> # Keolis Downer bungle forces Newcastle bus fleet offline as registrations lapse > > By Simon McCarthy > > Updated October 2 2024 - 6:16pm, first published 6:08pm > > Newcastle transport operator Keolis Downer has blamed an administrative error after the registration of a significant number of its Newcastle bus fleet was allowed to expire on Monday, September 30, forcing much of the city's fleet offline on Tuesday. > > A spokesperson for the operator, which runs just shy of 200 buses in Newcastle, apologised to travellers on the network on Wednesday afternoon after buses were suddenly recalled from service to the depots on Tuesday when the issue came to light. > > Keolis Downer insisted on Wednesday that the fleet had recently passed all required safety checks and that, as of October 2, its entire fleet was back online and operating as normal. > > "All vehicles are now registered. We have reviewed our processes to ensure this will not happen again," the spokesperson said in a brief statement. "We are very sorry for the impact this issue caused our customers." > > The operator did not specify the number of buses included in the lapse on Wednesday, but the Newcastle Herald understands that as much as half the local fleet was affected. > > Keolis Downer won a 10-year contract in 2016 to run the city's buses, the Stockton ferry and the Newcastle light rail. Still, earlier this year, the transport worker's union pushed the state government to return the public transport network to "public hands", citing a decline in bus service quality since privatisation. > > "Privatising Newcastle's bus network has been a complete disaster. Commuters have had to deal with inferior services while drivers have had to fight for decent pay and conditions from Keolis Downer," Rail, Tram and Bus Union NSW secretary Toby Warnes told the Herald in July. > > Since it took over in 2017, Keolis Downer has changed routes and timetables, which has sparked complaints from some passengers, and a 10,000-signature petition was tabled in Parliament in 2018. > > The Minns government established a bus industry task force last year to examine the effects of privatisation and recommend improvements. > > A report by the task force published in February identified four Hunter routes as "short-term" priorities - Charlestown to Newcastle via Jesmond and Newcastle University; Cameron Park to Newcastle via New Lambton; Cessnock to East Maitland; and Mimmi to Newcastle via Wallsend.

> In short: > > A group of Rising Tide protesters have stopped and climbed onto a coal train at Sandgate near Newcastle. > > The group is protesting over federal approval of three coal mine expansions in NSW. > > The company behind one of the expansions says it will support hundreds of regional jobs.

From 'The Daily Blue': https://www.facebook.com/dailybluenews/posts/pfbid02jJcnvE16wyx3WkqsX2X4j1vUV775yMwh1qw6TGztFU7xcMa65UN3v8Lwcr8GuAGml

> # Labor loses its stranglehold on Newcastle as new council faces emerge > > By Madeline Link > > September 20 2024 - 5:30am > > LABOR will almost certainly lose its stranglehold on Newcastle as election results point to the party emerging from this election with five of the 13 seats on council. > > Incoming Newcastle lord mayor Ross Kerridge faces negotiations with a handful of blocs when he takes the reins after Labor's previous majority took a hit amid a swing in the votes. > > The Tally Room independent election analyst Ben Raue said there is no doubt the Newcastle council race is the state's "closest" and "most interesting" to watch. > > Mr Raue has called nine of the 13 seats on Newcastle council, with postal votes still yet to be counted from each of the four wards. > > Three candidates are elected to represent each ward in Newcastle, with a total of 13 councillors including the lord mayor. > > In Ward 1, Our Newcastle mayoral candidate Ross Kerridge is due to take the top job after incumbent Labor lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes conceded defeat earlier this week. > > When Cr Kerridge is formally declared lord mayor, his 23.1 per cent of the ward one vote will flow to the number two candidate on his ticket, Peter Gittins. > > "I'm probably going to call that," Mr Raue said. > > "They didn't have Newcastle pre-poll results [on Wednesday evening] and now they do, and he [Dr Kerridge] did really well on it. > > "He won the pre-poll, so I'm willing to call that he's won his seat on council." > > Labor Ward 1 candidate and incumbent deputy mayor Declan Clausen will be back for another term with 31.7 per cent of first preference votes. > > Ward 1 covers Newcastle, Carrington, Stockton, Maryville, Tighes Hill, Mayfield and Warabrook. > > Mr Gittins and Cr Clausen will likely be joined by incumbent Greens councillor Charlotte McCabe. > > In Ward 2, Mr Raue said he is confident Labor candidate Paige Johnson and incumbent Liberal Cr Jenny Barrie will both take seats on the council. > > Ms Johnson has made history as the first openly transgender woman to be elected to public office in the state. > > In a Facebook statement, Ms Johnson said while her focus is on local government, she understands what the victory means for the trans and gender diverse community. > > The third spot hangs in the balance between Our Newcastle Independent candidate Leisha Parkinson and Greens candidate Joel Pringle. > > "It's too close to say," Mr Raue said. > > "I think this is the kind of one where it will be really useful to see what the below the line votes do, because if one or the other does really well on the below the line votes that could change things up." > > As of Thursday, Mr Pringle was leading by about 250 votes but there are still 3000 below the line votes yet to be counted. > > Mr Raue said he does not believe incumbent Labor Cr Carol Duncan will be re-elected. > > Ward 2 covers Adamstown, Hamilton and Merewether. > > In Ward 3, Mr Raue is confident incumbent Labor lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes will return for another term, along with Our Newcastle candidate Mark Brooker and Greens candidate Sinead Francis-Coan. > > Liberal incumbent Cr Callum Pull looks likely to return for another term in Ward 4 joined by incumbent Labor Cr Elizabeth Adamczyk. > > The tug-of-war for the last seat in the ward looks to be between Labor incumbent Deahnna Richardson or Our Newcastle Independent candidate Tahlia Kelso. > > "Almost all the preferences are from the Greens, so if those preferences favour Labor, Labor win, if the preferences favour Our Newcastle, they could win but they would need a strong flow," Mr Raue said. > > "It's probably more likely that they would flow to Deahnna." > > It's likely Labor will hold five seats on council, losing the majority it held this term with six Labor councillors plus the lord mayor. > > Mr Raue said those five seats are "nothing to sneeze at". > > "They can be outvoted, but not super easily," he said. > > Last term, Labor held six seats on Newcastle council in addition to lord mayor Cr Nelmes.

> # Lord mayor Nuatali Nelmes concedes defeat to Independent Ross Kerridge > > By Donna Page, Madeline Link, Gabriel Fowler and Anna Falkenmire > > LORD mayor Nuatali Nelmes has conceded defeat to Independent candidate Ross Kerridge in what has been an almost unprecedented neck-and-neck race in Newcastle. > > In a public statement, Cr Nelmes said "it is now evident" that she will likely fall just a few hundred votes short of re-election. > > "I congratulate Dr Kerridge on his likely election as Newcastle's 15th lord mayor, and offer him my best wishes," she said. > > "Though I am naturally disappointed in the outcome, I am incredibly proud of the progress we've made over my time as Newcastle's second-longest serving lord mayor. > > "Over the last decade, I've had the honour of leading a dedicated team that has worked tirelessly to build a more sustainable, inclusive and thriving city." > > Dr Kerridge held 35.19 per cent of first preference votes and Cr Nelmes held 31.87 per cent on Tuesday. > > Cr Nelmes pointed out that the council had invested more than $1 billion in local public infrastructure, "protected local jobs and services", and had become the first council to use 100 per cent renewables, "all while tackling the impacts of a pandemic". > > "Upgrades to public infrastructure are evident across our city," she said. > > "I am particularly proud of delivering the iconic Bathers Way, upgrading the Newcastle Ocean Baths, and building 35 new playgrounds across our city," she said. > > "We've worked tirelessly to address the Stockton erosion crisis, invest in new social and affordable housing, and expand Newcastle's cultural offerings through the Newcastle Art Gallery and the New Annual festival." > > Dr Kerridge thanked Cr Nelmes for her concession and congratulated her on her achievement as lord mayor for the last decade. Independent candidate Ross Kerridge. > > "Obviously we have important differences in our ideas of lord mayorship but I know that we're both very committed to Newcastle and I've always respected anyone who is prepared to be the person in the arena, rather than sit on the sidelines and be a critic," he said. > > "I hope that Nuatali will find a way to contribute to public life using her great skills and knowledge into the future." > > Dr Kerridge paid tribute to the "amazing team" that gathered around him in his campaign. > > He said it was "truly extraordinary" to consider the amount of people who had given up their time and put in such an "enormous effort", some of whom he had never met before but who went "above and beyond". > > "I would particularly like to pay tribute to my amazing campaign manager John Beach, and of course my extraordinary wife Marion who has been the bedrock of everything I have achieved professionally, including transforming herself into an absolutely extraordinarily effective political companion," he said. > > "I look forward to serving the city in the capacity of lord mayor and promise that I'll do my best to listen and to effectively serve all the people of Newcastle into the future." > > Cr Nelmes said the council had laid the foundation for future industries, such as the diversification of the Port of Newcastle, expansion of the John Hunter Hospital and University of Newcastle, and provided support for new industries like green hydrogen and offshore wind which she said will ensure that Newcastle continues to thrive as our state's second largest city, and capital of the nation's largest regional economy. > > "I am proud to have secured hundreds of millions of dollars in Commonwealth funding to expand Newcastle Airport, upgrade the runway and develop surrounding industries that will enable tourism, manufacturing and export industries to prosper and expand," she said. > > Cr Nelmes said the Broadmeadow precinct and fast rail would likely be the next big game-changers for the city. > > "While I will not be returning as lord mayor, I am delighted to report that five of our six Labor ward councillors are likely to be re-elected, forming the largest group in the new council chamber," she said. > > "Their experience and dedication will ensure continuity as they continue to build on the work we've delivered." > > Cr Nelmes said that when she first joined the council in 2008, only two women served in the chamber of 13 councillors. > > "Since then we made historic strides, increasing female representation to nine councillors," she said. > > "I am pleased to see that this legacy of diversity will continue, with women making up 80 per cent of Labor councillors, 66 per cent of Greens councillors, and 50 per cent of Liberal councillors in the new council term." > > Dr Ross Kerridge arrived to huge applause and chants of ‘Ross’ at his party as counting begins in the mayoral race for Newcastle. > > Dr Kerridge said on Tuesday, before Cr Nelmes conceded, that he hoped he and Cr Nelmes could develop a "respectful and constructive" relationship whichever way the votes flowed. > > "She has had a lot of experience, obviously our ideas differ, she has a lot to teach me and I would be prepared to listen," he said. > > "I would hope whatever role I am in there will be a different tone to the council meetings." > > Cr Nelmes said she "makes no apologies" for being bold and ambitious for Newcastle and the Hunter and "fighting for our fair share". > > "I make no apologies for being bold and ambitious for Newcastle and the Hunter region and always fighting for our fair share. I will always be on team Newy," she said. > > "My love for Newcastle, from Lambton to Wallsend, Blackbutt to Bathers Way, and Stockton to Minmi, is why I worked so hard to create a more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient place for us all to live." > > Cr Nelmes said she hopes the city's next leaders will continue to move forward and build on positive momentum the council has created. > > "I look forward to watching Newcastle grow and thrive from a new perspective, and to supporting its progress in other ways," she said. > > Cr Nelmes said for now she will be spending more time with her family and friends. > > "During my last decade of public service, there have been many moments that have taken a back seat because of the demands of leadership," she said. > > "Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout this journey; my councillor colleagues, my friends and family, members of the Australian Labor Party and broader Labor movement, and the dedicated staff of the City of Newcastle. > > "I know the important responsibility that comes with being the lord mayor of our fantastic community. > > "It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve our city as lord mayor." > > On Tuesday, NSW Electoral Commission executive director of elections Andrea Summerell said postal votes could be the deciding factor in the Newcastle lord mayoral race as the result may come down to the wire. > > An anxious almost 10-day wait was expected to lie ahead for candidates Dr Kerridge and Cr Nelmes with the distribution of preferences unable to occur until at least September 30 when postal votes were returned. > > Hawk-eyed scrutineers, 12 from Cr Nelmes' camp and one from Dr Kerridge's, were going through each ballot paper with a fine-toothed comb. > > From the time the result is declared, candidates have 24 hours to call for a recount, but Ms Summerell said that is "not common at all". > > "We don't do recounts just because a person would want us to recount," she said. > > "They would have to point to some kind of anomaly that's happened during the count, and closeness is not necessarily a reason for a recount," she said.

> The current plans include 445 beds in the premises, located on the corner of Civic Lane and Worth Place. [Next to the big swerve in the light rail.]

> # Greta bus crash driver jailed for decades for killing 10, injuring 25 > > By Anna Falkenmire > > September 11 2024 - 3:08pm > > - Warning: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that this story may contain images of deceased persons. > > ! > > 📷 A sketch of Brett Button giving evidence in Newcastle District Court on September 11. Artwork by Rocco Fazzari > > THE DRIVER who killed 10 people in a wedding bus crash at Greta last year has been jailed for more than 30 years. > > Brett Andrew Button, 59, fronted a harrowing three-day sentencing hearing in Newcastle District Court this week. > > Judge Roy Ellis on Wednesday sentenced Button to 32 years behind bars, with 24 years without parole. > > Button has been waiting to find out his fate in custody since he struck a deal in May which saw him plead guilty to 10 counts of dangerous driving occasioning death. > > He was also sentenced for nine counts of dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and 16 counts of driving furiously causing bodily harm. > > With time served, Button will be eligible for release in May, 2048. His sentence will expire in 2056. > > He was disqualified from driving for several years upon his release. > > Button was behind the wheel of a charter coach transporting 35 wedding guests from a Hunter Valley estate to the newlywed couple's hometown of Singleton when it rolled on a Wine Country Drive roundabout at about 11.30pm on June 11, 2023. > > His driving was impaired by the opioid prescription painkillers he was dependent on, he was going too fast, showing off and ignoring pleas from passengers to slow down before tragedy struck. > > ! > > 📷 Brett Andrew Button, 59, is facing a three-day sentence hearing in Newcastle District Court on September 10. Picture by Marina Neil > > During the sentencing hearing on Monday and Tuesday, one by one, more than 40 grieving family members, survivors and the injured tried to put into words the gravity of their losses in powerful victim impact statements. > > Husband and wife Andrew and Lynan Scott, Singleton doctor Rebecca Mullen, Angus Craig, Darcy Bulman, mother and daughter Nadene and Kyah McBride, Kane Symons, Zach Bray and AFL Roosterettes captain Tori Cowburn died in the crash. > > ! > > 📷 Tributes at the crash site at the Wine Country roundabout on June 11, 2024. Picture by Simone de Peak > > On Wednesday morning, Button was moved from his glass cage to the witness box to give evidence, his hands and voice shaking as he expressed his deep sorrow at the tragedy and his actions. > > "I've tried to figure out the words to say 'I'm sorry', but how do you say you're sorry for such a horrible, tragic event that has ruined the lives of hundreds of people?" he said through tears. > > "I live with this every day, and I hate myself." > > He was questioned and cross-examined on whether he thought he knew better than his doctors about his Tramadol use, and why he was speeding and taking risks. > > #### More to come. > > - Support is available for those who may be distressed. Phone Lifeline 13 11 14; MensLine 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636; 1800-RESPECT 1800 737 732.

> In short: > > A magnitude-4.5 earthquake hit the New South Wales Hunter Region shortly before 6am on Saturday. > > Geoscience Australia reported it happened at a depth of 5 kilometres. > > It comes two weeks after similar events in the region.

> In short: > > Dozens of kangaroos now call Wyee Point Reserve home, turning it into an unofficial tourist attraction. > > Tourists are shown on social media feeding them chips, cookies, and bread, but there are fears for people's safety. > > What's next? > > Lake Macquarie Council and NPWS both say the other group should be managing the situation.

> In short: > > Laura Davy was sentenced to three months in jail for her involvement in coal protests that blocked trains from reaching the Port of Newcastle. > > She lodged an appeal and was granted bail. > > What's next? > > The appeal was upheld on the condition Davy does not re-offend.

> In short: > > Another magnitude-4.5 earthquake has hit the Hunter region on Saturday, a day after a similar event at the same location. > > There were no injuries, with some residents in Sydney reporting they felt the quake. > > The epicentres of both quakes are near BHP's Mount Arthur coal mine and the proposed site of a nuclear power plant.

Geoscience Australia is reporting magnitude of 5, with the epicentre near Muswellbrook: https://earthquakes.ga.gov.au/event/ga2024qpnryi

ORIGINAL ARTICLE, PUBLISHED 12:30pm

UPDATED ARTICLE, PUBLISHED 1:07pm

> ### 'The whole house shook': Earthquake rattles the ground west of Newcastle > > ! > > 📷 The red mark represents the earthquake epicentre, while the blue marks indicate where tremors were felt. Picture by Geoscience Australia > > AN EARTHQUAKE has rocked the Hunter Region on Friday afternoon, leaving hundreds of residents shaken and thousands without power. > > Reports flooded in of the quake being felt across the region - and as far and Tamworth, Mudgee and the Central Coast - at about midday on August 23. > > Geoscience Australia confirmed a magnitude 5.0 earthquake struck Denman at 12.01pm on Friday, at a depth of 10 kilometres, causing widespread tremors. > > Amanda Sharp lives two minutes from the centre of town, she said she heard the earthquake coming before she felt it. > > "It actually sounded like a huge wind tunnel coming up, it sounded like massive wind but there was no wind, and then the whole entire house just started shaking," she said. > > "We have things on the top of our kitchen and they all fell off, we had glasses on top of our kitchen shelf and they've fallen down." > > Ms Sharp said the "significant" rattle was felt throughout the town and all the way to Muswellbrook through to Mudgee. > > "I've still got horses that are galloping around my property that are still stirred up and quite agitated from it," she said. > > "My dog is still underneath the bed, we can't get her out." > > Ms Sharp moved to the area in 2020 and said she thinks there has been a small tremor in the area before but "nothing like this". > > "We ran outside straight away to check what was happening," she said. > > More than 2500 people are without power in the Muswellbrook area, according to Ausgrid. > > "Severe weather conditions" has been listed as the cause of the outage, and crews were still working to restore power at about 1pm. > > Muswellbrook's Eatons Hotel licensee, Khalifa Askar, said it was "a little bit scary there for a moment". > > "It was shaking for about 10 to 15 seconds... a bunch of stuff fell off my fridge," Mr Askar said. > > Layla Moss was working at Denman's Royal Hotel when she felt the tremor. > > "It shook everything inside," she said. > > "All our wine glasses are hanging up over the bar and they shook a lot, but there was no damage, nothing falling over." > > Over at the Denman Hotel, Jack Buckley said the only causality was a runaway wine bottle. > > "We did feel it, it was just a bit of shake and we had a few bottles rolling around on the shelf," he said. > > One Hamilton resident reported feeling their whole house shake when the quake hit. > > "It felt like there was something under the house," they said. > > "I was very confused." > > Residents said they felt the ground or buildings shake at locations as widespread as Newcastle West, Tenambit, Cardiff, Hamilton, Singleton, Muswellbrook, Salamander Bay, Edgeworth and at the Gresford showgrounds. > > A resident in Salamander Bay reported their desk moving across the floor, while others in locations like Islington said they felt their doors and windows rattle. > > People have swarmed to social media to share their experiences of feeling the earthquake. > > On average, 100 earthquakes of magnitude three or more are recorded in Australia each year. > > --- > > This story is developing > > Our journalists are working to verify further information

> NBN News has obtained CCTV of the moment a vehicle was rammed into a tobacconist on the Central Coast and set on fire.

( source: https://www.facebook.com/nbntelevision/videos/1062366965556278 )

I want you to watch closely, and tell me where you think they went wrong...

> In short: > > NSW Police have have finalised the brief in the case against 19-year-old Jordan Patten. > > Mr Patten is accused of plotting to kill Newcastle Labor MP Tim Crakanthorp. > > What's next? > > The case will be mentioned in court again in October.

> # Students chain themselves to couch in encampment removal attempt > > By Alanna Tomazin > > Updated July 16 2024 - 12:26pm, first published 12:25pm > > ! > > 📷 Students chain themselves in couch in pro Palestine protest, pictures by Jonathan Carroll > > STUDENTS protesting for Palestine have chained themselves to a couch on campus as security attempts to remove the group's encampment at the University of Newcastle. > > Four UON Students for Palestine locked themselves onto the seat shortly after 6am on Tuesday morning, July 16 following a security presence packing up tents that were set up in protest of the institution's ties with Israel and weapons manufacturers. > > "We've been on the lounge for two hours, security came in and started taking everything down," student and staff member Parker Best said. > > "We've chained ourselves up to the couch and we've chained the couch to the tree because we thought they might lift us out." > > Student and spokesperson Leon Flint said there was no verbal communication from security, they just "started rummaging through". > > "We were woken up to security and at one stage did attempt to move us on about 7.30 in the morning but were unable to," he said. > > An eviction notice was alerted late last week by university management for protesters to move on, just days after they staged a 'die-in' to protest the university's partnerships. > > Protesters remaining at the encampment were advised to remove all tents, signage and equipment by 5pm on Monday, July 15. > > Failure to comply with the request resulted in the university issuing a disciplinary action warning letter to students on Tuesday. > > "As this time has now passed, if you refuse to pack up or leave the encampment you will be subject to disciplinary proceedings in accordance with the Student Conduct Rule," the letter stated. > > "To be clear, any disciplinary action taken will not relate to your right to protest on campus, but rather your refusal to obey a reasonable direction provided by the University," it read. > > Students remained on site with just two tents and a large communal tent shortly before midday on Tuesday and have lawyers on retainer checking in with them for protection and advice, Mr Flint said. > > "We have probably 20 students and staff members planning to continue to stay in the space until we are forcibly removed," he said. > > "We have a number of students who are willing to face academic repercussions, and all willing to face arrest for this cause should it come to that." > > University of Newcastle, Acting Vice Chancellor Professor Kent Anderson said in a statement that the university has assisted with the removal of unoccupied tents and will continue to work with students remaining about how they may continue to protest without an encampment. > > Mr Flint said the Students for Palestine group will continue to exercise their rights and rebuild. > > "The university has continuously promoted the fact that they are - quote on quote - respecting our right to peacefully protest. > > "They are commending the fact that everything we have done is peaceful yet they are stopping our protests. Free Palestine," he said.

> # Activist jailed for securing herself to equipment at Newcastle port > > ! > > 📷 Laura Davy, 21, has been sentenced to three months in jail for securing herself to a coal reclaimer as part of a protest backed by Blockade Australia. Picture supplied > > An environmental activist who secured herself to a coal reclaimer in Newcastle at the weekend has been jailed. > > Laura Davy, 21, was on Monday sentenced to three months in prison and fined $1100 for the illegal protest at Port Waratah Coal Services early on Sunday morning. > > Her co-accused, 22-year-old Dominic Burgess, was also due to face Newcastle Local Court on Monday. > > In a statement, Blockade Australia - the organisation for which Davy was acting - described the sentence as a "shocking escalation" and said an appeal was expected to be lodged on Monday afternoon. > > ! > > 📷 The response to some of the previous protesters who have taken part in action that started in June. Pictures by Peter Lorimer > > The activists' group has been backing ongoing illegal disruptions to the coal freight line and port for the past fortnight, with people charged from Singleton to Newcastle. > > "After more than 30 arrests as part of a sustained Blockade Australia mobilisation, Laura is the first to be sentenced under the harsh anti-protest laws introduced in 2022. Introduced to stifle protests in NSW, these laws faced huge backlash from activists and civil society for being anti-democratic in nature," a statement from Blockade Australia said. > > "Davy, a young person with very limited priors (only a low level good behavior bond in Tasmania) is having an appeal lodged on their behalf this afternoon. > > "Laura, like many young people, took part in the Blockade Australia mobilisation to confront the system that is putting her future in jeopardy." > > Magistrate Michael Barko handed down the sentence after Davy pleaded guilty to trespassing with a serious safety risk, and seriously disrupting a major facility. She is due to be released in October. > > A few hours before Davy and Burgess were arrested, police were called to the rail corridor connecting Sandgate and Kooragang Island where they found 29-year-old Clancey Jay Maher obstructing trains. > > Maher was charged and was also due to face court on Monday. > > Sunday's disruptions came after a 21-year-old Queensland woman was charged for obstructing trains at Farley, near Maitland.

> # Train controller sacked over safety incident on Newcastle-Sydney line > > A rail signaller who incorrectly allowed a Newcastle-bound train onto a closed track while "possibly" distracted playing online games was sacked over the incident. > > The Newcastle Herald reported on Monday that an Office of Transport Safety Investigations (OTSI) report tabled in NSW Parliament had shed light on a disturbing culture of signallers at Sydney Trains' Homebush control centre using work computers to shop and play games when they were on shift. > > The OTSI investigation followed an incident in January when the signaller allowed a train to enter a section of track at Cowan which should have been closed for maintenance, creating a "high risk of collision". > > The signaller failed to properly "protect" the track from train traffic despite giving verbal assurances to a manager that they had done so. > > A Sydney Trains spokesperson said on Wednesday that the signaller had been sacked and the organisation had "increased enforcement" for employees not complying with its internet policies. > > The Homebush manager told OTSI during the latest investigation that "after they had been made aware of the incident they observed a type of game open on the [signaller's] work computer at their workstation". > > "The screen quickly went into screensaver mode as the [manager] approached and the [manager] was not able to identify what the game was," the report said. > > A Transport for NSW IT investigation found "evidence of activity on various news, games, social media, shopping and other non-related work sites and applications" on the workstation computer but, "due to the nature of the set-up of the computer, it was not possible to assign the usage to a particular person". > > The signaller later told the manager and investigators that they had not been playing the game at the time of the incident, but the manager described to investigators a "widespread culture among signallers of using the work computer to access non-work-related applications and sites during their shift". > > The OTSI report said the signaller had failed to read documents outlining the scheduled track closures in the hours before they were implemented "possibly due to inattention or distraction caused by the use of the signaller's workstation computer for non-work-related purposes". > > The report said the signaller had been in the job for 18 years but had been involved in 16 recorded incidents between 2019 and 2023 that required coaching or other interventions. > > The most serious of these incidents had involved the routing of two freight locomotives onto a closed track in western Sydney in 2020, when the signaller failed to set protecting signals to stop. > > Asked if she had implemented new procedures to make sure signallers were focused on the job, Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said she was "pleased" Sydney Trains had investigated the incident. > > "I know Sydney Trains takes any safety incident extremely seriously, and I'm pleased they immediately launched a safety investigation into the incident," she said. > > "Safety is our top priority, and we are constantly looking at ways we can make our railway, and the people who run it, safer." > > The Sydney Trains spokesperson said the organisation had proactively reported the incident to OTSI. > > "Transport for NSW IT blocks countless non-work-related websites and are constantly looking for ways to proactively strengthen firewalls and manage internet access during work hours," the spokesperson said. > > "Sydney Trains has a policy that does not permit the use of mobile phones and devices for non-work purposes when on shift at signaller worksites and have increased enforcement for non-compliance." > > The OTSI report said 30 per cent of signallers at the Homebush control centre had received formal warnings for using personal devices, and the manager said many more had received informal warnings. > > "The [manager] advised it was common for signallers to sit sideways facing their computers rather than facing their signalling operating panel," the investigation report said. > > "The [manager] called it 'the sideways club' and explained that [managers] saw it as an indication that non-compliance was possibly occurring." > > The OTSI report noted a fatal accident at Kogarah in 2010 when a train struck a worker at a time when the signaller "may have been using a personal laptop computer ... while operating the signal panel".

> - In short: Environmental activist group Blockade Australia has staged more than a dozen protests on the Hunter rail line since Tuesday. > - It has impacted coal trains and more than 200 passenger trains, leaving many commuters frustrated. > - What's next? Transport for NSW says it will continue to assess the situation and schedule replacement buses when necessary.

> # 'You must leave': brave museum worker stands up to armed alleged terrorist > > By Jessica Brown > > Updated June 27 2024 - 10:42am, first published 8:00am > > ! > > 📷 The incident was livestreamed online and what has come to light has painted a terrifying picture of what could have been. > > A BRAVE museum worker could have made the difference between an armed assailant choosing to carry out a pre-planned alleged terrorist attack in Newcastle on Wednesday and deciding to walk away. Police, including the Joint Counter Terrorism Team, are investigating after emergency services were called to Newcastle Museum in Honeysuckle about 12.30pm to reports a man was dressed in tactical equipment and was brandishing a knife. > > The incident was livestreamed online and what has come to light has painted a terrifying picture of what could have been. > > A man can be seen in a bathroom toilet cubicle at the Civic Theatre preparing for his attack. It is understood he had circulated a manifesto detailing the reasons behind his plans. > > ! > > 📷 The man livestreamed his attempted attack online. Picture is a screenshot from that video. > > He can then be seen walking across the road, in front of the light rail, before entering the office of Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp. > > He quickly vacates the building and heads towards the museum. When he enters wearing the tactical equipment alerts were raised and one brave museum worker verbally confronts him saying "you can't walk around like that". > > As the assailant decides on his next move, museum-goers including children can be seen entering the main lobby then jumping in shock and fear. > > Again the museum worker addresses the man, "back to outside...you must leave" and a second worker can be heard saying "no knives in public spaces". > > ! > > 📷 An image from the feed that was distributing the live video of the alleged assailant. > > In the end the man chooses to leave the museum and puts down his knife as the workers lock the doors and police are called. > > Newcastle Police District officers went to the premises on Workshop Way where they arrested a 19-year-old male. > > A subsequent search saw police find a number of items which have now been seized. > > The man was taken to Newcastle police station and has now been charged with one count of other acts done in preparation for, or planning, for terrorist act, contrary to Section 101.6 of the Criminal Code Act (CTH). > > Following further inquiries, police have confirmed the existence of the document that had been circulated to a number of public figures and media outlets. > > The man, from Raymond Terrace, has been refused bail to appear before Newcastle Local Court on Thursday June 27. > > There is no ongoing threat to the community relation to this investigation. > > Inquiries are continuing. > > The Joint Counter Terrorism Team Sydney is comprised of members from the NSW Police Force, Australian Federal Police, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) and NSW Crime Commission. > > Anyone with information about extremist activity or possible threats to the community should come forward, no matter how small or insignificant you think the information may be. The National Security Hotline is 1800 123 400.

> 3 HRS AGO > > A STRANGE boom and rattle has been reported across Lake Macquarie from as far as Edgeworth to Gwandalan. > > Four 'felt' reports have been lodged with Geoscience Australia, despite no earthquakes currently showing for the area. > > A NSW Fire and Rescue spokesman told the Newcastle Herald firefighters had not received any reports of a possible earthquake and that none of their alarms had been triggered. > > Locals have taken to social media, reporting windows rattling at Charlestown, Toronto and Cameron Park as well as other suburbs. > > More to come.

> 1 HR AGO > > A SENIOR seismologist with Geoscience Australia has been unable to identify a seismic event in the Lake Macquarie area after residents reported a strange rattle and boom. > > The seismologist has confirmed the event was not an earthquake, despite several 'felt' reports being lodged with the organisation on Thursday. > > Almost 20 felt reports have been submitted from Thornton down to Gwandalan after residents experienced a 'boom' or rumbling sound followed by rattling windows and walls around midday. > > The Newcastle Herald contacted Subsidence Advisory NSW which confirmed there have been no mine subsidence events in the area.

Source: https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/8391323/no-earthquake-questions-remain-over-strange-boom-and-rattle-live/

> # COVID-19, flu cases escalate in NSW > > COVID-19 cases have rapidly increased in NSW. > > NSW Health's respiratory surveillance report has recorded a 22 per cent increase in COVID-19 cases and a 30 per cent increase in influenza. > > There are currently 5220 COVID-19 cases in NSW for the week ending June 1, up from 4262 for the week ending May 25. In contrast, there were 2813 reported cases for the week ending May 11. > The worst affected areas in NSW are western Sydney with 805 cases and south western Sydney with 691 cases. > > Areas emerging as hot spots include south eastern Sydney (500 cases), Hunter New England (481 cases), Nepean Blue Mountains (298 cases), Sydney (300 cases) Central Coast (257 cases) and the Illawarra Shoalhaven (275 cases). > > COVID-19 cases by local government area (week ending June 1, 2024) > > ! > > The new COVID-19 strain includes the 'FLiRT' sublineages, including KP.2 and KP.3, which stem from JN.1, which dominated infections early this year. > > Infectious diseases physician Professor Peter Collignon said you would expect to see a spike of COVID-19 cases in winter. > > "I would expect the wave to last around six weeks," he said. "My expectation is that it won't go for the whole of winter." > > Prof. Collignon said as influenza and RSV spike during the colder months so would COVID-19. > > He urged people to take basic measures such as staying home if unwell, wearing a mask if you need to go out, getting some fresh air and staying up to date with recommended vaccinations.

> - In short: Families of the 10 people who died in last year's Hunter bus crash met with the NSW Attorney-General hoping to reinstate manslaughter charges for the driver. > - The attorney-general told families the charges would not be reinstated. > - A victim's father says the outcome was devastating.

> - In short: A car has narrowly missed hitting people after crashing into a haberdashery shop in central Swansea. > - The shop is a family-owned business that has been running for more than 55 years. > - What's next? The building has been boarded up to be repaired at a later date.

Its interesting that they never decided to move the business into the shopping centres, to try and follow the crowd. Store front rents in those places probably would have killed them.

> Small plane low on fuel circling airport on Monday morning as authorities brace for emergency landing

Live updates being posted here: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2024/may/13/chris-dawson-appeal-murder-lynette-politics-budget-jim-chalmers-anthony-albanese-cost-of-living-inflation-labor-coalition-vic-nsw-qld

> - In short: A woman has lost her liquor licence after a patron was served 22 beers and a shot in a Hunter pub in 2021, the NSW Independent Liquor & Gaming Authority says. > - Tracey Keegan was the licensee of the Gladstone Hotel at Stockton when the man was served the beverages over the course of about six hours, the authority found. > - What's next? Ms Keegan will not be able to hold a liquor licence or associate with a licensee for two years.