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NSW Nationals choose David Layzell for crucial Upper Hunter by-election

The Nationals' bid to retain the seat of Upper Hunter at a crucial state by-election is off to a precarious start after the party hierarchy's preferred candidate was snubbed for preselection. The ABC understands Singleton Mayor Sue Moore was the preferred candidate among several senior party figures for the important contest, which would see the Coalition forced into minority government if the Nationals lose the seat.

Residents fined for parking on nature strips

Councils in New South Wales are cracking down on people who park on nature strips, including in our region. The Cessnock council has adopted a policy that prevents motorists from parking on the strip between the road and their property boundary. 

NRL blowouts highlight most lopsided round in nearly two decades, new rules in spotlight

The NRL's new rules are back in the spotlight after the most lopsided round in almost 17 years, with just six of 32 games this season being decided by a converted try or less. And while poor roster management and self-confessed "soft" efforts from teams have contributed, there is now the potential for a problem.

Surfing, Japan and the Olympic Games: How Kanoa Igarashi has come full circle

Surfing exploded in Australia in 1915 when a Hawaiian surfer gave a demonstration of board riding at Freshwater Beach with local girl Isabel Letham. More than a century later, Australia boasts more surfing world champions, men and women combined, than any other nation. But when the surfers paddle out at the Tokyo Olympics later this year, signalling the start of the sport's Olympic history, it is Japan's Kanoa Igarashi who will be shouldering the biggest burden.

Holidaymakers returning to Sydney were faced with bumper-to-bumper traffic and lengthy delays

Holidaymakers returning to Sydney after the Easter long weekend faced major delays due to heavy traffic earlier this week. The NSW Transport Management Centre issued two traffic warnings for the M1 Pacific Motorway heading south from Newcastle and the Central Coast.

Next generation of farmers glad Royal Easter Show is back

It's one of the biggest events on the NSW agricultural calendar and after coronavirus caused a hiatus last year, the Sydney Royal Easter Show is back. 

After a tough few years for the farming sector, the return of the show couldn't come soon enough. As well as a platform to showcase prized livestock and produce, it's also a chance for families living on the land to come together and celebrate their industry. Just as important, the Royal Easter Show is a stomping ground for the next generation of farmers — just ask the Upper Hunter's Jacob Merrick. 

The Year 7 student at St Catherine's Catholic College in Singleton exhibited in the cattle section, where the school took out the led steer competition.

"The school's been coming here for a long time but I'm very excited for my first Easter Show," he said. "It's exhilarating, the blood just rushes through your body, the smells of all the products you use — it's just bliss!" 

Gamilaroi woman Donna Meehan shares her story for Who Are You?

The Hunter is made up of people from many different backgrounds and life experiences. In the Who Are You? series on ABC Newcastle Breakfast, we share stories of diversity and identity.

Road design is changing and it could mean an end to potholes

A quick patch job keeps your tyres safe, but you know it's only a matter of time before they come back again. But why? In a world of modern technology and engineering, how are things like potholes still causing grief on local roads?

Dr Mike Moffatt works with the Australian Road Research Board and tells Kia Handley where things are at with modern road design.

Malcolm Turnbull thinks the Upper Hunter deserves better

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has slammed coal-supporting state political figures, saying they're ignoring local concerns about air quality. Mr Turnbull was set to chair the state's Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board, but was dumped from the position this week by the Energy Minister Matt Kean.

It was a tough job but we were totally up for it!

Newcastle is the international surf city right now with the World Surf League Cup being held at Merewether Beach. ABC Newcastle's Dan and Jenny were part of the action on the comp's first day, broadcasting live from the beach with surf reporter Dave Anderson.

Not only did the team share the beach with the world's best surfers, they caught up with reigning world champions Carissa Moore and John John Florence, along with local wild cards Phillipa Anderson and Jackson Baker.

What else made news this week?

Newcastle Knights ready: Knights player Connor Watson says the team won't be taking the Titans lightly this weekend. The last time Newcastle travelled to the Gold Coast they were thrashed by the Titans just before last year's finals series. The Knights will be without Mitchell Pearce, but will welcome back Kalyn Ponga. Watson says after two tough losses the team is ready to turn things around. 

Hunter Gas Pipeline concerns: Deputy Premier John Barilaro has taken a swipe at Hunter Gas Pipeline over the level of community consultation around the project. Representatives from the company met with landholders in Willow Tree on Thursday as it plots a route for the long-discussed pipeline. Mr Barilaro says he's worried by feedback from landowners that their concerns are being ignored. Hunter Gas Pipeline says it is continuing to engage with landholders along the pipeline corridor to identify an optimal location, and has met with 50 per cent of landholders between Newcastle and Narrabri. 

Nelson Bay clean-up: A large pump has been installed to help remove water still flooding homes in Port Stephens. About seven homes in the Lagoons Estate in Nelson Bay still have water covering their ground floors, more than two weeks after they were first flooded in the recent heavy rain event. The nearby lagoon failed to drain properly because the ground is so saturated. Local resident Susan says a pump was installed on Wednesday, but it could take several days to drain the water from homes. 

Man charged with armed robbery: Police were called to a takeaway shop at Beresfield on Tuesday afternoon following reports a man armed with a firearm entered the store and threatened two female employees. Police also allege the man threatened a 21-year-old man with the firearm a short time later and demanded his phone and wallet. After a short pursuit police arrested a 43-year-old man and allegedly found a firearm in his car. He's been charged with five offences including robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon, possessing an unregistered firearm, and high-range drink driving.
 
Property prices on the rise: A Newcastle real estate agent with over 20 years experience selling homes in the region says he's never seen prices rise so rapidly with no end in sight. Malcolm Taylor says properties in Newcastle are selling sight-unseen and often going within hours of being listed. On Tuesday the Reserve Bank kept interest rates at their current record low, and reaffirmed its expectation that they won't rise until at least 2024. Mr Taylor says that's giving investors a lot of confidence and access to "cheap" money.
 
Quad bike accident: An 83-year-old man is in hospital in Newcastle after waiting for three hours for help to arrive following a quad bike accident on a farm north of Singleton. The Hunter's rescue helicopter was called to the property at Bridgman just before 6pm on Monday. The man was treated for possible spinal injuries and exposure. He was flown to the John Hunter Hospital in a serious condition, but is now listed as stable.
 
Infant death statistics: The Minister for Families Gareth Ward has responded to questions about the deaths of two Hunter babies, saying critical incident events are established quickly by welfare when a child dies. Labor's Penny Sharpe raised the issue of child deaths at a recent budget estimates hearing. She said she was worried 97 children who had been reported to Family and Community Services died in 2019, and 60 per cent of them had been reports to the service twice. Ms Sharpe also asked about the death of a seven-month-old boy in the Upper Hunter in May and the alleged murder and rape of a three-month-old girl in Newcastle in August.
   
Church abuse outcry: The Clergy Abuse Network is asking why there is nothing in writing explaining the removal of references to a dead priest in a parish south of Newcastle. In March, references to the late Monsignor Roger Kennedy were removed from St Paul's Primary School and St Mary's High School at Gateshead. The Roger Kennedy Centre will also be renamed. The ABC has been told allegations of abuse are behind the decision, but the diocese says "there is no statement to be provided". The network's Bob O'Toole says he questions the diocese's prior commitment to being transparent. 

Recipes for our readers

This week's recipe comes from one of our readers, Grace Tibby from Newcastle. She says she first made this recipe for Crisp Coconut Biscuits when she was 11.

Ingredients:
115 grams butter
1 cup castor sugar
1 egg
2 cups of self-raising flour
1 cup desiccated coconut

Cream the butter and sugar, add egg and sifted flour, and mix until well combined. Add the coconut and mix. Roll into walnut-sized balls, place on a tray lined with baking paper and press flat with fingers. Allow room for spreading. Bake in a 180c oven for 10-12 minutes. Makes about 24.

The best photos from around the country

There were some dramatic skies at Warners Bay over the Easter weekend. #ABCmyphoto contributor @catr13 captured this stunning image and shared it with us via Instagram. It's now part of our online gallery featuring the best pics from around the country. 

The #ABCmyphoto team is always on the lookout for the best photos from around Australia. You can show us what the world looks like where you are by using the hashtag on Instagram, or by uploading your photos online here. 

How's the weekend weather looking?

It will be mostly sunny this weekend with a slight chance of showers. Temps are set to reach 30 degrees tomorrow before cooling down over the coming days.

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