Newcastle News

Port Stephens Councillor Jaimie Abbott has been endorsed as a Liberal candidate, for next year’s state election. The Liberals lost the seat of Port Stephens to Labor’s Kate Washington in 20-15. Ms Abbott was strongly opposed to her party’s decision to sell the Mambo wetlands. (NO AUDIO)

Plans for the remediation of a former gasworks site in Newcastle are edging closer to completion. Three decades after its closure, the community can now have a say on the final effort to overhaul the toxic site.

All he wanted was an apology. Instead, a church sex abuse survivor was today described as “rubbish” by a supporter of disgraced Catholic Archbishop, Philip Wilson. The shocking slur came moments after Wilson walked from court, spared jail for covering up a paedophile’s sins.

Surf Lifesaving New South Wales is considering holding its state championships at Blacksmiths Beach, until 20-20. The current agreement is due to expire in 2019, however the organisation has asked Lake Macquarie Council if it would support an extra year. The council currently contributes more than $150,000 worth of funding and services to the event, annually. Councillors will consider the request later this month. (VISION ONLY)

The contentious Fettlers Whitebridge development appears likely to remain three storeys tall. Lake Macquarie Council has refused developer SNL Building Constructions’ proposal to add a fourth level. Although council staff recommended an approval, councillors knocked it back, to remain consistent with the original Joint Regional Planning Panel decision. The council received 68 public submissions… the developer says it will await instructions regarding a possible Land and Environment Court appeal. (VISION ONLY)

Upper Hunter farmers in the grip of drought, say they’re confronted with make-or-break decisions almost every day. And while they’re very grateful for the public’s donations to date – more support will be needed until, and after, the rain finally comes.

Even as more and more Australians get behind our farmers, those in drought-ravaged areas are battling to maintain a positive outlook. Many from the Upper Hunter gathered at Gundy, near Scone this afternoon, with a rugby clinic the backdrop for discussion about the crisis.

A 23-year-old woman has been found guilty of robbing and assaulting Carolyn Holland, the wife of late test cricketer, Robert “Dutchy” Holland. The incident took place at Awaba Oval in 2016. Mrs Holland and her family emerged from Newcastle District Court this afternoon, saying they’re relieved justice has taken its course. Tiffany Pandel will be sentenced in Sydney on the 12th of October.

An application for a fourth storey to be added to a controversial development at Whitebridge will go back before Lake Macquarie Council tonight. It comes amid a four-year community campaign over the $23-million Dudley Road development. A residents’ group has accused Fettlers Whitebridge of “exploiting a loophole” in state planning laws to get an extra storey approved. The group will present its argument at tonight’s council meeting.

One Hunter tradie has come up with a novel idea to help those on the land. Cameron Waters put a call out on social media for fellow skilled workers to donate their time – and they’ve responded by the dozen.