| Tillies match confirmed: In the latest national sport coup for Newcastle, the Matildas will play an international friendly against Korea Republic at Hunter Stadium on Monday April 7. It'll come three days after they play in Sydney on April 4. Matildas defender Tash Prior says she hopes Newcastle football fans will fill the stadium with Tillies fever.
Photo: Newcastle Jets and Matildas defender Tash Prior (left) and Matildas assistant coach Mel Andreatta at Newcastle's Hunter Stadium on Wednesday. Image credit: ABC Newcastle/Bridget Murphy
Liddell demolition approved: The demolition and rehabilitation of the Liddell power station site in Muswellbrook has been approved by the NSW Planning Department. The state-significant development will result in the power station being demolished to make way for an industrial energy hub powered by renewable energy. The project received nearly 20 objections during assessment by the planning department, most suggesting the power station should be maintained so it could be restarted if needed. Approval was granted after several amendments to the plan, including the relocation of the asbestos disposal facility and a requirement for dust suppression measures.
Port Stephens DV refuge build underway: A domestic violence support group says a new women's refuge to be built in Port Stephens has been needed for a long time. Construction has begun on the $7.2-million project which will include six self-contained units linked to a main building. Port Stephens Family and Neighbourhood Services will be the service provider for the centre.
For family and domestic violence support phone Lifelineon 131 114.
Traffic lights for Adamstown: Traffic lights will be installed at the Adamstown Gates between February and June to improve safety in the area. There will be four lights at the Glebe Road and Park Avenue intersection, and another set of lights on the other side of the rail line on St James Road. The $3.3 million cost will be funded by the Newcastle City Council and the federal government.The traffic and rail lights will work together to better coordinate traffic flow in the accident-prone area.
Nuatali Nelmes resigns: Former lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes has resigned her role in council, stepping down after 16 years. Ms Nelmes is the second-longest serving, second female and youngest Newcastle lord mayor. She says she's ready for new opportunities.
Transgrid preferred HTP operator: A major Hunter Valley energy project has selected its preferred network operator. EnergyCo has signed a commitment deed with Transgrid for the operation and maintenance of the multi-billion-dollar Hunter Transmission Project. One hundred kilometres of above-ground transmission lines will be built between the Bayswater power station and Olney near the Eraring power station. The project is expected to be delivered by early 2028.
Surveying degree continues: The University of Newcastle says all courses within its bachelor of surveying degree are funded and will run as normal this year. It comes after concern from industry representatives and former students around the future of the degree, as the university made funding cuts to two key courses last year. In a statement, the university's deputy vice-chancellor Professor Mark Hoffman says all courses are funded and there have been no cancellations or withdrawal of any courses.
Clarence Town plans: The community can now have its say on future plans for Clarence Town, Dungog Shire Council Mayor Digby Rayward says. Councillors voted at last week's council meeting for the draft Clarence Town Structure Plan to go on public exhibition. The town is expected to increase by 650 dwellings by 2041 and the council says the plan outlines how it will facilitate such growth.
The Regal is back: The Regal Cinema in Birmingham Gardens is set to reopen its doors after closing five years ago because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The iconic community cinema will open for special-event screenings from July in a bid to encourage audiences to return. After 50 years as a cinema, it was closed in 2006 by the Newcastle council because of safety concerns before a seven-year community campaign led to it reopening.
Giants' big Hope: Newcastle netball player Hope White has been signed to the Sydney Giants for the 2025 Super Netball season. White was originally brought into the team this year as a training partner, but has been elevated to the top 10 to replace outgoing midcourter Gina Crampton who is expecting her first baby. The young wing attack climbed the ranks through the Newcastle Netball Association, eventually representing New South Wales and Australia. | 