Koala population found: A new study has revealed a large koala population is living high in the treetops of the Sugarloaf State Conservation Area. Researchers from the University of Newcastle used drones and thermal imaging to uncover a little known colony of close to 300 koalas. Locals had reported sightings, but the full extent of the colony was not known until now. Lead researcher Shelby Ryan says the surprise discovery is all the more reason to protect the region's forests.
Image supplied: Daryn McKenny
Locals named on honour roll: More than a dozen Hunter residents have been recognised for their contributions to the community in the King's Birthday Honours list. Among the recipients, Gordon Leslie Gorton who served as a police chief inspector in Maitland until his retirement in 2002, received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM). He has also been recognised for 15 years service to New South Wales Health. Douglas Charles Saxon was posthumously honoured with an OAM for his service to education, local history and music.
Residents can't go home yet: Police say New Lambton residents impacted by a landslip are unlikely to be able to return home for several months. Fifteen homes have been impacted by the landslip, which occurred more than two weeks ago, forcing 39 people to find alternate accommodation. Residents have been told further examination by geotechnical engineers will be required to determine the impact of the landslip before structural assessments can take place. Assessment results are not expected for several months .
Water still undrinkable: The mayor of the Upper Hunter Shire Council says water levels in Aberdeen, Scone and Murrurundi still have not returned to normal and he is unsure when the town's water will be safe to drink. A boil water alert was issued last week after heavy rain impacted water treatment in the Glenbawn Dam catchment. Mayor Maurice Collison says until the water is back to acceptable levels, residents should avoid drinking it.
Former mayor remembered: Former mayor of Singleton John Martin has died at the age of 90. Mr Martin spent more than 50 years in local government, was elected to Singleton Council in 1965 and became mayor in 2012 at the age of 70. He retired in 2021 and is being remembered for his commitment and service to the community.
Dredge tender awarded: Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz says a dredge to be used in the Swansea Channel may also be used in other parts of the Hunter. Australia-based company Birdon has been awarded the $7.4 million contract and will use a 12m vessel known as the Beaver 30 to undertake the work. The company will also install a sand transfer system to pump the dredged sand from the lake overland to the beach at Belmont South. The dredge is on track to be operational by the middle of next year. Lake Macquarie City Council has awarded the tender for a dredge and sand transfer system for the Swansea Channel.
Surfest winners crowned: Portugal's Francisca Veselko defeated Australian Olympian Sally Fitzgibbons to win the Newcastle Surfest women's event in Merewether. Veselko won with a combined wave total score of 14.60 out of a possible 20, over Fitzgibbons's 12.20. In the men's final, West Australian Jacob Willcox defeated Kauli Vaast from French Polynesia with a score of 12.30 compared to 11.56.
New coach for Jets: The Newcastle Jets have appointed Englishman Stephen Hoyle as the club's A-League women's coach for the next two seasons. Originally from Barnsley in England, Hoyle has more than a decade of coaching experience. Hoyle joins the Jets from New Zealand where he is currently the assistant coach of Napier City in the National League and assistant coach for the New Zealand U17 women's team. He will take over from Ryan Campbell, who stood down from the job last month.
