Plus, a teacher's 'racist rant', waterfront apartments approved, and your early morning fog photos
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Fight to save Port Stephens koalas from quarry | |
| A group of residents from Port Stephens say a new report that warns koalas could be extinct in NSW within 30 years supports their call to stop the expansion of a local rock quarry. The Brandy Hill quarry wants to double production, but the project will involve clearing more than 50 hectares of core koala habitat.
The expansion is being considered by the Independent Planning Commission. Local landowners Leslie and Phil Moore met with Port Stephens MP Kate Washington on their property near the quarry site this week, and even spotted a koala in the trees (pictured above). | |
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Too white to be Aboriginal? | |
| A student at Singleton High School has complained about a teacher going on a "racist rant" during a class discussion on diversity. Alaura Fabian, from the Plains Clans of the Wonnarua People, says she was told by her teacher she was "so white" no-one would know she was Aboriginal. | |
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Hunter shorebirds snub artificial roosts | |
| A project aimed at giving migratory shorebirds a place to roost on their long flights around the world has failed to attract any takers in the Hunter. The floating plastic baskets proved more popular in Melbourne and Korea. | |
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Police under fire or PR war? | |
| Several videos have been released in recent days by NSW Police showing incidents involving officers being assaulted and attacked in the Hunter and Central Coast regions. Civil liberties advocates are worried the footage could inflame rising tensions amid the Black Lives Matter movement. | |
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Newcastle waterfront apartments approved | |
| A $59 million plan for new waterfront apartments at Newcastle's Honeysuckle precinct has been approved by the NSW Government. The Horizon Lee project will create 110 new homes overlooking Newcastle Harbour. The development will include a mix of residential apartments, commercial space and street-level retail. Construction is expected to begin within the next three months. | |
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Whale numbers looking good but counting was a challenge along Hunter coast | |
| Rescue organisation ORRCA held its annual whale census on Sunday and says numbers overall seem to be increasing steadily along the entire "humpback highway". But numbers along the Hunter's coastline are expected to be down in this year's census. (By the way, we loved this recent pic, above, snapped by Michael Cleary off the Newcastle coast). | |
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What people liked on Facebook and on air this week | |
| A foggy start to Tuesday: A cold, still morning made for some incredible pictures of fog blanketing the Hunter Valley, and our Facebook friends were keen to share. Stockton sand search starts: The NSW Government has commited $1 million to get work started on looking for suitable sand to restore the eroded Stockton coastline. Why Wollombi should be off-limits to coal mining: Hear an Aboriginal elder explain the significance of Wollombi and why mining is not wanted there. A chance to tinker and talk: Paul Turton spoke to Shaun Harris about losing friends to suicide and why he's opening his boat shed at Bennetts Green to local young men. Is an office romance okay? Kia Handley found out what to do if your co-worker asks you out on a date. | |
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What else made news this week? | |
| Monday: Plans to open a tourist helipad at Lake Macquarie's Trinity Point marina (pictured above) have been delayed six months due to coronavirus restrictions. It should open by early 2021. Concerns have been raised about the potential health risk to the Hunter from direct flights between Newcastle and Melbourne, just as Victoria's capital experiences a rise in COVID-19 cases. Tuesday: Two men ended up in hospital, one with eight stab wounds, after a violent home invasion at Hawks Nest. A Lake Macquarie organic waste processing plant has received more than 50 complaints from residents about strong odours. The EPA is investigating and has ordered the stockpile be reduced and covered. Wednesday: Police are vowing to fight plans to loosen Newcastle's strict liquor laws. Local political leaders are backing calls from the hotel industry to reassess the laws and reboot the city's night-time economy. The NSW Government says it has no time-frame for the closure of large residential centres in the Hunter for people with disabilities. About 80 people remain at centres in Stockton, Kanangra and Tomaree. Thursday: Plans have been approved for a $20 million data centre to be built in Newcastle, improving the city's connectivity and providing direct cloud access for local businesses. | |
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Meet Col Kerr, the man behind our camera | |
| Col Kerr arrived at ABC Newcastle three years ago and has helped get our local stories onto the TV screens of viewers across Australia. The former senior Sydney cameraman has been at the ABC for 35 years. He's worked everywhere from Play School to shooting the iconic Australian comedy show Mother and Son.
He brought us images from the Thredbo landslide disaster in 1997, has covered royal visits, and has even chased the former US President Bill Clinton through a Sydney park. Col can't start the day without a large coffee and says his favourite part of the job is that it's different every day. | |
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