Business Hunter Praises State Government Praised for Local Train Manufacturing Plan

BY MARLEY RAE

Business Hunter CEO Bob Hawes has applauded the NSW Government's pledge to make the Hunter the state's home for train building.

Over the weekend, Premier Chris Minns announced at the NSW Labor Conference they will invest $12 billion to build a new Hunter train manufacturing facility. 

Operated by a private manufacturer, the business would be constructed to provide ongoing support for the region's passenger train fleet, with a former Teralba coal mine and the Broadmeadow Locomotive Depot shortlisted as potential locations.

Mr Hawes believes the announcement is a big win for the Hunter.

"This is a huge vote of confidence from the NSW Government in the Hunter's industrial capability and their desire to see that strength upheld", he said.

"We are really pleased to see the government's adopting a 'build them here' approach and recognising that governments have an ability and responsibility to support jobs, skill development and local businesses through the supply chain by manufacturing trains right here in our states industrial heartland."

The local rail manufacturing industry dried up in 2012, with the new facility to refocus train procurement back to the Hunter after more than a decade of major contracts going offshore. 

"The proposal keys into the regions DNA when it comes to manufacturing, building and making things, especially train building," said Mr Hawes. 

"The government is seeking to make an investment on it's own part, but also is really seeking to provoke private sector investment to get the facility up and running, and we think that's very exciting.

"I'm confident we will get a strong response from not only the investment community, but also the workplace community looking to see this sort of facility go ahead." 

Picture: Transport for NSW

Lyne MP Calls For Community Opinion Ahead Of Gambling Reforms

BY LIAM COLLINS

Proposed reforms on gambling advertisements has spurred Lyne MP Alison Penfold to call for community input. 

The Interactive Gambling Amendment Bill 2026, introduced to the Federal Parliament on Thursday, is looking to ban gambling advertising during live sport broadcasts, on sporting uniforms and at sports venues, as well as stronger protections for children online. 

The bill comes three years after the landmark 2023 Murphy review, a parliamentary inquiry spearheaded by the late MP Peter Murphy which sought to research the harms of online gambling and make recommendations.

Alison Penfold released a survey to residents of her electorate, asking locals what they thought of the proposed reforms.

She said we have to be careful of gambling advertising around a younger sporting audience.

"I've heard stories from teachers where kids aren't talking about the footy teams that are playing, they're talking about the odds of who's going to win, and that has real concern," she said. 

So far, her survey has highlighted a majority support for the reforms from its over 500 responses across the Lyne electorate.

Ms Penfold said the clear, straight-forward responses to the survey were incredibly helpful.

"People have certainly got strong views on this... these are very important matters," she said. 

"I really appreciate people telling me their stories, their family stories, the pain and suffering that comes with someone who's been addicted to gambling."

The responses will be used to construct her arguments on the reforms, once it's debated in Parliament in mid-August. 

The survey is available online and is open until July 24. 

Lyne MP Alison Penfold. 

Construction Complete On $890M John Hunter Acute Services Building

 BY RUBY VAN DE WIJGAART

The construction of the $890 Million John Hunter Health, and Innovation Precinct has been completed.

With staff orientation, system testing and equipment instalment underway, the final stage has begun with the acute services building expected to be open to patients later this year.  

The new seven-storey building includes a new emergency department, projected to accommodate up to 95,000 patients each year. 

It also features 22 new operating theatres and nine interventional suites to accommodate increased demand for procedural services, with the services expected to increase the units capacity by 60 per cent. 

Moreover new birthing suites, inpatient maternity, special care units and a neonatal intensive care unit have also been added. 

The recent state budget delivered a $55 million boost to the development, which increased the total investment to $890 Million -- making it the largest hospital redevelopment outside of Sydney.

The new expansion is connected via four bridges to the existing Hunter Medical Research Institute, maintaining a connection between the two buildings and specialties. 

The new infrastructure introduces more opportunities for education, training and further employment to aid the current availability. 

John Hunter Hospital executive general manager Julie Tait said the next step will be finding staff. 

"I think staffing numbers in NSW are challenging"  Julie Tait admitted. 

"We are constantly trying to recruit and fill.

"Certainly we do carry vacancies on occasion but we have many plans to trying to increase that [staffing numbers]."

Hunter Minister Yasmin Catley said it's a massive milestone for the Hunter.

"The Hunter is growing, and our health services need to grow with it," she said.

"For too long, people outside of Sydney have had to travel further than they should for specialist care and our investment means more people across the Hunter can get world-class treatment closer to home."

John Hunter Hospital Executive General Manager Julie Tait, Hunter Minister Yasmin Catley, Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp. Picture: Ian Crouch

UPDATE! Fears Missing Port Stephens Man May Have Crashed His Motorbike

 BY IAN CROUCH

 Good News!

Police have advised Jonathan Daniel has been found and have thanked the media and the public for their assistance.

EARLIER: 

Fears are growing for the welfare of man who's gone missing from Lemon Tree Passage.

64-year-old Jonathan Daniel was last seen riding away from Cook Parade on his motorbike yesterday morning (Wednesday 1 July 2026) and has failed to return.

His disappearance is out of character and there are concerns he may have crashed his bike.

Jonathan's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 185cm tall with a medium build, grey hair and brown eyes.

He was riding a 2022 red Honda motorcycle with the NSW registration ERG62.

Jonathan is known to frequent the Tea Gardens, The Branch, Girvan, Crawford River and Bulahdelah areas.

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

 

Missing man Jonathan Daniel

 

Million Dollar Tomaree Lodge Master Plan Released

BY JOHN HEWITT

After years of sitting idle there's now movement on the State Government's plans for the Tomaree Lodge precinct.

The Government has released its long-awaited Masterplan for Tomaree Lodge, outlining its future vision for the precinct with an emphasis on its history, natural beauty and connection to the community.

The release of the Masterplan follows the completion of a number of initial projects for the site, including walkway repairs, refurbishment of recreational areas, building upgrades and new CCTV cameras.

In the next phase of its development the Masterplan will focus on arts and cultural events, educational opportunities and local tourism initiatives.

President of the Tomaree Lodge Headland Heritage Group, Peter Clough, said the Masterplan was based on extensive feedback, and reflects the hopes and wishes of the local community.

"The initiatives outlined in the Masterplan make a lot of sense," he said.

"We are particularly pleased with the inclusion of educational facilities and a museum as initiatives for consideration."

The State Government is investing $4.6 million in the site to ensure the precinct can continue to meet community needs and expectations for generations to come.

The Government is also looking at commercial opportunities for the site, including the potential development of a cafe and information centre.

The Masterplan is available on the Department of Community and Justice web site - www.dcj.nsw.gov.a

Tomaree Headland. Picture: Tomaree Headland and Heritage Group

Queens Wharf West Demolition Set For July

 BY CHARLIE PROUDLOCK

A demolition date has been set for the Queens Wharf West, after sitting largely abandoned for more than six years. 

Beginning in July, demolition works will follow a set of sub-structural preparations, including a floating pontoon to ensure the site's utilities are isolated and relocated.

The destruction of the inside is set to take place first, with internal materials and equipment removed alongside the building's balconies and awnings.

From there, two excavators will work in tandem to demolish the main building structure all the way down to it's ground floor slab.

The building's only remaining tenants, Keolis Downer ferry staff, will relocate across the harbour to a new Stockton-based site in early July to make way for works to begin. 

Since 2020, Queens Wharf West has largely been abandoned, after significant damage was caused to the building during a fire.

Of those excited for the redevelopment is Newcastle Lord Mayor Gavin Morris, who said the building has been in poor condition for quite some time.

"Look, it's been a long time coming," he said.

"It's very derelict now and it's covered in graffiti, so scaffolding is going up [because] it is not fit for purpose anymore."

With no confirmed plan for what is to come on the site, Cr Morris said he's curious to see what's to come for the iconic site.

"There's a lot sitting on the table at the moment, [and] there are so many thoughts," he said.

"I think we really need to sit down and think about what is going to sit there and be best for the city.

"There's still a great deal of thought that has to go into it because we need to choose wisely for the city."

Wharf Road will remain open to vehicles, while the western car park will be fenced off throughout the work's duration.

Demolition-related work is expected to take around six months to complete, pending weather and site conditions, with detours to be put in place for walkers and cyclists.

With strong community support present for the precinct's revitalisation, a decision on what will be built on the site will be eagerly-awaited for nearby residents, when council decides in the 2026/27 financial year.

Queens Wharf West building. Picture: City of Newcastle

Police Appeal For Two Anonymous Witnesses To Come Forward In Gordana Kotevski Case.

 BY IAN CROUCH

Strike force investigators believe two anonymous callers from three decades ago could have vital information about one of the Hunter's most baffling cold cases.

Gordana Kotevski was 16-years-old when she was last seen being bundled into a vehicle on Powell Street at Charlestown about 9.00pm on Thursday November 24, 1994.

She was walking to her aunt's house after shopping at Charlestown Square.

A 2003 inquest concluded she was deceased and her death was the result of foul play.

Investigators from Strike Force Bambil are now calling for two anonymous witnesses, both males, to come forward.

One had phoned Newcastle Police Station at about 6.50pm on December 5 1994 to provide "specific information about a person's involvement in the matter".

Two years later, on September 18 1996, a man contacted radio station KOFM in Newcastle and spoke to a presenter, providing similar specific information.

Police say both calls were anonymous and detectives are urging the callers to come forward and speak with investigators about the information they hold. 

It comes nearly four years after the state government increased the reward for information about the suspected murder to $1 million in 2022.

The men, or anyone else with information are being urged to call Belmont detectives on 4922 8774 or get in contact via email at SFBambil@police.nsw.gov.au.

   

Gordana Kotevski