was that it's a complex issue," the MP explained, "...well that is your job. That's your portfolio...you've sat on the news of waiting list times for aged-care in-home packages for 12 months.

"Only now have you bothered to share that news with the public." 

Sharon Claydon said the government's response to the 100,000 people waiting was to release 6000 additional places. 

"That's not even a drop in the ocean," Ms Claydon affirmed.

The Member for Newcastle in her address to parliament yesterday.

Man questioned over hammer attack at Mount Hutton; expected to be charged

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

Belmont Police are currently questioning a 54-year-old man over a suspected hammer attack at Mount Hutton last night.

It's understood the man may have broken into a home on Kestrel Avenue around 3am before striking a 59-year-old man in the head with a hammer.

The victim sustained non-life threatening injuries and was taken to the John Hunter Hospital. 

The man of interest was arrested at the scene and is expected to be charged with attempted murder later today.

Funding for lead contamination in Lake Macquarie

BY JARROD MELMETH

The NSW State Government have committed to providing $800,000 in funding over four years to help manage legacy contamination issues caused by the former Pasminco lead and zinc smelter in Boolaroo.

The smelter closed in 2003, leaving behind toxic pollution for surrounding residents who reported having levels of lead in soil significantly higher than the national health guidelines.

The funding follows the NSW Government's decision in late 2017 to adopt all 22 recommendations of the Lead Expert Working Group (LEWG) on managing residual lead contamination.

The LEWG was established by the Environmental Protection Authority in 2014 and handed down its report in December 2016.

Boolaroo Action Group spokesman Jim Sullivan said he welcomed the funding but fears it will be wasted on administrative fees.

"The things that the community have got to be aware of, is that we do not want to see this funding of eight hundred thousand being gobbled up by administrative charges at the Environmental Protection Authority and the local council yet again.

"They have not had a really good track record of managing this issue, and they have failed the community in northern Lake Macquarie and they have also failed the community of Williamtown.We do not want to see any more failures and we need to be part of the administration of that money to ensure that it goes to the right places," Mr Sullivan said. 

Lake Macquarie Mayor Kay Fraser said she is pleased to see the funding made available.

"We look forward to working collaboratively with the Government to implement the recommendations and we are grateful to both the Lead Expert Working Group and the Lake Macquarie Community Reference Group for their work in this process over the last four years," Cr Fraser said.

The site of the former Pasminco lead and zinc smelter.
Photo: The Newcastle Herald

Hunter Public School Principals Face Burnout

BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter Public School principals say they're struggling with their ever-increasing workload and many are facing burnout.

A Forum for Principals at Wests New Lambton yesterday heard principals are not just dealing with the everyday administration of their schools, they also have to juggle hundreds of emails and phone calls, demanding and troublesome students and parents with high expectations of their children.

Department of Education officials have promised to work with principals to help manage their workload.

Hunter Public School Principals Face Burnout Picture: Education Matters

Hunter Couple Accused Of Making Child Abuse Material

BY IAN CROUCH

A registered sex offender in the Hunter and his wife have faced court accused of making child abuse material.

The Herald reports the pair were arrested on Saturday and taken to Maitland Police Station where they charged with using a child aged 14 or older to make the material.

Newcastle Local Court has been told the man suffers from an intellectual disability and it's been recommended he be placed in protective custody ahead of his next court appearance on Wednesday.

The Fight To Save Our Coastline

BY TYLER FARDELL


When the proposal for Advent Energy to conduct seismic testing off the coast of Newcastle was approved by the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority, many residents and councillors were left shocked and disappointed.

Gas drilling has been a dirty subject for a while after it was shown how much damage has been done to our Great Barrier Reef and oceans health.

But now Advent Energy has been given the all clear to proceed with testing along the Hunter's coastline, much to the displeasure of Greens Councillor John Mackenzie.

"This is very much a backwards step", he said. "Drilling for gas here would be a burden on the community, economy and the environment".

Cr Mackenzie will be pushing for Newcastle City Council to request help from either the State or Federal Governments at a council meeting this Tuesday.

"No-one in Newcastle wants to see our pristine coastline ruined and it's important council takes a stance that reflects this".

Chevron Wheatstone Oil Rig in West Australia
Photo source; The West Australian

Mechanics Workshop At Lochinvar Goes Up In Flames

BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed a mechanics workshop at Lochinvar overnight.

Six fire trucks were called to Simply Works on the New England Highway just after midnight to find a large shed well alight.

Several gas cylinders inside the shed hampered firefighting operations.

It's taken firefighters about 2 hours to extinguish the blaze.

Fire investigators will comb though the rubble this morning to determine the cause of the fire.

Nobbys Beach Pavilion Upgrade

BY HANNAH SIMMONS

Community members disappointed with improvements to the Nobby's Beach Pavillion will gather tomorrow to send a message to Newcastle Council.

The Nobbys Action Group believe showering in a toilet cubicle isn't cutting it, after Stage 1 of the pavilion saw the approval of seven women's toilet cubicles and 5 men's cubicles, but no change rooms for people without children or disabilities.

Peter Wickham from the Action Group says the refurbishments have made the beach less appealing to swimmers and they'll convene at 9 to shake their beach towels as a sign of resistance.

Nobbys Beach Newcastle. Photo: Visit Newcastle 

Charlestown MP Takes Action Against Death Threats

BY SARAH JAMES

Charlestown MP Jodie Harrison has taken action after receiving death threats under her office front door in March 2017.

The threatening messages contained in two envelopes said "You are in TREASON, you will be hung until you are dead. No mercy, no prisoners. You are scum".

Ms Harrison immediately reported the matter to police, which led to police arresting disgruntled jewellery business owner Christopher Hardy.

"The reason I decided to press charges was because people come to me for advice on what they should do to stop behaviour that is unsatisfactory to them, and my advice is always to go to the police. It was important that I took my own advice," she said.

Hardy has since been sentenced to a maximum of 16 months' jail with a non-parole period of one year.

While experiencing intimidating behaviour is often part of the job, Jodie Harrison hopes this encounter will send a message to the public.

"It's important that everybody realises it's not satisfactory to threaten anyone."

"I'm very pleased that I've been able to make sure that the workplace for myself and my staff is a safe one," she said.

Jodie Harrison

Williamtown 'swept under the rug' still

BY HANNAH SIMMONS

Newcastle University Student, Jarrod Sansom has a personal connection to the ongoing Williamtown contamination saga after leaving the Cabbage Tree Road farm that has been in the family for six generations.

In 2015, it emerged that Sansom's family property was in the heart of a plume of toxic contamination.

He was devasted to watch his old neighbours suffer after being stranded on worthless properties, on a road that has recorded 50 cancer cases in 15 years.

Both Sansom's grandfather and three of his grandfather's siblings had all died after battling the disease which he later learned was not a result of genetics or family history, but environmental factors.

Sansom was given the opportunity to tell his story after attending a week-long summit in Canberra for the winners of ABC's Heywire competition, which allows young people living in regional Australia to share their stories.

In contrast to other issues addressed - such as mental health and Aboriginal affairs - he felt his story was one with a fixable solution however the nation's leaders are failing to see the significance of the issue and the effects it's having on residents.

Whilst being described as one of the "best weeks" of his life, SANSOM felt his story was just "swept under the rug".

ABC Heywire Winner Jarrod Sansom. Photo: ABC

Is the Hunters Recycling Industry Heading for the Tip?

BY TYLER FARDELL


On January 1st, The Chinese government stopped the import of recyclable materials and it left recycling businesses and kerbside pick-ups all across Australia struggling to maintain the current levels of recycling.

Already in Victoria some local councils have had to cut off some local recycling contracts and residents in some communities are being told to not use their yellow bins.

And here in the Hunter the first effects of the import ban are starting to show with recycling company Polytrade reducing the operation of their plant in Gateshead to a week by week basis.

Many residents are starting to get concerned they may be hit with an increased rate for the kerbside recycling bin pickup but Councillors are hopeful it may not come to that.

According to Lake Macquarie City Councils Director of City Strategy Tony Farrell, the Hunter is well-equipped to manage the situation for the short term.

"The Hunter has great recyclable waste facilities and the normal service of bin pick-up will continue as normal," he said.

"People should not be worried about an increase of rates at this time".

For the time being it seems everything will continue as normal, but council expects they will start to store glass recyclables very soon.

Mr Farrell is confident a long term solution will be found before the situation gets any worse.

"The worst outcome would be seeing recyclable materials end up in landfill and we're working hard to ensure it doesn't come to this".

Recycling plant in Gateshead
Source; GAP group

Vehicle search uncovers drugs- Kahibah

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A man has been charged with drug offences following a vehicle stop at Kahibah yesterday afternoon.

Around 4:30, a car was stopped on Burwood Road and police conducted a search of the vehicle.

They found drugs, believed to be methamphetamine, which have been seized for forensic examination.

The 32-year-old driver was charged with possession and for having an expired licence.

Cash-strapped couple arrested at Gateshead for producing counterfeit bills

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE 

Two people have been charged over the alleged creation and distribution of fake money in the Hunter.

A 20-year-old man and 24-year-old woman are accused of producing counterfeit $50-dollar notes and spending them at businesses in Port Stephens, Newcastle and Lake Macquarie.

Police caught up with the pair at a service station on the Pacific Highway at Gateshead on Tuesday, before arresting them at a pub across the road.

Their hotel room was searched, where police found numerous counterfeit currencies, mobile phones, tablets and machinery to produce the fake notes.

The young man and woman have both been charged with numerous offences, and will face Belmont local Court next month.

It comes after 41-year-old Terry Lee Johns handed himself in at Nelson Bay Police Station on the weekend for the same offence, after using counterfeit $50 notes at Lemon Tree Passage, Salamander Bay and the Maitland Regional Show.

Finks Bikie Arrested in Maitland

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

A high-ranking member of the Finks Outlaw Motorcycle Gang will face court today after being arrested following a vehicle stop in Maitland on Monday.

Around 7:40 Monday morning, police from Strike Force Raptor stopped a vehicle in Chisholm when a 32-year-old male passenger became aggressive and made threats.

He then resisted arrest and fled the scene, before being apprehended at Maitland Police Station yesterday.

He was charged with a number of offences, including resist arrest, assault police, intimidate police and offensive language before being refused bail to face Maitland Local Court today.

New Scam Hits Hunter Beaches

BY IAN CROUCH

Hunter beachgoers are being warned about a scam where victims are robbed of their mobile phones and then blackmailed to get them back.

Fairfax media reports a 19-year-old woman from Wangi Wangi had her iPhone 6 stolen at Bar Beach on Australia Day - she then paid $300 to get it back from the thieves.

A second woman fell for the same scam at Newcastle Beach two weeks ago costing her $400, while a Belmont man is out of pocket $250 after his phone and keys were stolen at Blacksmiths Beach.

Police are urging swimmers to report thefts and not to negotiate with the thieves who are described as being two men aged in their late teens or early 20s.

Lambton Post Office No More

BY GRACE LANCASTER

Lambton residents will have to post their parcels elsewhere as the beloved Elder Street Licensed Post Office ceased trading on Monday.

The closure comes just days after the operating licensee pulled the plug on their Georgetown site on the 9th of February, reportedly due to financial reasons.

Federal MP for Newcastle, Sharon Claydon, says the closing of both offices will substantially inconvenience residents.

"Post offices still play a really key role in our communities. They're a hub and gathering point for people and certainly for the older generation. They are often a central point of communication to the world", she said. 

Ms Claydon says she is currently in the process of discussing the possible reopening of the Lambton service. 

"We shouldn't let these important community services fold around our ears without putting up a good fight", she said. 

In the meantime, residents are encouraged to collect their mail from the New Lambton office on Regent Street, which is 2.2 kilometres away. 

BREAKING! Police Investigate Ram Raid At Kahibah Post Office

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE and IAN CROUCH

Police are investigating a ram raid at the Kahibah Post Office overnight.

Around 12:30am on Wednesday, a maroon Holden Commodore is believed to have reversed through the front door of the Post Office in Glebe Street before 4 people got out and stole some property.

Police arrived a short time later, but the Commodore and its passengers had already fled the scene.

Anyone who can assist police with their inquiries is contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Kahibah Post Office on Glebe Street. 

Fake Money Man Could Avoid Gaol After Confessing To Port Stephens Police

BY IAN CROUCH

It's been revealed fake $50 notes which were used to pay for goods around Port Stephens were such excellent forgeries, no-one suspected they were counterfeit.

In a bizarre twist to the story, the 41-year-old man who used the phoney cash could avoid a full time gaol sentence because he confessed to the crime of his own accord to unknowing authorities.

Terry Lee Johns handed himself in at Raymond Terrace Police Station on Monday after using the fake 50's to buy alcohol, soft drink and t-shirts the day before - he also admitted to handing over 6 notes at the Maitland Show.

Despite pleading guilty to the crime, being on bail and a good behaviour bond, he may avoid gaol time because owned up before police knew anything about it.

John's solicitor told Raymond Terrace Local Court his client could be entitled to the so-called Ellis Discount, which can lead to a significant sentencing reduction when an offender voluntarily discloses a crime to unknowing authorities.

Merewether Residents Up In Arms Over Plans For Sprawling Mansion

BY IAN CROUCH

Merewether residents are seeing red over plans for a massive luxury home in the beachside suburb.

A local businessman plans to partially knock down an existing home in Scenic Drive and build a $7.5 million mansion with 7 bedrooms, 2 swimming pools, maids' quarters with 2 bedrooms, a gym, bar, billiard room and rooftop terrace.

Nearby residents have complained about the size and scope of the development, with some saying it's similar in size to a block of flats and should be assessed as such.

If approved, the mansion would become Newcastle's most expensive home.

Council is due to hand down a decision next week.

Artist's Impression Of The Proposed Merewether Mansion Picture Courtesy theherald.com.au

Firefighter Injured While Battling Massive Bushfire At Putty

BY IAN CROUCH

A firefighter has been injured while fighting the massive 695 bushfire at Putty.

The Hunter's Westpac Rescue Helicopter was called to the fire ground just after 4pm yesterday to reports the National Parks & Wildlife firefighter had been knocked unconscious after a tree branch fell on him.

A doctor and paramedic team were winched down to the man where they treated him before he was winched out and flown to the John Hunter Hospital where he remains in a serious but stable condition.

Bus woes inspire huge community response at public meeting

BY LAUREN FREEMANTLE

"FIX OUR BUSES, FIX OUR BUSES." 

That was the sound resonating from the thousand-strong crowd at the Belmont 16 Footers yesterday, as community members gathered to protest the new Newcastle bus network. 

State Opposition Leader, Luke Foley joined Hunter MPs who addressed the crowd, calling for a state review of the privatised network. 

The meeting represents a culmination of weeks of commuter complaints to network operator Keolis Downer, and hundreds of letters sent to the Transport Minister from Hunter MPs on behalf of disappointed constituents. 

At the beginning of February, Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery made representations on behalf of Callaghan College students' families after the 870 service failed to pick up students from the school, leaving parents forced to leave work early to get their children. 

Keolis Downer Operator Mark Dunlop said the incident was a one-off event and he'd apologised to Callaghan College officials, however, Ms Hornery said the 870 was just "one example of a broader issue with the Newcastle bus timetable." 

Later in February, Newcastle MP Tim Crackanthorp described the network as "chaos," telling Transport Minister Andrew Constance that around 100 disabled workers at Hamilton's Access Industries are struggling to get to work after direct routes were cut from the timetable. 

The fight headed to parliament last week, as a Notice of Motion initially moved in September last year was considered; however, debate swept off course as a number of MPs began discussing Sydney roads and railways.

Fix Our Buses: the crowd at Belmont 16 Footers raise placards calling out Andrew Constance. Image: Jodie Harrison MP. 

Last night's community meeting comes after Keolis Downer yesterday released new Opal card data, revealing promising results for "key routes." 

High customer patronage was recorded on services in popular areas such as Charlestown, where the service to Queens Wharf recorded a 35% increase in patronage, while the Glendale to Newcastle service experienced a huge jump of 70% since new routes were introduced last month. 

It's this high patronage which is being put forward as a sign of encouragement for Transport NSW, as the state government say it's too early to conduct a system-wide review.

That's the message coming from Keolis Downer too, as Mark Dunlop believes commuters need to allow time for the network to "settle" before casting aspersions on the system which has delivered 1200 extra services to Newcastle and Lake Macquarie residents.

No state government or Keolis Downer representatives were invited to the public meeting last night, and disgruntled community members chanted "FIX OUR BUSES" as Parliamentary Secretary for the Hunter, Scot MacDonald took to the stage.

He says it's disappointing both sides of the issue were not presented.

"I was disappointed not to be invited formally," Scot MacDonald said today, "I turned up after asking, and was eventually 'allowed' to go, so to speak," he said, "I also offered to bring a representative from Keolis Downer to the meeting- that offer was not taken up.

"I think that was a missed opportunity. We could've heard from the people who designed the routes and heard what they're trying to do, and of course they could have taken feedback.

"Nevertheless," Mr MacDonald continued, "I'm not going to criticise the room for being very forthright...people went to the trouble of attending the meeting so I respect that."

The Parliamentary Secretary said there was "a lot of emotion" at the meeting as personal stories were shared, and he's happy to have heard it.

"Look, we've got work to do," Mr MacDonald said, "There was a call for review and I think it's a little bit early for that- we're only 4 or 5 weeks into the new system, but I think it's a reasonable request to keep looking into this and perhaps have a revue further down the track."

"I've since had the opportunity to convey some of those feelings to our Transport Minister and Premier...this is just the start of it."

University of Newcastle students embroiled in 'hazing' incident

BY JARROD MELMETH

A number of University of Newcastle students have been identified in online videos participating in a number of bizarre rituals called ‘Hazing’.

The sickening videos show new students being forced to take part in degrading initiation rituals. It is a custom most popularly associated with Greek Fraternities and Sororities in the United States where students are subjected to embarrassing tasks in order to pass initiation.

Newcastle University Student Association President Christy Mullen said the behaviour is unacceptable and the University must do more to rid campuses of this culture.

"The Univerisity and the Colleges need to put in place policies to make students more comfortable to be able to report this so those students that are the problem are dealt with.

"This behaviour is that bit by bit erosion of students personal boundaries. This behaviour is also what results in, and contributes to sexual violence and sexual harassment and assault," Ms Mullen said.

A UON Spokesperson said the University is appalled at the behaviour displayed in the videos.

"The University takes all allegations of student misconduct seriously and act swiftly to remove offensive behaviour from our campuses where it is reported.

Four years ago, the University took over additional management responsibilities of the residential colleges. Since that time, we have worked consistently to develop and implement targeted programs aimed at educating students and their support staff on the appropriate behaviours and our expectations of conduct in our community.

As well as the education and preventative measures, students found to have behaved in this way are subject to severe penalties."

Photo: Jarrod Melmeth

Hunter infrastructure must improve to capture Chinese tourism, the Hunter Business Chamber says

BY JARROD MELMETH

The Hunter Business Chamber says public infrastructure and mobile connectivity in the region must improve if we are to receive a share of the states $3.2 billion Chinese tourism boom.

The report, Getting Out There: Encouraging Chinese Tourism highlights the challenges faced by regional businesses in attracting those visitors and offers recommendations which can be adopted by Governments to capitalise on the Chinese tourism market.

Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes cited a lack of transport infrastructure to and from Sydney as well as the unavailability of high-speed broadband as the main challenges holding Hunter businesses back.

"Certainly, there is a growing number of the Chinese tourists that are coming to Australia who are independent travellers, who don't rely on a group tour for the entirety of their stay and who might find it difficult to get outside of Sydney. It is also about the quality of tourist accommodation when the tourist does get here.

"But, most importantly, we know from the research that they rely heavily on their mobile devices for communication and information and particularly in regional areas, we are not geared up as well as the capital cities are, in that respect to have information available but also have that infrastructure in place so that they can use those facilities that they are used to and comfortable with to be able to research their trip and make decisions about where they are going and what they are doing," Mr Hawes said.

Mr Hawes concluded saying that capturing the Chinese market is not as simple as just producing a nice brochure, but that "the approach needs to be multi-faceted."

Hunter Business Chamber CEO Bob Hawes. Photo: Newcastle Herald.

Happy Newcastle Traveller Gets A Lotteries Boost

BY IAN CROUCH

A Newcastle grey nomad travelling around Australia on a caravan trip might just do another lap of the country after winning the $100,000 first prize in the Lucky Lotteries Super Draw.

The man purchased a one-number entry in draw 10213 from Nextra at Westfield Kotara and staff from NSW Lotteries caught up with him by telephone after the draw this morning.

The Novocastrian, who wishes to remain anonymous, told Lotteries staff he had planned to fix the bearings on his truck today, but will hire a mechanic to do the work and celebrate his win instead.

The grey nomad couldn't hide his glee on being told the news.

"Woo hoo! Oh yeah. How sweet it is! You little beauty! he exclaimed.

Lotteries Luck Hits The Hunter