INQUEST INTO SINGLETON RAIL WORKERS DEATHS

The coronial inquest into the deaths of two rail workers near Singleton last July, has heard no one was looking out for trains when the men were hit.

Documents tendered to the court by investigating police show the men had worked seven shifts in the prior seven days, and were likely to be fatigued.

A government investigator said they should have delayed the work to daylight, and also needed better safety equipment.

NEWCASTLE CITY COUNCIL WANTS RAIL TO STAY … FOR NOW

Newcastle City Council has finally taken a stance on the GPT rail debate.

Councillors last night unanimously agreed to support retaining the line, at least until the state or federal government comes up with a better alternative.

COST OF CLEANING UP: LAKE MAC FACES RATE RISE

While home buyers are getting a reprieve from the Reserve Bank, anyone who owns property in Lake Macquarie is looking down the barrel of a rate increase of a different kind.

The local council wants to introduce another version of the Lake Levy, to continue to improve the health of the waterway.

HUNTER’S GAS POTENTIAL READY TO BE TAPPED

Sydney Gas has rejected concerns drilling for methane gas across the Hunter could jeopardise the water table and harm the environment.

It believes a major resource discovered in the region could supply Newcastle and Sydney for 100 years, and keep local prices steady.

FLOOD GATES KEY TO BETTER PRAWN CATCH

The Hexham flood gates are on the verge of being re-opened, in a bid to restore one of the most productive fish and prawn nurseries on the east coast.

Just a day after a poor opening to the Hunter River prawn season, fishermen say the environmental flows can’t resume fast enough.

AIRFORCE PUT TO THE TEST

The Royal Australian Airforce’s ability to deal with disasters and civil unrest is being put to the test.

Personnel have come under attack from militia groups and faced a number of emergencies during a defence force training exercise in the Hunter Valley.

EMISSIONS SCHEME TO AFFECT JOBS

The Hunter Business Chamber is calling on the federal government to give the Hunter more consideration when developing its new emissions trading scheme.

A report being finalised in the region has revealed that up to 30,000 jobs could be affected.

HUNTER FISHERMEN CAUGHT SHORT

Fishermen on the Hunter River have described the start of this year’s prawn season as very sad.

The fleet of almost 30 boats went out at six o’clock this morning with high expectations, but returned with a below average catch.

NEW BUS TIMETABLE STARTS

Newcastle’s long awaited new bus timetable has begun.

Operators say it could take commuters a little while to get used to the changes.

HUNTER ANGLING FOR COAG FUNDS

With New South Wales securing an extra $5-billion off the Federal Government, the Minister for the Hunter, Jodi Mackay says she’s working to secure a decent slice of it for our region.

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