Experts Flag Holes In High Speed Rail Plans

 BY OLI GOELDNER 

Experts are pointing out supposed holes in the plans for the Newcastle to Sydney High Speed Rail project, as the tender process continues. 

On Tuesday, hundreds of national and international industry representatives met in Newcastle to discuss the project's next steps. 

Two tender packages were released following the industry briefing. 

The first will facilitate the design and construction of about 35 kilometres of twin tunnels, associated rail works and an underground railway station on the Central Coast. 

The second is looking into the supply of high speed trains, rail system design, rail depot construction and the commissioning of all relevant systems for the Newcastle to Sydney route. 

High Speed Rail Authority (HSRA) CEO Tim Parker said it's a crucial step to progressing the project. 

"By doing this work up front, we'll be able to give government more certainty on the costs, the benefits and also make sure that we're construction ready," he said. 

"So, if the government says go, we can start construction immediately from that point." 

However, strategic planner and construction manager Graham R. McDonald has flagged several concerns with the project's current plans. 

"The absence of a strategic plan means that HSRA lacks a long term vision for the development of a high-speed rail network on the East Coast," Mr McDonald explained. 

"Without integrated planning, HSRA decisions are inevitably arbitrary, biased and ill-conceived." 

Mr McDonald has been following the project since it's inception in 2023, and he believes the planned corridor's heavy reliance on tunnelling will significantly impact its overall speed. 

Approximately 115 kilometres or 60 per cent of the planned track consists of tunnels, which would impose operational speed restrictions of around 160 km/h due to safety requirements. 

The lowered speed is only half of the promised full-speed of the trains, set at 320 km/h, meaning a reduction in travel time benefits of around 50 per cent. 

Mr Parker said they're focused on meeting the proposed travel time. 

"The speed in the tunnel is around 200 km/h," he said. 

"That's twice as fast as Sydney Metro and faster than any train in Australia at the moment.

"But, everyone focuses on top speed. 

"What you have to focus on is travel time -- one hour.

"If people could get from Newcastle to Sydney in one hour, I think we're going to take a lot of cars off the road." 

High Speed Rail Authority CEO Tim Parker. Picture: Ian Crouch

Missing Indian Man Could Be In The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police believe a man reported missing from Sydney could be in the Hunter region.

48-year-old Varum Badmi was last seen in Quakers Hill yesterday (Monday 20 April 2026) and concerns are growing for his welfare as he's been unable to be contacted or located.

He's described as being of Indian Sub-Continental appearance, about 165cm tall with a medium build and short black hair and was last seen wearing a green shirt and black shorts.

Varum may be driving a grey Rav 4 with the NSW registration FEH 27B.

Police say he's known to frequent the Cessnock area.

 

Missing man Varum Badmi could be in the Cessnock area.

Greens Celebrate Result Despite Lord Mayoral Loss

BY MARLEY RAE

Greens candidate Charlotte McCabe is celebrating a historic result in this year's Newcastle Lord Mayoral by-election, despite a major loss. 

The Greens received nearly 20 per cent of the overall vote with more than 14,000 Novocastrians voting for the progressive party.

It marks a five per cent increase in the party's primary vote as it stood on Sunday.

Cr McCabe said she is thrilled to see the support for minor parties.

"I'm really thankful to everyone who gave me their support and put number one in the Greens box this time around," she said. 

"It's so great to see that every election, the Greens vote just keeps on growing."

Despite the success, independent candidate Gavin Morris secured a landslide victory, claiming almost 50 per cent of the overall vote.

Cr McCabe said while she is supportive of Gavin, she is concerned around his lack of council experience.

"I think Gavin's definitely going to be on a learning curve but we all understand that," she added.

"I think it would have been preferable to have someone coming to the role who was experienced."  

Trailing behind the Greens in third place was Labor's Declan Clausen who was expected to be Gavin's biggest rival, claiming only 16 per cent the overall vote. 

Additionally, Liberal candidate Jenny Barrie only secured seven per cent of votes, a notable low for the major party. 

Picture: Charlotte McCabe

BREAKING! More Than 100 Firefighters Battle Fire At Glendale Technology High School

 BY IAN CROUCH

Dozens of firefighters are battling a major fire at the Glendale Technology High School.

Newcastle Fire Command says they received four triple-zero calls to the fire just after 1.00am today (Monday 20 April 2026), arriving to find a two storey building up in flames.

Around 120 firefighters from stations across Newcastle and Lake Macquarie are battling the flames with Central Coast stations on stand-by.

The roof of the building collapsed at the height of the blaze as crews worked to save adjoining buildings.

There are no reports of injuries.

A spokesperson for Fire and Rescue NSW says it's one of the largest fires in the Newcastle area in recent years.  

The Fire and Rescue Investigation Unit and Police will look into the cause of the fire once it's safe to do so.

A crime scene has been established. 

 

Fire tore through the two storey building at Glendale Technology High School. Picture Fire & Rescue NSW

 

 

Faulty Information Blamed For Mistaken Release Of Inmate

 BY LIAM COLLINS

Faulty court information has been blamed for the mistaken release of a wanted man to Newcastle. 

35-year-old inmate Kyle Quayle was handed down a year sentence at Newcastle Local Court on Tuesday 14 April for larceny, assault, and other crimes. 

He was taken to Clarence Correctional Centre in Grafton, but was mistakenly released later the same day. 

On Thursday, NSW Police announced following his release they believed Quayle travelled from Grafton to Newcastle, prompting a subsequent city-wide manhunt. 

He was later captured on Boreas Street at Hamilton North on Thursday afternoon, where he was subsequently charged at Newcastle Police Station by virtue of an outstanding warrant. 

The mistake was attributed to an administrative error and miscommunication between the involved parties, with the specific error still undisclosed, with NSW Premier Chris Minns labelling the incident as  "embarrassing."

Corrections Minister Anoulack Chanthivong said the mistake should've never happened. 

"It's unacceptable that an inmate was inadvertently released," he said. 

"But fortunately, to the good work of NSW Police and others, the inmate has been recaptured and is now in custody." 

Quayle was refused bail and expects to face trial today.

Minister Chanthivong explained the incident was a failure and the government plans to take steps to address and mitigate the issue.

"When instances like this happen they are concerning," he added. 

"Corrections will always look for ways to improve our processes to make sure that mistakes are not made, because community safety is the Minns Labor Government's top priority." 

Investigations are now underway into how Quayle was allowed to be released, with plans to prevent similar occurrences under development. 

Picture: NSW Police

Officer Injured During Police Operation On The Fernleigh Track: Man In Custody

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to front court today (Friday 17 April 2026) accused of hitting a police officer with an unregistered motorbike during a police operation on the Fernleigh Track at Kahibah.

Officers on e-bikes were conducting high-visibility patrols on the track at about 11.30am yesterday (Thursday 16 April 2026) following reports of anti-social behaviour.

They were speaking to a 14-year-old boy when a man on a motorbike approached the officers but allegedly failed to stop as directed and struck an officer in the arm before crashing into a guard rail.

The officer was not seriously injured and did not require hospital treatment.

The 47-year-old man was arrested - he's been charged with seven offences including drive recklessly/furiously at speed in a manner dangerous and refused bail to face the Bail Division Court today.

 

Officers have been regularly patrolling the Fernleigh Track on E-bikes following reports of anti-social behaviour. Photo NSW Police

NDIS Workers Under Pressure With Rising Fuel Costs

 BY BRONWYN VERWEY

The Australian College of Trade Unions (ACTU) and Australian Services Union (ASU) are pushing for increased fuel allowances for the Hunter's disability support sector. 

The initiative comes as ASU received calls from NDIS workers struggling to support disabled clients, amidst high fuel costs.

Disability support workers are often required to use their own vehicles to transport participants to appointments, activities and services. 

Workers claim they're losing money whilst working without adequate allowances, having to cover fuel costs out of pocket. 

Additionally, shortages in the disability sector shortages are expected to increase, potentially putting clients at risk. 

ASU Secretary Angus McFarland said the government needs to assist. 

"During the COVID-19 pandemic, the government stepped in with urgent support to keep disability services running." he said

"We need that same urgent now. 

"NDIS workers need a transport allowance that covers high fuel costs so they can keep driving and supporting their clients." 

Picture: ShiftCare