'HIGH RISK': Hunter Businesses Slam Proposed NDIS Cuts

BY OLI GOELDNER

Hunter disability service providers are warning the federal government's proposed changes to the NDIS are putting participants and the economy at "high risk". 

The federal health minister has revealed around 160,000 people are expected to be cut from the disability insurance scheme. 

The NDIS is estimated to cost the Albanese Government around $50 billion, with new eligibility rules set to slash the overall price tag. 

With the changes, all NDIS providers will have to be registered, with digital tracking of their services to be put in place. 

However, the CEO of Hunter-based organisation Connectability Australia, David Carey, said the plan was developed with little to no consultation in the sector. 

"It's not a well thought through plan," he said. 

"They didn't consult about why the reforms are needed and how best to do it to minimise the impact on people with a disability."  

Data from the National Disability Services has revealed 73 per cent of providers are operating at a loss or barely breaking even. 

Mr Carey said the changes will compound financial pressures further. 

"We're going to see the job losses in other sectors as well," he added. 

"It's almost recession-causing in the way its been thought out.

"There's no transition plan and justification for this as far as economic sense, as well as social sense to the community." 

Alongside the planned cuts, the first payment of the Portable Long Service Leave levy is due this month, after being launched in July last year. 

Under the levy, providers are required to absorb a 1.7 per cent additional cost without an increase in funding. 

Contributions from employers are collected by the Long Service Corporation, who use the pooled money to pay long service leave to workers, even if they change employers. 

Mr Carey reported his business, which employs around 500 staff, will have to come up with an extra $600,000 each year to pay the levy.  

He said the levy, in conjunction with the cuts, is going to significantly impact families ability to afford proper care. 

"What's happening now is you're going to see people that are virtual prisoners in their own home," he explained. 

"Families will have to cease work or cut back work to look after their kids because we won't be able to do it on their behalf and have the time to enhance their lives, build skills and go out into the community."

 

 

 

 

 

Staffing, Facility Overhaul Planned For Cessnock Hospital

 BY OLI GOELDNER

A major overhaul of Cessnock Hospital's staffing and facilities is underway, following a visit from Health minister Ryan Park. 

Almost one year since construction began, the foundations are now being laid for the hospital's new acute services building as part of the $138 million Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment. 

The new two-storey building will include an expanded emergency department, operating theatres and day surgery spaces, two new inpatient wards, a sterilising services unit, a new medical imaging service and a modern pharmacy. 

Footings for the building's foundation have been installed, with the final ground floor slab expected to be completed in the coming weeks. 

"We're going to look at the hospital taking shape today," said Health minister Ryan Park ahead of his visit to the Cessnock facility. 

"Over 4,000 cubic metres of concrete are going to be poured and that will form the footprint and the base of the hospital for it to grow over the next little while." 

The redevelopment is expected to be completed by late 2027. 

Alongside the construction, the hospital have now begun rostering to Safe Staffing Levels in the emergency department (ED). 

An additional two full-time equivalent nurses have joined the facility's workforce, bringing the ratio to one nurse to every three patients. 

"This is a really important initiative and it's something that nurses and midwives have rightly advocated for for probably a decade and a half," said Minister Park. 

"56 EDs across NSW have commenced that implementation and 30 have now completed it. 

"We're really happy that Cessnock is one of those where a successful recruitment campaign has taken place and additional nurses have been allocated." 

Artist impression of the Cessnock Hospital Redevelopment. Picture supplied. 

BREAKING! Eleebana Resident Robbed At Knifepoint

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man has been robbed at knifepoint by two strangers in an early-morning break-in at Eleebana.

Police say the man was working in his garage at the Mildura Close home just before 1.00am today (Wednesday 22 April 2026) when two men armed with knives entered through the open garage door and demanded cash.

The pair left with cash and keys in a white SUV believed to have been stolen earlier.

Police say the man's wife and three young children were at home when the incident occurred.

While left shaken, neither the man or his family were injured.

The men are described as being of Caucasian appearance, in their early to mid 20's, wearing hooded jumpers, gloves, pants and wearing face masks - one white and the other blue.

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

 

Fears Held For Hunter Man Missing For More Than Six Weeks.

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are stepping the search for a Hunter man who's been missing since early last month.

69-year-old Gary Millard was last seen at East Maitland on Thursday March 5.

Police say Gary's disappearance is out of character and there are concerns for his welfare.

He's described as being of Caucasian appearance with fair skin, medium build, about 170cm tall with grey hair and a beard.

It's thought Gary may be in the Sydney area.
 

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

 

Missing man Gary Millard

 

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