Business Hunter Warns Stalling Gas Projects Pose Economic Risks

A new report from Business Hunter says the stalling of gas projects statewide could put the local economy at significant risk.

Projects like the Narrabri Gas Project are behind schedule, putting local supplies under strain.

The report suggests industries relying on gas production, including alumina refinement and food processing, are already facing uncertainty as volatile prices and insecure supply push them to the brink.

CEO of Business Hunter Bob Hawes says while many businesses are hooked up to the gas network, the lines are currently running full. 

"We're already seeing major price spikes, which are making it very, very difficult for businesses and industry to remain competitive," he said.

"We need to think about upgrading our infrastructure to get gas to places where it's required."

Man To Face Court Charged With Murder After Elderly Woman Found Dead At Fern Bay

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to face court charged with murder after an elderly woman was found dead in a Port Stephens home.

Police say around 12.30pm on Thursday December 18, a 61-year-old man attended Newcastle Police Station in relation to an incident at a Fern Bay home.

Officers went to the home on Taylor Road and found the 88-year-old woman deceased.

The man then attended Newcastle Police Station where he was charged with murder (Domestic Violence related).

He's been refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today (Friday 19 December 2025).

Police say the man and woman are known to each other.

 

Awaba House’s Un-Fork-Edible Comeback

 Lake Macquarie’s landmark Awaba House will reopen its doors following an $8 million reconstruction, 6 years after the devastating fire.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz has announced that The Catering Group will be operating the newly refurbished restaurant, slated to open April 2nd 2026.

“The revitalised venue will combine the original historic facade with a modern interior offering dining options that are both exquisite and affordable,” he said.

“I’d like to thank construction company Baseline Projects for their hard work in getting the building to where it is today.

“We’ve tried to keep the historic elements as much as could be salvaged… We’ve tried to hold on to the site’s roots and the essential elements,” he said.

The Catering Company CEO Greg Barclay says the menu will reflect the local area.

"[All the] way we're going to support the local community, using local suppliers, regional suppliers... the product that we're going to be offering is around native Australian ingredients," he said.

The Catering Group CEO Greg Barclay with Mayor Adam Shultz

Appeal Launched To Find Missing Lake Macquarie Man

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are asking for our help to find a man who's gone missing from the Lake Macquarie area.

56-year-old Andrew Leggett was last seen in Belmont at about 8.30 on Monday 15 December 2025.

Police and family hold concerns for his welfare as he lives with a number of health conditions.

Andrew's described as being of Caucasian appearance, 185cm tall with a large build, bald and may be clean shaven and may be wearing a shirt and shorts, although the colour these items is unknown. 

Police believe could be travelling to Queensland.

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

 

Missing man Andrew Leggett

Newcastle Vigil To Be Held for Bondi Shooting Victims

Newcastle residents are being invited to pay their respects to the lives lost at Bondi Beach and stand with the Jewish community at a vigil tonight.

The Newcastle Synagogue on Tyrrell Street at the Hill will welcome people from 7:30pm.

Organisers say Jewish and other locals are being welcomed to grieve together.

Newcastle Rabbi Rossi Rodal says it’s an opportunity to support the community,

“There’s been a feeling of vulnerability and loneliness over the last few years. People, for different reasons, didn’t reach out as much. Maybe they thought it was political … a lot of Jewish people have been feeling vulnerable,” he said.

“We’ve been getting [huge] support from the general community. There’s a lot of emotion, and we felt it’s best to channel it into an event for the whole community.

“Instead of isolated methods of support, it can be a unified response, and people can grieve together,” he said.

Credit / Shawn Anderson / Flickr

Swansea Man To Face Court Accused Of Displaying Nazi Symbol In A Public Place

BY IAN CROUCH

A Lake Macquarie man is due to face court today (Wednesday 17 December 2025) charged with displaying a Nazi symbol in a public place.

Police went to a home on Albert Street Swansea on Saturday December 6 to reports a prohibited Nazi symbol was being displayed on a boat parked at the location.

Following inquiries, police arrested a 32-year-old man at the Albert Street home yesterday (Tuesday 16 December 2025) and executed a search warrant.

They seized two marine vessels and other items for further examination.

The man's been refused bail charged with causing a prohibited Nazi symbol to be displayed in a public place, offensive behaviour and breach of bail.

 

BREAKING! Four People Jump For Their Lives After Fire Engulfs Cooks Hill Unit

 BY IAN CROUCH

Four people have jumped from the third floor after fire engulfed a unit at Cooks Hill overnight.

Around 40 firefighters from six stations and the Hazmat Unit were called to the 3 storey unit block on Parkway Avenue just after 10.30pm on Tuesday November 16 to find a ground floor unit engulfed in flames and several people on the ground suffering various injuries.

They'd broken a window of a top floor unit to escape the intense heat and smoke which was coming through their front door.

Newcastle Fire Command says crews had the fire under control within half an hour and fully extinguished by around 12.30am on Wednesday, with the blaze confined to the one unit 

Four people were taken to the John Hunter Hospital with suspected fractures and orthopaedic injures.

A fifth person was rescued from a second storey unit by firefighters using a ladder and taken to hospital suffering smoke inhalation.

12 people were evacuated from the unit block.

Police have set up a crime scene and forensic police will commence their investigation on Wednedsay morning.