Farmers welcome rain: An Upper Hunter farmer says the rain last weekend has come at the perfect time to prepare for the season's crops. The region experienced a drenching between Thursday and Saturday with 60 millimetres recorded at Merriwa and 120 at Cessnock. Merriwa mixed grazing farmer Ron Campbell (pictured above) says he's grateful he can get started on canola planting.
Image credit: ABC News/Sarah Gerathy
Container terminal a step closer: The Port of Newcastle is on track to develop a deepwater container terminal to diversify exports after a compensation figure was decided. The port will need to pay $13 million to the state to remove the controversial container cap penalties imposed on Newcastle when Port Botany and Port Kembla were privatised in 2013. The Independent Pricing Tribunal determined the figure, which was significantly less than previous estimates.
Super battery gets green light: The Australian Energy Market Operator has given the Waratah Super Battery in southern Lake Macquarie its tick of approval. All major battery and power storage systems must receive a generator performance standard approval by AEMO before operating. It means the 850-megawatt battery has met the standards required to provide power to the grid, if for any reason there is an energy shortfall, once the Eraring Power Station closes in 2025.
Stockton Beach holds up during east coast low: A coastal geology professor says Stockton Beach has withstood its first real erosion test after heavy rain last weekend. Professor Ron Boyd inspected the beach this week and says the 130,000 cubic metres of sand deposited there late last year to combat erosion had kept the beach intact. He says the project has been a success and wants to see it expanded.
Housing plan open for comment: The Port Stephens Council is seeking input on a draft strategy which aims to address the worsening housing crisis across the region. The council says another 20,000 residents are expected to move to Port Stephens in the next 20 years, necessitating about 11,000 new dwellings. The strategy explores options to support new housing developments and ways to increase housing density near town centres, such as allowing secondary dwellings and tiny homes on private properties.
Whooping cough cases rising: Hunter New England Health says there's been a rise in whopping cough cases across the region, with 69 infections recorded so far this year. It compares with just three cases of the highly contagious infection at this time last year. Public health physician Dr David Durrheim says case numbers are beginning to match pre-pandemic levels and urged parents to make sure their children are vaccinated.
Jets still on the market: Multiple groups are still interested in buying the Newcastle Jets, club chief executive Shane Mattiske says. The Jets's licence was terminated by Football Australia in 2021 but they've remained in both A-league competitions under a temporary consortium ownership. The most promising buyer, FC32, has pulled out of negotiations to buy the club, but Mr Mattiske says it's not the first time it's pulled out of negotiations and then re-engaged. He says the club is also speaking with other potential buyers.
Knights win in wet, windy conditions: Newcastle recorded its second win of the NRL season with a 30-10 win over the St George Illawarra Dragons in wet and wild conditions in Newcastle on Friday night. The Knights scored five tries to the Dragons's two. Jackson Hastings, Jack Cogger and Kalyn Ponga all impressed for the Knights in testing conditions. The club thanked the almost 10,000 fans who braved the conditions.
