Hunter

CEO Bob Hawes says business are hurting and they need certainty.

Newcastle Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen says it will create a stream of income for the city and savings for rate payers.

Three of the cases recorded locally are currently under investigation as health authorities try to piece together how they caught the virus.

Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery says she has been notified by the Department of Education that a student at Jesmond Public School has tested positive to COVID-19.

Of the 284 cases recorded, six are in the Hunter with three under investigation.

When the man was being discharged from hospital around 12:45am on Friday morning he allegedly punched a female constable in the face and ran into nearby bushland.

Morisset High School and Lake Munmorah Public School will be closed today for deep cleaning after 3 confirmed cases of COVID-19.

Residents in the Hunter are being urged to come forward for testing as high viral loads of COVID-19 are found in three local sewerage treatment plants.

A man is due to front court today accused of attempting to rob a Tarro convenience store at knife point.

Detectives investigating the alleged sexual assault of a North Lambton woman last week have applied to have DNA collected from the man accused of the crime.