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Fortunes turn for Hunter Valley winemakers 

Last year was a year of challenges for Hunter Valley vignerons as the Black Summer bushfires threatened grapevines and then the pandemic hit. Now, the smoke has cleared and lush green pastures abound, giving winemakers a renewed sense of optimism. 

Kangaroo population declines in NSW

The NSW kangaroo population is estimated to have plummeted by 4 million. An annual survey estimated there were 10.5 million animals last year, compared to 14 million the year before. It is a significant collapse since a peak of 17 million was observed in 2016.

Workloads for rural doctors and nurses are 'crippling staff, harming patients'

A NSW parliamentary inquiry is hearing grievances from families and staff about the delivery of healthcare. Stories shared include that of Myree Cruickshanks, who was diagnosed with a 5cm tear in her aorta. Despite surgery to staple it, she died at Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital. Her husband believes the workloads facing clinicians, and a lack of resources, contributed to her death.
 

Port Stephens homelessness rate sparks fear of tent city

A New South Wales coastal town has run out of options when it comes to finding a roof for its most vulnerable residents, a homelessness service says. Port Stephens Mayor Ryan Palmer said the delay in the construction of a housing estate near Raymond Terrace – which has been on the books for 11 years – was a major issue for the region.

Protesters gather in Newcastle as gas exploration company seeks licence extension

BPH Energy has applied for a two-year extension of its licence, which would allow it to start drilling an exploratory well to further test gas reserves off the coast of Newcastle.

Julia Lee was one of dozens of locals who took part in a protest at Newcastle's Bar Beach last week calling for the licence to be scrapped. "We want our children to have clean air and water," she said.

Rural family waits three months for cancer diagnosis for four-year-old child

At nine months old Claire Quade started suffering severe allergies but it took her parents, Lisa Masters and Tim Quade, a year to get a specialist's appointment eight hours away in Newcastle. And getting access to a local paediatrician was even harder.

While she did manage to see a specialist, Claire has only just made it to the top of the waiting list in Orange, almost four years after getting a referral.

A 'blue fleet' is washing up on the Hunter's coastline

ABC surf reporter Dave Anderson spotted several creatures at Merewether Beach, and wanted to know more. Speaking to Dr Lisa-Ann Gershwin, the director of the Australian Marine Stinger Advisory Service, the Breakfast team finds out what they are and why they are washing up on local beaches.

New Annual Festival: Microtheatre

As you wait for full theatres and big productions, how can you have this personal theatre experience? Microtheatre is how, and it's on in Newcastle as a part of the New Annual Festival. Kia Handley spoke with Kate Dun, the Microtheatre Festival director, to find out more.

Renowned baker Reece Hignell shares his story 

The Hunter is made up of people from many different backgrounds and life experiences. In ABC Newcastle Breakfast's Who Are You? series, we share stories of diversity and identity. In this episode, the ABC's Christine Sheridan speaks to Reece Hignell.

What else made news this week?

Facebook gags news: A Hunter Valley journalist says Facebook's decision to ban news content on its platform will result in a local community that is less informed. The tech giant has restricted publishers and people in Australia from viewing or sharing news content in response to a new media bargaining code. Senior journalist with the Singleton Argus, Louise Nichols, says Facebook's power was in reaching an audience that wouldn't normally consume news. 

But we're still here: Of course, you can still access ABC News directly through this newsletter (tell your friends!), via the ABC News app, on YouTube, and via our local website .

Attempted murder charge: NSW's Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad began investigating the case of a five-month-old girl in December after receiving reports she had been taken to a Hunter hospital suffering critical injuries. She was then taken to Newcastle's John Hunter hospital for further treatment. Yesterday officers went to a home in Cessnock and arrested a 26-year-old man who is known to the child. He was charged with attempted murder and faced Cessnock Local Court yesterday. He was refused bail to reappear before the same court again in April. 

Chemical manufacturer fined: Newcastle chemicals manufacturer Koppers has been fined more than $80,000 for three separate pollution events. Coal tar pitch fumes were emitted from the plant over two consecutive days in May 2019, and in October 2018 20 tonnes of material was spilled after severe storms caused a power outage. Koppers pleaded guilty in the Land and Environment Court. Port Stephens Koala and Wildlife Sanctuary was nominated as a charity to be gifted the $82,000 in fines. 

Police officer assaulted: A man has been arrested and charged with nine offences after allegedly assaulting a police officer. Police say Jacob Gribble, 20, committed a series offences on King Street in Hillsborough at Lake Macquarie and damaged sporting equipment. He was confronted by a home owner, who he allegedly tackled and punched in the face several times. Police say a female senior constable later tried to arrest Mr Gribble but was punched in the side of the head and suffered bruising and swelling to the face. The Charlestown man was granted bail in Belmont Local Court today under strict conditions. 

Honeysuckle Hotel development: The State Government has approved a $44 million hotel and office development in Newcastle's Honeysuckle Precinct. The nine-storey mixed-use development will include an office tower and hotel with a gym, bar, café and car parking. Planning Minister Rob Stokes says the 187-room boutique hotel is tipped to create 1,000 construction jobs and should be complete by 2023.  

Williamtown RAAF anniversary: Williamtown's RAAF base in Port Stephens is celebrating its 80th anniversary today. The base was set up in 1941 to protect the region's strategic port and steel manufacturing facilities. It's mostly used for air surveillance and maintaining the Defence Force's fighter Jets. The adjacent Fighter World Aviation Museum is celebrating its 30th anniversary. 

Lake Macquarie drowning: Emergency services were called to Wangi Point in Lake Macquarie last week after Marine Rescue found a woman alone on an out-of-control yacht. She was reportedly distressed about her missing partner. Marine Rescue helped to control the yacht and a search began for the missing man. He was found a short time later and retrieved from the water with the assistance of the region's rescue helicopter. The man, aged in his 50s, was treated by paramedics but died soon after. Police will prepare a report for the coroner. 

Motorcyclist dies: A 66-year-old motorcyclist has died after crashing near Gloucester on the state's Mid North Coast. Police say the Harley Davidson was travelling on Thunderbolts Way at Bretti yesterday afternoon when it left the road and went down an embankment. The rider from Queensland suffering internal and spinal injuries and later died while being airlifted to Newcastle's John Hunter Hospital. Police are investigating the cause of the crash. 

How's the weekend weather looking?

Newcastle residents will have a wet, wet weekend with possible showers predicted well into next week. Temperatures will reach 26c over the next few days before cooling down later in the week.

The best photos from around the country

The Hunter Valley gets a feature in ABC Australia's Pic of the Week this week! Contributor @debdeb_lee captured this magical sunrise from the hills above Vacy.

You can share your shots with us on Instagram using #abcmyphoto, or upload them via our website here. It's a chance to show the rest of the world what your backyard looks like. We already know there's no shortage of photo ops in the stunning Newcastle region! 

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