Daily Archives: 15/01/2015

Old Hume Highway’s ‘Route 31’ is our piece of history

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THE drive from Sydney to Melbourne may soon become a “trip down memory lane” for motorists with a new organisation aiming to bring the Old Hume Highway back to life.

Old Hume Highway 31 represents 40 bypassed towns along the Hume Freeway, aiming to bring these communities together to preserve and market the former road as a touring route, similar to the famous Route 66 in the United States.

Dysons North East regional manager Brett Drinnan is a committee member and is a Wodonga spokesman for the group.

He said they wanted to get people reacquainted with history by getting them off the freeway and onto the old roads.

“Dysons owns Cobb & Co Coaches and they were one of the first runners up and down the old highway,” Mr Drinnan said.

“I travelled up and down the old Hume when I started driving buses back in the mid 80s.

“I think it’s just a trip down memory lane, the old highway used to pass right through the centre of town.”

The group is already working with VicRoads and the Roads and Maritime Services to develop a standard sign for the whole length of the old Hume Highway.
Convenor of Old Hume Highway 31 Ltd Frank Burke said a professional map of the route would be made.

“There are no comprehensive maps available of the old Hume Highway 31 nor is there any standardised signage to let people know whether they have found it.

“So how can we expect holiday makers and travellers to visit the old Hume Highway 31 if they can’t find it?

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for the people of Australia to learn about Australia; this is the road around which our nation was built.”
Mr Burke said promotion of the tourist route would also help combat driver fatigue, the second biggest killer on the nation’s roads.

“Drivers need more rests and the best rest they can have is in the 40 towns along the old highway,” he said.

“Getting people to spend money in the smaller towns rather then just stopping at big multi-national convenience stores is also a win.”

The organisation was established at a meeting at Cooma Cottage, the house of Hamilton Hume, in Yass in July last year.

About 70 people representing VicRoads, the RMS, the National Trust and councils attended and unanimously agreed the organisation should be formed.

The group has received international publicity by working with Route 66 in the US and has been gaining momentum on its Facebook page.

Police seize gun following raid – Hunter Valley

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Police have seized a firearm that was allegedly stolen during an aggravated break in, following a raid at the Hunter Valley.
About 2.30pm (Saturday 10 January 2015), a 43-year-old man was at a home on Cooba Bulga Road, Cassilis, when three men wearing masks entered.

The men allegedly detained the 43-year-old before stealing a number of firearms from a gun safe; as well as motorbikes, a Toyota Hilux, and other property.

Yesterday at 1.30pm (Wednesday 14 January 2015), officers from Central Hunter Local Area Command attended a home on Pyne Way, Mount View, and executed a search warrant.

Police will allege they seized a firearm that was stolen during the break-in.

Investigations are continuing and charges are expected to be laid.

Previously, on Sunday 11 January 2015, officers attended a home on Brown Street, Cessnock, where they arrested a 26-year-old man.

He was taken to Hunter Valley Police Station where he was charged with aggravated break, enter and commit serious indictable offence in company, and detain in company with intent to get advantage occasioning actual bodily harm.

The 26-year-old and appeared at Maitland Local Court, and was refused bail to appear at Newcastle Local court on Wednesday 25 February 2015.

CCTV footage released as inquiries into suspicious Newcastle fire continue – Arson Squad

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Arson Squad detectives have released CCTV footage as inquiries continue into a deliberately-lit fire in Newcastle last year.

Emergency services were called to Kemp Street at The Junction just after midnight on Sunday 7 July 2014 where they found a building well-alight.

The blaze was extinguished; however, the building was extensively damaged.

Through initial inquiries, investigators determined the fire was deliberately lit.

Strike Force Chaperon was subsequently formed by detectives from the Property Crime Squad’s Arson Unit with assistance from Newcastle City Local Area Command.

Following initial inquiries, police have today released CCTV footage of a car travelling along Kemp Street shortly before the fire, as well as footage of a man walking near the building.

The grey or silver vehicle is believed to be similar to a late 1990s or early 2000s model BMW 3.

Strike Force detectives believe the man can assist with their inquiries and are appealing for anyone who knows his identity, or recognises the car, to come forward.

GRDC announces new appointments

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GRDC announces new appointments – Agriculture – Cropping – Grains – The Land

TWO growers and a research agronomist have joined the Regional Cropping Solutions Networks (RCSNs) which help to inform investment in grains research, development and extension (RD&E) to address the priority issues and opportunities that affect crop production and profitability in the southern region.

This region includes Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and central west and southern New South Wales.

The four networks – covering the low rainfall, medium rainfall, high rainfall and irrigation cropping zones – were established in 2012 to provide advice to the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) Southern Regional Panel.

Andrew Rice, GRDC manager regional grower services south, has welcomed to the networks the three new members who join 39 other RCSNs members located across the southern region.

“The RCSNs members play an influential role in identifying local issues and providing the Panel with regional intelligence and support,” Mr Rice said.

“We look forward to the contribution of the new members in terms of their unique insights and the set of skills and experience they each bring to the table.”

Holbrook (NSW) mixed farmer Tony Geddes has been appointed to the high rainfall zone (HRZ) RCSN.

Mr Geddes is actively involved in a number of organisations, local RD&E projects, and is the chairman of the Holbrook Landcare Network.

Rohan Brill has been appointed to the medium rainfall zone (MRZ) network.

Based at the Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Mr Brill is a research agronomist and former district agronomist with NSW DPI and is also involved in his family’s mixed farming business.

Also appointed to the MRZ RCSN is Andrew Russell who farms in the Browns Plains district of Victoria.

Mr Russell is a committee member, past chairman and a motivating force of the Riverine Plains Inc, and he has previously served on a Victorian Farmers Federation Research Advisory Committee.

On behalf of the GRDC, Mr Rice thanked outgoing members Neil Vallance (HRZ) and Colin McMaster and Adam Inchbold (MRZ) for their contribution to the RCSNs initiative.

The networks consist of growers, farming systems groups representatives, consultants and other grains industry stakeholders.

The networks are led by four facilitators – Nigel Wilhelm in the LRZ, Jen Lillecrapp and Trent Potter in the HRZ, Rob Fisher in the Irrigation zone, and Tony Craddock and Jen Lillecrapp for the MRZ – and supported by the Panel and Mr Rice.

RCSN members provide essential on-ground linkages between growers, growers groups, agribusiness and researchers and the Panel to better plan and design local activities that will provide the greatest benefit to grain growers.

In 2014, 29 issues identified by the RCSNs were included in the 61 southern region issues prioritised by the panel and put to the GRDC for proposed funding through the GRDC’s External Investment Plan for projects which will commence in July this year.

Among the issues identified by the RCSNs for inclusion in the 2015 investment plan are management of invertebrate pests, improving production on sandy soils in the low rainfall zone, more break crop options, increased inclusion of legumes in farming systems, durum wheat for irrigation, nitrogen management, correct crop sequences after rice under irrigation and management of foliar diseases in high potential canola crops in the HRZ.

Some issues identified by the RCSNs have been addressed through the GRDC’s new ‘fast track’ funding process in which small scale, short time-frame and relatively small budget projects involving in-season responses are quickly activated.

These projects have looked at issues such as slug control and snail baiting, and have enabled herbicide resistance surveys to be carried out.

Some of the data from the fast-track projects is also forming the foundation of information being used in larger GRDC investments.

The RCSNs had initially been particularly focused on aspects of crop protection and profitable farming systems but now their role is evolving and their attention is also turning to areas such as skills and capacity in the grains industry.

More information about the RCSN initiative and contact details for facilitators can be found at the GRDC website.

Appeal following stealing incident – Newcastle

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Police investigating a theft at Newcastle Beach yesterday (Tuesday 13 January 2015); have released an image of a woman they would like to speak to in relation to the incident.

About 1.10pm, a handbag was taken from a table at a café on Shortland Esplanade.

Police were told a woman was allegedly seen to take the handbag and walk towards the Newcastle Beach public toilets.

The woman was confronted by a witness and the owner of the handbag who then recovered the property from her.

Police from Newcastle City Local Area Command were contacted and are continuing their investigation into the incident.

Investigators have now released an image of a person who may be able to assist with their inquiries.

The person depicted in the image is described as being a female of Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 30-40 years old, with a medium build.

At the time of the incident, she is shown in the image wearing a grey singlet top, grey hat and sunglasses.

Police appeal following indecent exposure – Waratah West

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Police have released images of a man who may be able to assist with inquiries after a man allegedly exposed himself to a woman in Waratah West on the weekend.

About 2.30pm (Sunday 11 January 2015), a 24-year-old international student was at a bus stop on University Drive when she was approached by a man.

The man allegedly sat next to her at the bus stop and exposed himself before committing a lewd act.

The matter was reported to police yesterday (Tuesday 13 January) and investigations into the incident are continuing.

Police believe that the man depicted in the photographs may be able to assist with inquiries.

He is described as being of Caucasian appearance, approximately 50-years-old, 175cm tall, with a slim build. He was last seen wearing blue football shorts, dark t-shirt, dark coloured cap, sunglasses, and riding a dark coloured bicycle.

Man charged after armed robbery – Yass

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Police have charged a man after an armed robbery at Yass yesterday.

About 9.40pm (Tuesday 13 January 2015), a 32-year-old man entered a supermarket on Polding Street, Yass, and allegedly stole a kitchen knife and consumed a drink from the store before leaving.

He entered an adjoining bottle store, where he allegedly approached the counter and threatened the attendant with a knife demanding cash.

The attendant complied handing over a sum of cash before the man ran from the store.

A short time later, the man attended a residence on Hume Street, Yass. He left the home and walked to a Laidlaw Street and used a pay phone.

Emergency services and police from The Hume Local Area Command attended.

The man was taken to hospital for treatment to a hand injury. When he was released he was arrested and taken to Yass Police Station.

He was charged with armed robbery with offensive weapon and was bail refused. He appeared at Goulburn Local Court today (Wednesday 14 January 2015) and refused bail to appear at Goulburn Local Court on Wednesday 18 March 2015.

Inquiries are continuing.