This Newsnight tape is part of the NBN Television archive and was digitised by our first UON Communication student Tom Sinclair who undertook a WIL (work integrated learning) practicum in the GLAMx Living Histories Digitisation Lab in September 2017. Many thanks to Phillip Lloyd and Barry Nancarrow (former NBN Television staff) who are digitising various forms of material from 1988, including BVU tapes, Index cards and listing items as they are appeared in the ‘Newsnight’ series footage. In total 28 taped stories from “Newsnight” current affairs and cued sheets were digitised and scanned.
Newsnight BETACAM 17 tape contains:
00:10 – 01.56 – Male Reporter – Public gallery – Council meeting at Newcastle Town Hall – so many people that they needed extra seating. Stockton residents and the neighbouring chemical plant manufacturers on Kooragang Island, with 5 more being proposed to be built there. The residents say no more, Norm Besan, Chairman of the North of the Harbour residents group, presented environmental & health issues to council.
A fluorocarbon plant being moved from Sydney to Kooragang, which has not met Sydney pollution requirements; it has been banned and is closing down in Sydney. 2 already approved $1.6 million dollar Eastern Nitrogen extension & a $1.2 million plant for Chemcon, Chemical plan. Yet to be approved A.F.C. – Fluorocarbon Plant, $10 million. I.C.I. – Pharmaceutical Plant & BHP/Utah – Manganese Dioxide Plant, $62 million. None of the companies spoke at the public access meeting. Dated 2/8/1988
02:10 – 09.47 – Reporter Jim Sullivan – Caves Beach Development same Canadian architect as designed Sanctuary Cove Hyatt, Southport QLD. In Port Douglas, Far North the Reef Mirage Sheraton Hotel QLD. Gordon Pacific the developers want a mix of resort and residential living for Caves Beach like these 2 developments. Gordon Pacific purchased the 720 hectares at Caves Beach came with the Wallamaine Mining Company for $550.000. The largest development by the company, partnered with Hulberts architects, Noel Gordon,the owner of Gordon Pacific says natural areas will be protected as much as possible, the hotel and golf course will be built 1st, before residential building starts. Five star 300 bed Hotel & reports suggest a 60% occupancy 1st yr. & 70% in the 2nd yr only an hour from Sydney. Visitors from local area & overseas to stay at the hotel. Tourism is our greatest asset. Dated 8/8/1988
10:02 – 10.34 – Helicopter flyover/filming the Gordon Pacific site – Caves Beach and news crew walking through the rainforest. Dated: 9/8/1988
10:47 – 11.34 – Helicopter flyover/filming Gordon Pacific site Caves Beach – the coast and inland/Pacific Hwy. Dated: 9/8/1988
11:48 – 13.49 – Female Reporter. Media Conference – Maitland, District Superintendent Rick Kane talks about the (Yachts) Around Australia Race organisers lack of forethought & an enquiry will take place after rescues that took place for competitors of the race. The police sea launch,Sea Eagle was used to rescue people from a yacht. Rick Kane – a common sense approach – ie. Put the race off until better sea’s had abated. It will be worked out who shall pay costs and held responsible. Myuna III arrived back into port after issuing a mayday, it lost it’s rudder. Skipper Ed Kindred – we pay taxes towards these services for them to help others. Organisers defended the race & said that safety was considered & that equipment surpassed standards – survival suits, hand held waterproof VHS radios and calamity packs, which aren’t required on Sydney to Hobart Yachts. Dated: 9/8/1988. Dated: 9/8/1988
14:02 – 20:48 – John Church reports on the new freeway that is being built. This comes to a standstill west of Barnsley . Now the road peels off the new road and by passes through Pelaw Main. The normally quiet suburban street are not used to this high volume of traffic and it is destroying the roads. Roads and traffic did not comment. The engineer of the project says it is up to Cessnock council to fix their roads. Cessnock mayor has said they do not have the funding Dated: 16/8/1988
20:49 – 22:53 – John Church reports on the Budget for the Hunter 1. People of the Upper Hunter will benefit in the budget the government will continue it’s testing for chemicals in the beef industry. 2. Williamtown Defence Force personal and Soldier’s at Singleton and housing. 3. Talks about Australian Warship Systems They are competing with Victoria for the contract. 4. The Coal industry Dated: 23/8/198.
We also thank WIL students and volunteers for their contributions in digitising the NBN Television Archive.