New Transitional Housing Block Set For Construction In Rutherford

BY WILL MCGRATH

A new block of transitional housing units has been slated for construction in Rutherford.

The units will provide a safe space for women and children who are escaping domestic violence, as well as young parents and people aged between 16 and 24 who are experiencing homelessness.

Hume Housing announced the housing as part of their Maitland Safe Futures project, supported by a $4.59 million investment from Housing Australia through the federal government's Housing Australia Future Fund Crisis and Transitional Housing Program.

The two-storey block will contain eight units, with at least one being fully accessible, all designed in line with Livable Housing Australia Silver Level guidance, as well as maintaining an existing three-bedroom home on the site.

"Eight lives are going to be changed for the better in this community," said Hume Housing CEO Brad Braithwaite. 

"Eight different households who have faced insecurity and are fleeing often from domestic violence who will have a safe and secure place to call home as they put their lives back together."

The project will be delivered in partnership with homelessness services Carrie's Place and Samaritans Youth Services, who will provide on-site support for residents.

Member for Paterson Meryl Swanson said the charities will play a pivotal role for the project.

"It's no good just saying to someone here's a place to live," she said. 

"You do need to help them, point them in the right direction, join them up with services that are available, help them look for work and potentially for childcare. 

"All of the things that all of us need to live a successful, normal and happy life."

Hume Housing CEO Brad Braithwaite and Paterson MP Meryl Swanson. Picture: Ian Crouch

Long-serving Member For Wallsend Announces Retirement

 BY IAN CROUCH

Long-serving Member for Wallsend, Sonia Hornery is calling time on her parliamentary career.

Having served 20 years in state parliament, the highly respected Labor MP has decided not to stand as the party's candidate for Wallsend at the March 2027 election.

In a statement, Sonia Hornery said she was proud of the community, saying it's been a privilege to be the local member.

"Over the past 20 years the Wallsend community has experienced both great and difficult times. I thank the many people and organisations who have supported me and offered their friendship over the years. I want to thank my past and current staff who I’ve had the pleasure of employing over the years. I also want to thank the many people in our community who have assisted by my office. Listening to

stories of good outcomes is a highlight of my job," she said.

Sonia Hornery served as a Councillor on Newcastle City Council from 2002 until 2008 before being elected the Member for Wallsend in 2007 following the retirement of John Mills.

The former history teacher has held many parliamentary roles during her career including Shadow Minister portfolios for the Hunter, the Arts, Science and Medical Research.

Sonia Hornery also served as Parliamentary Secretary for Roads and Parliamentary Secretary for Transport - a role from which she was demoted after opposing then Premier Nathan Rees on the privatisation of public owned assets and campaigning in the ALP caucus for his replacement as Premier of NSW. 

She currently serves as the Deputy Speaker in the NSW Legislative Assembly and regularly fills in for fellow Hunter parliamentarian and Speaker, Greg Piper.

In the meantime, the local member says it's business as usual.

"I will be the Member for Wallsend up until the election in March. Please do not hesitate to contact

my office if you require assistance with any State matters," she said.

Premier Chris Minns has paid tribute to the Wallsend MP, saying she should be very proud of her achievements.

"She's stood by her community through good times and difficult ones, and her community has stood by her. I wish Sonia all the very best for her retirement and I hope she gets some well-earned time for herself," he said.

Sonia Hornery

Search Under Way For Missing Teen From Waratah

BY IAN CROUCH

Fears are growing for the welfare of a teenage boy who's been missing from Waratah since the weekend.

14-year-old Archer Haynes-Prior was last seen in Station Street at about 7.30pm on Sunday.

He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 185cm tall with a thin build and brown hair, and was last seen wearing black tracksuit pants, a black Geed Up hoodie and blue Nike TN shoes.

Archer is known to frequent the Wallsend, Shortland and Sydney CBD areas.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Newcastle Police Station or Crime Stoppers.

Missing Teen Arch Haynes-Prior

Major Police Operation Targets Anti-Social Behaviour At East Maitland

 BY IAN CROUCH

Several people have been arrested during a police operation overnight targeting anti-social behaviour around the Greenhills Shopping Centre precinct.

It follows complaints about groups of young people riding recklessly on unregistered motorbikes around the busy shopping centre in recent weeks.

Police commenced Operation Restore at about 2.30pm yesterday (Thursday 29 October, 2026) which continued until 10.00pm, targeting anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and youth crime.

Five youths were arrested and charged with a number of offences including affray, trespassing and stealing while another three youths were dealt with under the Young Offenders Act.

An adult was also arrested and charged with a number of traffic offences and two motorcycles were seized.

Police say the operation will continue.

Fears Grow For Hunter's Flying Fox Population As Starvation Event Continues

 BY WILL MCGRATH

Hunter residents are being urged to keep an eye out for sick and injured flying foxes, with a food supply shortage causing many to become weak or die.

Flying foxes are recognised as a key species in the Australian ecosystem, responsible for pollination and seed distribution.

"About 80 per cent of our gum trees are pollinated by flying foxes because they fly such great distances and spread their seeds around," said Hunter Wildlife Rescue vice president Kerry Walker.

"They are absolutely critical to biodiversity and ecology." 

Due to an unusually warm and dry winter, trees which are used for food by the bats have had their regular flowering patterns disrupted.

This has forced the species to look elsewhere for food, leading them to consume items which are toxic to them, such as fruit from the green cocos palm.

Ms Walker said they've seen a large spike in the number of sick flying foxes reported to the service.

"It's been very widespread, clearly, that the trees haven't come into flower as much as they should, and they don't have enough nectar," she said. 

"That's causing there to be insufficient food for the flying foxes all over the state." 

It coincides with a wave of premature births, and with not enough food to go around, many pups are dying young due to mothers unable to provide sufficient nutrition

Experts say the loss of an entire generation of the species is now on the cards.

Residents wanting to help the species are asked to hang 'garlands' of fruit, such as melon, apple and pear, but not banana, on trees for bats to eat.

Those who come across a sick or injured flying fox are advised leave it alone and call Hunter Wildlife Rescue on 0418 628 483.

A female flying fox and her newborn pup brought into care after being discovered emaciated in Lake Macquarie. Picture supplied. 

Cessnock Council Demand Meta Take Down Viral Abuse Video

 BY MAJELLA MCGRATH

Cessnock Council is demanding tech giant Meta remove a Facebook video of a council worker being verbally attacked while on the job.  

Last week, 44-year-old Western Sydney man Gregory Tait allegedly filmed an heated interaction with a Cessnock Council worker and posted it on his social media. 

In the video, Tait approaches a worker mowing grass and picking up rubbish along Wine Country Drive at Nulkaba and proceeds to verbally abuse him. 

Council said the videos are still circulating online, despite reportedly going against Meta's guidelines.  

Tait was recently convicted for spouting violent death threats to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the day after the Bondi Beach Terror Attack. 

On Friday October 16, he faced Paramatta Local Court, where he was handed a recognisance sentence and ordered to pay $1000. 

Tait has posted a series of concerning videos on his Facebook page being seen to verbally abuse a number of councils across the state, including Cessnock Council. 

The United Services Union (USU) and Cessnock Council have condemned Meta's failure to promptly remove videos, demanding the company take immediate action to protect workers from further online abuse.  

Mayor Daniel Watton says he's fed up with the way council staff are treated and there is no excuse for people, especially those completing a job, to be abused.

"We are doing everything we can to communicate with Meta, our requests are in line with their standards," he said. 

"So we expect this to be taken down swiftly."

USU general secretary Graeme Kelly said workers safety and wellbeing must come before a social media company's willingness to host abusive content.

"Meta has been asked to remove these videos," he said. 

"It's failure to act is unacceptable. 

"A company with Meta's resources should be capable of responding promptly when workers are being targeted on its platform."

Mr Kelly said the attacks reinforce the urgent need for stronger legislative protections for council employees providing services to the public.

There is now a call for the NSW Government to make legislation to protect council workers and other service workers a priority. 

Gregory Tait leaving Parramatta Local Court on Friday. Picture: Nine News/Sam Mooy

Police Searching For Woman Last Seen in Pokolbin

 Police are looking for information into the disappearance of a woman from the Hunter region. 

38-year-old Georgia Goldstein, also known as Georgia Hall, was last seen on Hermitage Road in Pokolbin at around 9.30pm last Wednesday. 

She's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 165cm tall, of medium build, with dark brown hair. 

Police say she may be travelling in a navy-blue Volkswagen Tiguan with Victorian number plates 2EM2EF. 

Anyone with information about Georgia's whereabouts is urged to contact Hunter Valley District Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.