News Updated Friday 30-07-10
(Next "News Extra" Update Will Be Tuesday 03-08-10).
Child Critical After Struck By Car - Kelso.
Police Media Release.
2010-07-30 03:37:34.
An 11-year-old boy is in a critical condition in hospital after being struck by a car at Kelso, in the state¡¯s central west.
Around 4pm yesterday (Thursday 29 July), the boy alighted from a school bus at the intersection of Halfpenny and James Barnett Drives.
Moments later, the schoolboy ran across the road in front of the bus and was struck by a passing car.
The boy hit the bonnet and windscreen of the vehicle, and was thrown around 25 metres onto the roadway.
Suffering severe head injuries, the child was taken by ambulance to Bathurst Hospital and then airlifted to the Children¡¯s Hospital at Westmead in Sydney.
Police from the Chifley Local Area Command sealed the crash scene for forensic examination and investigations are continuing.
Seven other children on the bus will be offered counselling as a result of the incident.
Latest Calare Candidate Makes 6.
Kaycie Bradford.
In a surprise move, a 3rd Independent has nominated to run for the seat of Calare at the August 21 federal election.
Lithgow resident Macgregor Ross has announced he will take on former Liberal Paul Blanch from Bathurst, former Nationals member Karen Romano from Orange, Labor's Kevin Duffy, The Greens Jeremy Buckingham, and siting MP, The Nationals John Cobb.
Mr Ross is well known in the region as the man behind the hugely successful Ironfest event held annually in Lithgow.
He announced his decision late yesterday.
Police Call For Witnesses After Foiled Abduction In Bathurst.
Nick Appleby.
Police have hailed a West Bathurst father as a hero and a legend, after he fought off an abductor in the backyard of his Suttor Street home in Bathurst, who was attempting to kidnap his 2 year old daughter.
The man gave chase when he saw an intruder carrying his daughter through a gap in the backyard fence just after 10am on Wednesday.
After chasing the man into a nearby reserve, a struggle broke out between the abductor and the father, who managed to get his daughter back.
Police responded after receiving a Triple-0 call from the toddler¡¯s parents, acting quickly to launch a hunt for the abductor.
¡°Bathurst police were immediately contacted and saturated the area, after gathering details, officers circulated the man¡¯s description on local radio,¡± Said Brydie O¡¯Sullivan from the Police Media Unit.
Police followed up these attempts with a comprehensive door knock of the area, involving dozens of police and appealing to hundreds of residents for assistance.
The suspect is described as a male Caucasian, around 30 years of age, with a long straggly beard and scruffy appearance.
Police located a man fitting the description, who was taken to Bathurst Police Station for enquiries, but he was later released with no charge after questioning.
Anyone who has information which may assist police is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Bathurst Police Station on 6332 8699.
Roads Voted An Election Priority By Locals.
Jaimi Starr.
The condition of roads and petrol prices are the two main issues for 89 percent of Central West voters in the seat of Calare, a NEWSPOLL survey has shown.
The survey, commissioned by NRMA Motoring and Services, revealed 72 percent of the 300 Calare voters polled agreed poor road surfaces on their local roads was a main concern.
74 percent believe too little is invested in roads by the government.
The full survey of voters from 12 marginal seats across New South Wales rated roads a higher priority in the election than climate change, education and taxation.
NRMA Western Region Director Graham Blight said the seat of Calare was still up for grabs, with 55 percent of those surveyed unsure about how they will vote at the August 21 election.
Candidates in Calare and the headquarters of the major political parties would be well served to take note of what local voters are telling them,¡± Mr Blight said.
Voters in the seat of Calare flagged the need to tackle poor road surfaces as a major vote-winning issue. Both parties need to have a solution to take to the voters.
The NRMA NEWSPOLL survey also concluded 77 percent of voters want to end Australia's dependence on imported oil and concentrate on renewable sources for the nations transport energy future.
79 percent of voters are also calling for cooperation between the government and private sector to develop these industries.
According to Mr. Blight, the next Member for Calare will need to represent voters in the Central West on oil dependence and Australias transport energy future.
Popular Property In Eglinton.
Monique Fischle.
One of Bathurst's suburbs, Eglinton, is booming in the real estate market.
With very little land still available at Eglinton, it is expected the remaining lots will be snatched up quickly by potential home buyers.
Mick Whittaker from Peter Rogers Real Estate said that the suburb is a favourite among young families due to its close proximity to local schools.
Real Estate experts also point to the easy 10 minute drive to the centre of Bathurst as an added bonus.
An advantage of purchasing land in Eglinton is that the blocks are relatively large and flat, making it an ideal place to raise a family and build a new home.
Peter Ison from Ray White told the Western Advocate that he always saw Eglinton as a good investment for home buyers.
" I have been in real estate for over 30 years and I have always told my clients Eglinton has the best resale area than any other in town", Mr Ison said.
Due to the land prices being more affordable than Bathurst itself, Real Estate experts predict the popularity of the suburb will continue.
Power Station Asbestos To Be Dumped "In House".
Nadine Morton.
Lithgow City Council has reassured its residents that despite reports of asbestos being dumped at the local tip, there are no related safety issues.
Delta Electricity recently deposited 5000 tonnes of asbestos waste at the council tip, which is licensed to accept such material.
The waste has come from the refurbishment of the Wallerawang Power Station and approval from council was sought prior to the project commencing.
Lithgow City Council Mayor Neville Castle, said that provided the proper safety measures are put in place there is no problem accepting this type of waste.
The council tip in Lithgow has long accepted this type of building material and the recent report of 5000 tonnes being deposited is not unusual, Mr Castle said.
"In the scheme of things it is not a huge amount [of asbestos] and the fact is that materials have been deposited there before", he said.
Mr Castle said that if any residents are concerned they are encouraged to contact council but to keep in mind that this type of waste product has long been accepted without any safety issues.
Delta Electricity has already deposited 2000 tonnes of asbestos waste in their own licensed waste facility and expects to be able to dispose of any remaining waste in the same way.
Peter Andren Memorial Scholarships Announced.
Stephanie Macdonald.
Memorial scholarships with Charles Sturt University have been announced at a commemoration for former Independent Member for Calare, Peter Andren, last week.
Mr Andren, who died from pancreatic cancer in 2007, was commemorated at Mount Lindsay Rotary Park in Orange with a tree planting to highlight his hard work and integrity as member of the Australian parliament.
The memorial scholarships will be financed through Mr Andren¡¯s parliamentary superannuation which has been used as the basis of a trust fund.
Greens Leader, Senator Bob Brown, who was a close freidn of Mr Andren's and was the special guest at the memorial, said that the scholarships are a good way to remember the popular MP and his legacy.
"He didn't want that public money flowing into his own pocket. He wanted it doing public good", he said.
Job Expo Essential For Career Opportunities.
Monique Fischle.
The annual Jobs Expo held in Orange yesterday was a success with an estimated 1600 students in attendance.
The expo offers information about different careers, employment opportunities and university training options to year 10 students.
The Orange Function Centre, where the expo was held, has been home to the expo for the past 4 years, with the event itself now in its 10th year.
The Orange City Council has given great support to the Jobs Expo in the past and again this year gave the organisers a discount of the venue.
This year"s expo saw 60 trade and industry based displays.
Twenty three of those displays promoted TAFE Western courses, while 37 represented the region¡¯s major employers as well as employment services and training providers including Charles Sturt University.
The 1600 students consisted of mainly year 10 students anywhere from Lithgow to Condobolin.
John Chivers, a co-organiser of the expo, said that the reason the expo is held at the end of July is due to the fact it is around this time that students are planning for their futures.
"At this time of year they are in the process of going through subject selection, for the subjects they are looking at studying during year 11 and 12, so if they can make those decisions based upon thoughts and ideas backing up what they may do post-school. It's about locking them into a set plan, it's really important that they do that now", Mr Chivers said.