| Last chance for the Giving Tree: ABC Newcastle's annual Giving Tree, which helps Samaritans deliver Christmas gifts to those in need, will wrap up at noon this Friday, December 20. You can drop off an unwrapped gift for kids and adults of all ages to our foyer at 1 Wood Street Newcastle West. Christmas elf Paul Culliver is ready to greet you!
Image credit: ABC Newcastle/Bridget Murphy
Desal plant underway: On Tuesday the first sod was turned on Hunter Water's Belmont Desalination Plant at the treatment works centre at Belmont South. Hunter Water says the project is a "critical step in securing the Lower Hunter's water supply". When Hunter Water applied to build the plant, it was revealed it would add about $90 to household's annual water bills in the region. It'll take about four years to build the plant.
Beach drowning: A 55-year-old man has died after being pulled from the surf at Catherine Hill Bay on Tuesday afternoon. Emergency services were called to the beach just before 3pm to reports a man had been pulled from the water and was unresponsive. Lifeguards and paramedics administered CPR but he was unable to be revived. A report is being prepared for the coroner.
Jesmond bypass milestone: Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon says the Newcastle inner-city bypass is due for completion by this time next year. Traffic has now been switched from the Jesmond roundabout to a new intersection under the future bypass from Tuesday morning. Ms Claydon says the Jesmond to Rankin Park section is a key link in improving traffic flow around the city.
Quarry approved: The Independent Planning Commission has approved a hard rock quarry in the Hunter. The Australian Resource Development Group applied to develop the Stone Ridge Quarry in a state forest at Balickera, about five kilometres north of Raymond Terrace. Concerns had been raised about traffic, biodiversity and air quality. The IPC approved it, with strict conditions that include specific heavy vehicle routes and the preparation of a biodiversity management plan.
High-speed rail update: The High Speed Rail Authority says it's hopeful the government will approve the project, once the business case is handed over in coming weeks. The authority received almost $80 million to deliver the business case before the end of the year, outlining the proposed route, station locations, as well as the cost and time frame. Chief executive Tim Parker says the business case is on track, and they've worked hard to make it a feasible project.
Four nil thrashing: The Newcastle Jets men's team locked away a much-needed A-League win at the weekend, defeating Perth Glory 4-nil in WA. Coach Rob Stanton praised his side’s strong performance, saying it was their best game so far this season.
Red card for Jets goalie: The Jets' women's 2-1 win over Sydney FC at the weekend has been soured by the red card suspension of their goalkeeper Danielle Krzyzaniak. The A-League review panel determined Krzyzaniak committed the offence of "denying the opposing team an obvious goal-scoring opportunity, as prescribed in the Laws of the Game" during the game in Sydney last weekend.
NEWRL Magic Round returns: Newcastle Rugby League has confirmed its "Magic Round" will be back in 2025, to mark the start of the season in April. It'll see five back-to-back games of footy played on a single day at Newcastle's Number One Sportsground. NEWRL general manager Adam Devcich says it'll be a family friendly football festival. | 