State In Support Of Locking In Hamilton CCTV Trial

 BY OLI GOELDNER 

Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp is confident the state could fund the proposed CCTV trial of Beaumont Street. 

On Tuesday, Newcastle councillors voted in support of the trial, after months of deliberation. 

They endorsed a run of up to three years within a defined location on Beaumont Street at Hamilton, in a bid to combat a recent spike in anti-social behaviour. 

"I'm so relieved and happy for the community," said Councillor Jenny Barrie. 

"We've been working towards this for six months since we stated the Hamilton Community Safety Committee after a whole year of talks on CCTV.

"The community deserves to have such a basic tool that's used right across the state and Australia in local government areas." 

However, the trial is conditional on the state government contributing no less than 50 per cent of the total cost. 

Council reports indicate the total bill is estimated at $225,000, including upfront and monthly costs associated with installing and maintaining the required infrastructure. 

Mr Crakanthorp has been a long-time supporter of the motion, recently presenting a 1000 signature petition to state parliament endorsing the trial.

Today, he announced he has engaged in talks with Police Minister Yasmin Catley over the ruling. 

"I've had a number of discussions with Minister Catley's office about it," he said. 

"We're confident that we can come up with half of that." 

A formal endorsement is yet to be issued. 

Concerns Held For Woman Missing From Calvary Mater Hospital

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are asking for our help to locate a young woman reported missing from the Calvary Mater Hospital at Waratah.

28-year-old Teagan Few was last seen at about 2.45pm on Saturday April 25 and there are concerns for her welfare as she lives with a medical condition which requires ongoing treatment.

Teagan is described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 170cm tall with a thin build and long brown hair and was last seen wearing a grey baggy jumper and glasses.

She's known to frequent the Newcastle, Booragul and West Wallsend areas.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Newcastle Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

 

Teagan Few went missing from the Calvary Mater Hospital on Anzac Day

Hunter Water Dips Into Tomago Sandbeds As Stores Decline

 BY JOHN HEWITT

Hunter Water will start dipping into supplies from the Tomago Sandbeds, following a steady decline in the region's overall water stores. 

Overall water storages are down by more than 20 per cent since last November, leaving levels at 63.7 per cent capacity, which is just above the 60 per cent trigger for Stage One water restrictions. 

Stage one restrictions include reducing daytime outdoor watering and the use of trigger nozzles, along with advice to customers to implement their own measures such as fixing leaking taps and toilets, waiting for a full laundry load and aiming for no more than a four minute shower.

With the long-term weather outlook predicting warmer and drier conditions associated with an increased chance of an El Nino event, Hunter Water has decided to begin supplying drinking water from the Tomago Sandbeds.

Hunter Water executive manager Glen Robertson said the Sandbeds play a significant role in the region's water supply system, providing up to 20 per cent of drinking water during times of shortfall.

He said there may be temporary changes in water taste and colour for some customers but the water remains safe to drink after having been tested at multiple points before entering the drinking water network.

"Groundwater contains higher levels of naturally occurring minerals such as iron and manganese and these minerals can be more difficult to remove during treatment and may occasionally cause some discolouration, which is not a health concerns," Mr Robinson explained. 

In addition to increasing supply through the Sandbeds other initiatives being deployed include working with businesses and communities around ways to save water, and ensuring all water storages remain available to address prolonged periods without rain. 

There is also work underway on a desalination plant, although that won't be available until 2028.

In the meantime, Hunter Water said the additional supply from the Sandbeds, along with smart water choices by consumers, can delay the need for any water restrictions.

It is currently forecasting the 60 per cent threshold for stage one restrictions to be reached in mid to late June.  

Tomago Sandbeds. Picture: Hunter Water

BREAKING! Firefighters Called To Lambton Convenience Store

 BY IAN CROUCH

An investigation is getting under way into the cause of a fire in the upper level of a Lambton convenience store early today (Tuesday 28 April 2026).

Seven fire trucks were called to the Ezy Mart on Elder Street just after 4.00am to find smoke issuing from the second storey above the shop.

They took about 30 minutes to get the fire under control, with the blaze fully extinguished by 4.45am.

The fire was contained to the upper level.

Newcastle Fire Command says no-one was in the building at the time and no-one was injured.

 

'HIGH RISK': Hunter Businesses Slam Proposed NDIS Cuts

BY OLI GOELDNER

Hunter disability service providers are warning the federal government's proposed changes to the NDIS are putting participants and the economy at "high risk". 

The federal health minister has revealed around 160,000 people are expected to be cut from the disability insurance scheme. 

The NDIS is estimated to cost the Albanese Government around $50 billion, with new eligibility rules set to slash the overall price tag. 

With the changes, all NDIS providers will have to be registered, with digital tracking of their services to be put in place. 

However, the CEO of Hunter-based organisation Connectability Australia, David Carey, said the plan was developed with little to no consultation in the sector. 

"It's not a well thought through plan," he said. 

"They didn't consult about why the reforms are needed and how best to do it to minimise the impact on people with a disability."  

Data from the National Disability Services has revealed 73 per cent of providers are operating at a loss or barely breaking even. 

Mr Carey said the changes will compound financial pressures further. 

"We're going to see the job losses in other sectors as well," he added. 

"It's almost recession-causing in the way its been thought out.

"There's no transition plan and justification for this as far as economic sense, as well as social sense to the community." 

Alongside the planned cuts, the first payment of the Portable Long Service Leave levy is due this month, after being launched in July last year. 

Under the levy, providers are required to absorb a 1.7 per cent additional cost without an increase in funding. 

Contributions from employers are collected by the Long Service Corporation, who use the pooled money to pay long service leave to workers, even if they change employers. 

Mr Carey reported his business, which employs around 500 staff, will have to come up with an extra $600,000 each year to pay the levy.  

He said the levy, in conjunction with the cuts, is going to significantly impact families ability to afford proper care. 

"What's happening now is you're going to see people that are virtual prisoners in their own home," he explained. 

"Families will have to cease work or cut back work to look after their kids because we won't be able to do it on their behalf and have the time to enhance their lives, build skills and go out into the community."

 

 

 

 

 

Staffing, Facility Overhaul Planned For Cessnock Hospital

 BY OLI GOELDNER

A major overhaul of Cessnock Hospital's staffing and facilities is underway, following a visit from Health minister Ryan Park. 

Almost one year since construction began, the foundations are now being laid for the hospital's new acute services building as part of the $138 million Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment. 

The new two-storey building will include an expanded emergency department, operating theatres and day surgery spaces, two new inpatient wards, a sterilising services unit, a new medical imaging service and a modern pharmacy. 

Footings for the building's foundation have been installed, with the final ground floor slab expected to be completed in the coming weeks. 

"We're going to look at the hospital taking shape today," said Health minister Ryan Park ahead of his visit to the Cessnock facility. 

"Over 4,000 cubic metres of concrete are going to be poured and that will form the footprint and the base of the hospital for it to grow over the next little while." 

The redevelopment is expected to be completed by late 2027. 

Alongside the construction, the hospital have now begun rostering to Safe Staffing Levels in the emergency department (ED). 

An additional two full-time equivalent nurses have joined the facility's workforce, bringing the ratio to one nurse to every three patients. 

"This is a really important initiative and it's something that nurses and midwives have rightly advocated for for probably a decade and a half," said Minister Park. 

"56 EDs across NSW have commenced that implementation and 30 have now completed it. 

"We're really happy that Cessnock is one of those where a successful recruitment campaign has taken place and additional nurses have been allocated." 

Artist impression of the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment. Picture supplied. 

BREAKING! Eleebana Resident Robbed At Knifepoint

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man has been robbed at knifepoint by two strangers in an early-morning break-in at Eleebana.

Police say the man was working in his garage at the Mildura Close home just before 1.00am today (Wednesday 22 April 2026) when two men armed with knives entered through the open garage door and demanded cash.

The pair left with cash and keys in a white SUV believed to have been stolen earlier.

Police say the man's wife and three young children were at home when the incident occurred.

While left shaken, neither the man or his family were injured.

The men are described as being of Caucasian appearance, in their early to mid 20's, wearing hooded jumpers, gloves, pants and wearing face masks - one white and the other blue.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.