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Authorities call for calm after three COVID-19 cases detected

Three COVID-19 cases have been detected in Port Stephens, including a toddler. The 1-year-old had been attending the Goodstart Early Learning Centre at Anna Bay. A student at Tomaree Public School also has tested positive, along with a man in his 30s. 

Hunter beaches ravaged by erosion

Six-metre surf combined with a high tide shaved metres of sand off some Hunter beaches this week, damaging infrastructure. Stockton Beach was again hammered by large waves, worsening its erosion crisis. And at Jimmys Beach at Hawks Nest, a large sand cliff now separates the local community from the water.

Central Coast houses in danger of collapse

Scores of residents at Wamberal have been forced to evacuate their homes, with several properties in danger of collapsing due to severe erosion. A powerful low pressure system off the east coast caused massive seas for several days, resulting in the erosion. While the community has grappled with the issue for many years, residents say it's the worst they have ever seen.

Rock quarry expansion approved despite concerns for koala habitat

The Independent Planning Commission has approved the expansion of a rock quarry at Port Stephens that will result in the loss of more than 50 hectares of koala habitat. The approval comes despite concerns from residents about increased noise, dust and the habitat loss.

Local woman unaware she was part of the Stolen Generation

A Hunter Valley woman says she was shocked to learn, at the age of 56, that she was adopted, Aboriginal, and stolen from the Karuah Mission. It has been 10 years since Aunty Judy West applied for her birth certificate, discovering her ancestral roots and that she had siblings she never got to meet.

Chopper pilot praised after crash at Port Stephens

Investigators have praised the actions of a pilot who made a hard landing of a waterbombing helicopter, which damaged the chopper but avoided any injury.
The pilot was taking part in firefighting operations in December when the accident happened.

What else made news this week?

• A local GP is urging people to wear face masks in situations when social distancing can't be maintained, including supermarkets, public transport and shopping centres. Secretary of the Hunter GP Association Dr Lee Fong says the wearing of face masks needs to be normalised.
• Police are investigating after a suspicious fire at a McDonalds restaurant at Cessnock. External play equipment and a dining area were damaged in the blaze.

• Hunter New England Health is urging people with new coronavirus symptoms to get re-tested, even if they have previously returned a negative result. A 34-year-old man who recently travelled to the Middle East is one of the latest locals to test positive to COVID-19 and is in quarantine in a Sydney hotel.
•  Notorious paedophile priest Vince Ryan has been released on parole from a Sydney prison after serving less than half his sentence for sexually abusing children in the Hunter region.

• Health officials say a family in the Hunter is in isolation after being visited by a man from Sydney infected with coronavirus. The 20-year-old man is also believed to be the source of infection for a Port Stephens man who has contracted the virus.
• Lake Macquarie MP Greg Piper says the preferred site for the region's new sport and recreation centre has lower environmental impacts. The State Government has announced Lake Eraring as the preferred site, about 1 kilometre south-east of the former Myuna Bay Sport and Rec centre.

• The old Maritime Museum at Honeysuckle will be home to a new bespoke Hunter Valley wine experience with a 50-year lease awarded to Hope Estate. The Hunter and Central Coast Development Corporation took The Wharf building to market last year with the aim of attracting a drawcard destination.
• The historic town of Wollombi will have added protection against bushfires next summer with the construction of a water tank. Wollombi was ringed by several large bushfires last summer, exposing the town's vulnerability.

What people liked on air and Facebook this week

Are there legal avenues for people affected by coastal erosion? The Hunter and Central Coast has been hammered by large seas with devastating consequences for a number of communities. Craig Hamilton spoke to environmental law expert Joe Wenta. 
Could cannabis be used as a cancer treatment? Newcastle researchers have found using a modified form of medicinal cannabis can kill cancer cells without impacting normal ones. Drive's Paul Turton spoke with researcher Dr Matt Dun. 
Have you noticed fewer coughs, runny noses and sneezing at your place? You are not imagining things. Dr Craig Dalton, co-ordinator of the FluTracking website, told Mornings' Kia Handley the drop in flu cases had been remarkable.
Civic Theatre to re-open. It has been closed since March due to COVID-19 restrictions, but Newcastle's iconic Civic Theatre will open its doors next week. 
Blood donations on the rise. The Red Cross says blood donations have soared since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic. Its Lifeblood service put out a call in March, worried that lockdowns and fear of the virus would keep people away.

Meet Central Coast journalist Mary-Louise Vince

Mary-Louise works out of our Central Coast bureau and says she loves getting to meet and talk to people from all walks of life. Outside of work, Mary-Lou likes hanging out with family and friends, baking and restoring old furniture. Favourite food? Don't get between Mary-Lou and a glass of bubbles and a good cheese platter!

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