MANNING CELEBRATES 100 YEARS OF RAIL

Hundreds of train enthusiasts and locals have joined in celebrating 100 years of rail in the Manning Valley.

A 1901 steam train performed a re-enactment of the first train arriving at the platform.

FULL STEAM AHEAD FOR RAIL CELEBRATIONS

It’s full steam ahead for this weekend’s Centenary of Rail celebrations in Taree.

Final tests were carried out today on one of the main attractions, following nine months of extensive repairs.

NEW RESEARCH CENTRE FOR PORT

In a major boost to education services on the mid north coast, Port Macquarie will receive a new food, soil and water research centre.

The Federal Government is chipping in $5.9-million to the project, which will be part of Charles Sturt University’s soon-to-be-built campus at Lake Innes.

The research centre will be a partnership between Port-Macquarie-Hastings Council and CSU.

It will replace council’s existing environmental laboratory on Koala Street.

MIXED OPINIONS OVER COUNCIL RECOMMENDATIONS

There’s divided opinions between the Greater Taree, Great Lakes and Gloucester mayors on recommendations made by an independent panel.

The formation of a new MidCoast County Council was one proposal discussed at a meeting today.

WEATHER UPDATE: ANNUAL SOLAR ECLIPSE

This Friday morning there will be an annular solar eclipse, for us it will be partial.

Annular eclipses are rarer than total eclipses. The moon is further away and doesn’t cover the sun completely causing a ring of fire to form around the moon which will seen in full over Cape York.

There’s a good chance it will be seen inland as coastal cloud and showers may impede viewing in the east.

Tomorrow will be a great day for the Hunter with increased warmth and sunshine. The shower activity will contract to the north mostly affecting the Northern Rivers and SE QLD. The coastal showers will spread back to the south along the coast during the end of the week.

3265 STEAM TRAIN ARRIVES

One of the special attractions headlining this weekend’s Centenary of Rail celebrations in the Manning, has arrived in Taree.

The 32-65 locomotive, which was built in Manchester in 1901, will be part of the re-enactment of the first train arriving at the platform in 1913.

It’s owned by the Powerhouse Museum and has made the journey from Sydney to celebrate the milestone.

Premier Barry O’Farrell and other dignitaries are set to attend the official ceremony on Saturday morning.

SUSPICIOUS FIRES IN FORSTER

Manning-Great Lakes police are investigating a number of fires overnight which are believed to be deliberately lit.

Emergency crews were called to a home on Godwin Street at around one this morning, and arrived to find the garage and rear of the house well alight.

A 51-year-old man and a 23-year-old man were inside at the time, but both escaped uninjured.

Police are also investigating two car fires along the Lakes Way at Forster, however authorities can’t confirm if they’re linked.

Anyone with information should contact Forster police.

WORKS UNDERWAY ON LAKES WAY

Greater Taree City Council is undertaking works to improve the safety of a stretch of road along the Lakes Way.

It’s been the scene of several serious crashes in the past month.

BULAHDELAH BYPASS ON TRACK

Roads and Maritime Services says the $315-million Pacific Highway bypass at Bulahdelah, is on track to open next month.

Over the coming weeks, work will be carried out on concreting the north-bound lanes, installing wire rope and guard rails, and erecting major signs.

Some top soil and landscaping works will also be undertaken.

The RMS is yet to set a date for the official opening.

HUNDREDS ATTEND MINING MEETING

The Independent Scientific Expert Committee will do an independent water study of the Gloucester basin.

The water study was just one topic discussed before hundreds of residents at a community meeting on the burning issue of mining.

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