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Cycleway project off to a flying start

Earthmoving equipment has started taking bites out of Watkins Street, Merewether, as part of a $3.1 million cycleway between The Junction and Merewether Beach.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes said the work was in response to community requests for more transport options. But the funding was also brought forward to stimulate jobs.

Coast Council suspended over $89 million debt

The announcement came late on Friday afternoon: Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock had suspended the Central Coast Council for three months.

Former councillor Greg Best said there were systemic failings within the council.

"We can all point fingers and (play) blame games," Mr Best said. "But at the end of the day we have got the single largest financial calamity in local government history."

Groundskeeper fined $48k over weed killer mishap

A volunteer groundskeeper has been fined nearly $50,000 after a man with autism drank a mix of highly toxic weed killers that were left in a drink bottle.

The man, Damien Terry, 24, was given 12 hours to live when he arrived at Gosford Hospital, on the New South Wales Central Coast, in 2017. But against all odds, Mr Terry survived.

Mothballed mine set to reopen near Aberdeen

It hasn't extracted any coal since 2006, but last week the Independent Planning Commission gave Dartbrook underground coal mine the green light to reopen.

Australian Pacific Coal and the commission reached an agreement in the Land and Environment Court over an application to extend development approval by five years at the mine near Aberdeen.

Hunter's part in turning clay into nanotechnology

An exploration company in South Australia has discovered vast deposits of a mineral called kaolin, a type of clay historically used in the production of glossy white paper.

But this deposit is special. It is what is known as halloysite, a type of kaolin where, at a molecular level, it forms into a unique structure: nanotubes.

Tony Belperio, the director of Minotaur Exploration - the company behind the project - took the material to the nanotechnology team at the University of Newcastle who were "gobsmacked" by what they saw..

Businesses supporting people in need

A local business is helping people in need by being part of a "pay it forward" initiative run by Hunter Homeless Connect. Customers can add a few dollars onto their bill and that helps pay for a drink or a meal for someone who can't afford it.

The ABC's Christine Sheridan spoke to local cafe owner Leya, who's been part of the program.

Small-bar owner upbeat after night economy trial

November 1 marks a month since restrictions were eased on Newcastle's night time economy. During the six-month trial, restaurants in the city can trade until midnight while small bars can operate until 2am.

So, what impact has the easing of restrictions had? ABC Newcastle's Craig Hamilton spoke to local small bar owner Prudence Farquhar.

Birds, flora come to life via mosaics

A NSW farmer has found her passion turning trash into treasure. Using broken crockery and tiles, Kelly Mackey started creating amazing art throughout the drought. The founder of Mac Mosaics caught up with Kia Handley to tell her more.

What else is making news?

Petition to stop offshore gas drilling: A community campaign and petition were launched this week to stop gas rigs being built off the coast of Newcastle. The Federal and State Governments are currently assessing an application to extend a petroleum exploration permit from Newcastle to Sydney's Northern Beaches. Advent Energy says the area potentially contains trillions of cubic feet of recoverable gas resources, but Newcastle MP Sharon Claydon it's causing great distress and anxiety in the community.

Vote of confidence in coal: Federal Labor MP for Hunter Joel Fitzgibbon says his colleagues could learn from the ALP's success in the Queensland state election. Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk led her government to a third term last weekend. Mr Fitzgibbon wants federal Labor to be more vocal in supporting the coal, gas and manufacturing sectors. He says Ms Palaszczuk did that in her campaign, and it succeeded.

Jobs alliance launched: A new alliance between the Hunter's unions and environmental advocacy groups will hold a summit in March to discuss how the region can take control of its future job prospects. The Hunter Jobs Alliance was officially launched in Maitland this week, aiming to end the failed "jobs versus environment" dynamic that it says is holding the region back. It's hoping to push a range of initiatives, including a plan for solar panels and batteries to be installed in homes across the region, and transforming the Tomago Aluminium smelter to renewable energy. 

Local singer recognised: A Newcastle man is one of the nominees for New South Wales Senior Australian of the Year. Doug Cameron, 93, formerly of Sydney, is known as a philanthropist and was the founding member of Guide Dogs NSW and ACT, a project he started rallying support for back in 1956. He's one of four nominees for the award, with the state Australian of the Year award winners to be announced on Monday next week.

Bushfire recovery fund for wine country: The Federal and NSW governments have announced almost $600,000 for the Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association to help the region recover from bushfires. Smoke taint wiped out a large portion of the Hunter's wine grape crop last summer. The money will go towards restoring the Hunter Valley's reputation for quality wines and protecting hundreds of local tourism jobs.

Poor start to prawning: A Hunter River prawn fisherman says it's been a dismal start to the 2020 season, with days of rain and cold weather severely diminishing the catch. Phil Blanch says he was hoping for a catch of around 400 kilos, but barely caught 20.

How's the weather looking?

There's a bit of rain about but a greater chance of late showers on Saturday before becoming mostly sunny through until Wednesday. Temperatures are warming up to the mid-20s by Tuesday before soaring to the high 20s on Wednesday.

Listen live to Liz on Saturday Breakfast!

Got anything on this Saturday? Why not spend your morning with us? 
Long-time journalist Liz Farquhar is stepping out of the newsroom and into the studio to bring you Saturday Breakfast, filling in while Craig Hamilton takes a break.

She’s pretty sure she knows what all the buttons do ... it can’t be too hard if Hammo can do it, right?
 

Halloween just a step to the ride for Kia

Mornings presenter Kia Handley went all out for Halloween this week, dressing up for a special screening of the 1975 motion picture musical Rocky Horror Picture Show.

"The roller derby league had a small, Covid-safe Halloween viewing of Rocky Horror Picture Show," Kia said. 

She could have gone dressed as Columbia, Janet or Magenta. Instead she showed her usual creativity: "I went as Eddie’s motorbike."

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