The Latest Breaking News from Hunter

Newcastle and Hunter region now in firing line and subject to severe weather warnings as clean-up begins further north

Severe weather warnings for Sydney, the Illawarra and Central Tablelands are lifted but the State Emergency Service says flood-affected areas are not out of the woods yet, while the Hunter region can expect more storms tonight.

The government has put a key slice of Newcastle port land on the market three days before the competition watchdog launches a Federal Court appeal over the state's port lease deals.

Two people from the Hunter region were among the 22 who died with COVID-19 across NSW in the 24 hours to 8pm on Saturday.

But overall the Hunter's fixed and red light speed cameras are on track to gather less revenue than the previous calendar year.

Firefighters in the Hunter had a busy day on Thursday, with three serious blazes at homes across the region within 12 hours.

Representatives from government, industry and the community will come together next week to identify priorities and pathways to ensure the Hunter will be ready to capitalise on enhanced access to global markets resulting from the Newcastle Airport runway upgrade.

Another person has been added to the list of people from the Hunter who have died with COVID-19.

For four generations, members of the Osborn family have farmed land by the Hunter River at Pitnacree, and they hope there will be a fifth generation, but they now worry that has been cast into doubt because of a proposed NSW government rule that will cut into when they can…