Man Arrested After Pursuit At Rutherford

 BY IAN CROUCH

Court today (Friday 3 October, 2025) for a man allegedly involved in a police pursuit at Rutherford overnight.

Patrolling officers say they noticed a Silver Isuzu SUV being driven is a suspicious manner on Fairfax Road just before 1.30am and gave chase when the vehicle failed to stop.

It's alleged the SUV reached 100 km/hr in a 50 zone before the driver pulled over on Dunkley Street.

Police say the 22-year-old driver was in possession of small quantities of cocaine, cannabis and steroids as well as a knife.

He's been refused bail to face court today charged with driving while disqualified, drug possession, breach of bail and having custody of a knife. 

 

Hunter Housing Industry Welcomes Home Deposit Reforms

 The Housing Industry Association says new Federal reforms to home deposits will open up access to the market and drive up demand.

The Federal Government this week announced first home buyers of all income levels can now purchase a home with only a 5% deposit. In the event of a default, the Government will step in.

But there’s criticism the scheme will inflate property prices.

The Association’s Hunter Executive Director Craig Jennion says he’s not concerned.

“You need to understand the difference between the real estate market and the housing market and they are very much linked,” he said.

“The key is that in the very short term, yes, we will see a slight increase as there are more people out purchasing homes.

“But the great news is that over time we’ll actually see an increase in supply and as a result we’ll see prices stabilise and hopefully actually start to fall,” he said.

Craig Jennion. Via LinkedIn

BREAKING! 10 Hour Stand-Off Ends At Mayfield West

 BY IAN CROUCH

A 10 hour stand-off with police at Mayfield West has ended with a man taken into custody.

Police say officers were called to reports of a concern for welfare at a unit complex on Burunda Street at about 4.30pm on Wednesday October 1, 2025.

It's understood a man had barricaded himself inside the unit and was threatening himself and anyone who approached.

Police say the siege ended at 2.30am on Thursday, with police forcing entry to the unit.

The man was taken to hospital for a mental health assessment.

If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. 

 

Two Men Arrested Over Alleged Armed Robbery On Mayfield Business

 BY IAN CROUCH

Two men are behind bars following an investigation into an alleged armed robbery on a Mayfield fast food store in August.

Police say around 11.30pm on Monday August 18 two men entered the Dominos store on Maitland Road and threatened staff with a firearm before leaving with cash.

Following extensive inquiries, detectives and Tactical Response Police raided a home on Mulga Street at Windale at about 9.30pm on Tuesday September 30, 2025 and allegedly located a firearm, clothing and electronics.

Two men aged 25 and 28 were arrested at the home and taken to Belmont Police Station.

Both were charged with robbery while armed with a dangerous weapon.

The younger man was also charged in relation to an alleged break and enter on the same business in February where cash, keys and a car was stolen.

Both men have been refused bail to front Newcastle Local Court on November 11. 

 

Permanent 2005 Bali Bombings Memorial to be Built as 20th Anniversary Commemorated

 Australia’s Foreign Minister says the bond between the nation and Indonesia is stronger than ever, as a ceremony near Bar Beach will tonight mark the 20 year anniversary of the 2005 Bali Bombings.

The terrorist attack claimed the lives of four Australians, including Newcastle couple Colin and Fiona Zwolinski.

Penny Wong says it’s a difficult day for many.

“In honour of the victims, survivors and all those whose lives were forever changed by the attacks, the Australian Government will fund a new, permanent memorial in Australia to commemorate the 2005 Bali Bombings,” she said in a statement.

“Plans for the memorial will be developed in close consultation with survivors, and families of the victims,” she said.

Special Envoy for Indian Ocean Affairs Tim Watts says the memorial will pay tribute to the ongoing pain and courage of all those affected.

“While these tragic attacks occurred 20 years ago, they are not historic events of the past, and their legacy is still being lived today by everyone involved,” he said.

Bar Beach near where the memorial service will be held. Credit: Wikimedia Commons

State Govt Announces Registrations for Farm Firefighting Vehicles

 Farmers say new State Government registration rules will allow their firefighting utes to use public roads while covered by insurance.

The new rules are lenient compared with standard registration. Critical components such as brakes and steering will need to be compliant.

Mike Gilder is a farmer and Rural Fire Service member at Merriwa. He says it’ll allow farmers to assist the RFS.

“Its great, it’ll allow a lot of farmers to bring in their equipment to fires quicker, maybe faster response from some of fire trucks and keeping the fire small, that’s the most important thing,” he said.

“The farmer fire units go to the fires anyway, but [previously] they’ve been going illegally,” he said.

Mike Gilder

Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison says the reforms have been needed since the Black Summer Bushfires.

“I can’t express how much it impacted me in 2019-2020 being on the fire grounds, I was there.

“This really puts the power back in the community’s hands to help each other and we know in trauma informed response[s], if people have power to help their own response they often recover more quickly,” she said.

Jenny Aitchison

Woman Allegedly Involved In Dangerous Pursuit Through Southern Lake Macquarie With 10-Month-Old Baby In Car

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police say a woman had a 10-month-old baby in her car during a dangerous pursuit from the Central Coast to Swansea.

Just after midday yesterday (Tuesday 30 September, 2025), officers attempted to stop a Volkswagen sedan on the M1 at Somersby and initiated a pursuit when the car failed to stop.

They terminated the chase at the Tuggerah interchange, with the car involved in a crash before continuing north.

Road spikes were deployed twice just north of the Swansea Bridge and again at Pelican, but the driver swerved to avoid them.

The car was later found dumped on Moorilla Close at Windale and police arrested five people, including the driver, near the vehicle.

The alleged driver, a 19-year-old woman is due to front court today (Wednesday 1 October, 2025) charged with several offences including exceeding speed limit for learner driver by more than 45km/hr and drive recklessly/furiously.

The four passengers have been released without charge.