Thousands at ag expo: Tocal Field Days organisers say more than 21,000 people attended last week's event. The agriculture expo aims to celebrate local produce and connect farmers to the latest technology in the sector. The event has been running for 40 years, with the first field day in 1984 at the Tocal College Paterson campus attracting about 7,000 visitors. Organisers say the event reaching its 40th anniversary highlights the importance of agriculture to the Hunter Valley.
Photo: ABC Country Hour’s Michael Condon (second from right) and Amelia Bernasconi (far right) speak with current and former Tocal students and staff on stage at the Tocal Field Days. Image credit: ABC Newcastle/Bridget Murphy
Future of Eraring still undecided: The Smart Energy Council says it'd like to see the state government speed up the construction of renewable energy projects instead of extending the life of the Eraring coal-fired power station. Eraring is earmarked to close next year, but a review found the state should consider extending its life to prevent blackouts resulting from the slow rollout of renewables projects. There's been media speculation the government will extend the life of the station by four years, but the government has told the ABC no plan has yet been made and talks are "ongoing".
More buses equipped with seatbelts: Almost 100 school buses across parts of the Hunter are now equipped with seatbelts. Regional Transport Minister and Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison announced the completion of the $10 million project last week, with 92 buses retrofitted across Cessnock, Singleton, Maitland and Port Stephens. She says buses which regularly travel on roads with speed limits of 80kph or more were prioritised for the seatbelts in a bid to improve safety.
Hospital upgrade plans on public display: The state government has released a first look at the proposed $111 million Cessnock Hospital upgrade, with residents urged to provide feedback on the plans. The Cessnock Hospital is more than a century old and NSW Health says the redevelopment will modernise the facility so it can better cater to residents. The project will include building a new and expanded emergency department and two new inpatient units, the provision of a medical imaging service, and improvements to connections to existing buildings across the campus.
Tourist accommodation on backburner: Dealing with asbestos contamination at the heritage-listed Walk Water Works will be prioritised over a multi-million dollar upgrade, the Maitland City Council says. Asbestos was found on the site in 2022 and it has since been closed. Also in 2022 the council, Reflections Holidays and Crown Lands partnered to secure $10 million to fund an upgrade of the site, including establishing a caravan and campground. Council now wants to use the money initially allocated for the campground to instead fix asbestos contamination. Reflections Holidays says because of this it has withdrawn from the partnership. Council maintains the vision for the project hasn't been abandoned, and it's prioritising reopening areas at the site currently closed because of asbestos.
Anglican church to close: St Stephen's Church in Adamstown will close and the Parish of Adamstown will be dissolved. Anglican Bishop of Newcastle Peter Stuart says the decision comes after consultation with the diocesan council and submissions from the parish. He says he will review the future use of the site in coming months and the final service in the church will be on May 19.
Coal company awaits extension outcome: Hunter Valley Operations hopes two of its proposed coal mine extensions in the Upper Hunter will receive the first stage of approval within the next couple of months. HVO is looking to extend the life span of its North and South mines by 25 years and 15 years respectively. HVO North is currently approved to mine until next year. The company says new greenhouse gas legislation has likely delayed the approval of the extensions. It's the company's first major project to seek approval under the state government's Climate Change Net Zero Future Act, which aims to deliver net zero by 2050.
Newcastle Jets awards: Sarina Bolden picked up four awards, including the Cheryl Salisbury Award, Golden Boot and women's Player of the Year awards at the Newcastle Jets awards night last week. Apostolos Stamatelopoulos picked up the men's Player of the Year, Golden Boot and the Craig Johnson club award. Emma Dundas and Clayton Taylor were awarded Young Player of the Year honours.
