Calls For New Nature Reserves As Part Of Hunter Transmission Project

BY CHARLIE PROUDLOCK

The Nature Conservation Council of NSW is calling on the state government to re-think the Hunter Transmission Project.

The major initiative is set to incur a sweep of deforestation across a large portion of the Hunter's bushland, with the Conservation Council asking for additional nature reserves to offset it's predicted impact. 

It follows submissions from fellow environmental groups slamming the planned deforestation which will take place during to the project's construction, including at Olney, Watagan and Pokolbin state forests. 

In an effort to combat the impacts, the Conservation Council has released a report identifying 11 new strategic reserves to be added in conjunction with the major project, set to strengthen ecological connectivity across the region.

The listed reserves include 700 hectares of former BHP land at West Wallsend, 580 hectares adjacent to Newcastle Link Road, and about 3,000 hectares of land in the Hunter Economic Zone at Tomalpin. 

The Conservation Council's Policy and Advocacy Director Brad Smith said their main goal is to stop the decline in some of the State's most critically endangered species.

"The [Hunter Transmission] Project itself is about 100 kilometres long and the area it will disturb is about 1,000 hectares," he said.

"Of the 1,000 hectares, around 200 is endangered bushland.

"We're saying to just give those State forests back to National Parks.

"At the moment, they're being logged, and by removing the logging threat from those State forests, it would have a great impact for nature in the region."

Mr Smith went further to call on Newcastle Council to back them in their push for renewed ecological health in the region.

"We hope everyone would be on our side, because this is a good outcome for nature," he said.

"We know we need to get ahead with this transmission line and bring the solar, wind power to the businesses and home who need it, but we don't want to see nature sidelined in the process.

"This is really a once-in-a-generation opportunity to really take hold of some of these beautiful natural areas in the Hunter and protect them for everyone into the future."

Currently, project refinements are continuing to be made following field surveys, agency consultation and community feedback.

Picture: NSW Government. 

Police Seek Help To Find Morriset Man

 BY IAN CROUCH

A search continues for a man who's been missing from the Morisset area for more than a week.

32-year-old Codie Sams last seen at about 4.00pm on Friday 13 March 2026.

Police and family hold concerns for his welfare as he requires regular medication.

Codie's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall with a medium build, short blonde/brown hair with a similar coloured beard and moustache

He also has a tattoo on his right hand.

Codie was last seen wearing a green hoodie, green pants and black shoes.

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

 

Missing man Codie Sams

Man In Custody Accused Of Stabbing Muso At Merewether Club

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is assisting police with their inquiries over an alleged stabbing in Merewether overnight.

Emergency services were called to the Merewether Bowling Club on Caldwell Street just after 7.30pm on Sunday 22 Mar 2026 to reports of an assault.

Police were told a man who was working as a musician at the club had been stabbed several times near the entrance to the club by another man.

The 69-year-old was taken to hospital in a serious but stable condition with stab wounds to his chest and back.

Just after 1.30am today (Monday 23 March 2026) detectives arrested a 53-year-old man at a Stockton home.

He was taken to Newcastle Police Station where investigations are ongoing.

 

Train Manufacturing Returns To The Hunter

 BY OLI GOELDNER

Nearly 40 years since the Tangara trains were built in Newcastle, the fleet will return to the region for much-needed maintenance. 

A $447 million injection from the state government will see two new production lines established at Cardiff's rail facility. 

The program will extend the life of 55 eight-carriage trains by over a decade through a variety of maintenance works. 

Works include the replacement of internal cladding, computer software, the installation of additional accessible emergency help points, emergency door release, passenger visual displays, upgrades to the passenger address system and CCTV. 

Regional Transport Minister and Maitland MP Jenny Aitchison said it's a positive step forward. 

"This allows us to ensure that we have that reliability of the Tangaras that people have come to rely on over so many decades," she said. 

"This is really a vote of confidence in the Hunter and a way of building our capacity to ensure that we can deliver the trains for the future right here in the Hunter. 

"We know that the Hunter has a proud history of building trains. 

"This refurbishment work will help to redevelop and extend the skills of that workforce." 

Around 100 new jobs and 20 apprenticeships are expected to be created locally through the program. 

The passenger train manufacturing workforce has not been in operation in the Hunter since 2013, with a national focus put on locomotives built offshore. 

The two new production lines in the Hunter, in addition to the existing three lines at Auburn and Flemington, will increase the pace of train upgrades from 12 per year to 20. 

A new Tanagra fleet is planned to be built through the program, set to begin procurement by 2027. 

To date, four Tanagra trains are undergoing upgrades with the first train now in the network undergoing dynamic testing activities before it re-enters service. 

"This is what rebuilding public transport capability in NSW looks like," Minister Aitchison added. 

"More skilled jobs in the Hunter, more apprentices and more work being done here in Australia, instead of offshore."

Picture supplied. 

Police Investigate Fatal Crash At Maitland

 BY IAN CROUCH

An investigation is underway after a man was killed in a crash at Maitland.

Emergency services were called to Flat Road at Largs just before 12.30pm on Thursday (19 March 2026) to reports a man had been hit by a vehicle.

Despite the efforts of paramedics, he was unable to be revived and died at the scene and is yet to be formally identified.

A 32-year-old woman who was driving the vehicle was taken to hospital for mandatory drug and alcohol testing.

As investigations continue, police are urging anyone with dashcam footage or information to contact Crime Stoppers.

 

Hunter Region Feeling Pinch Of Additional Interest Rate Increase

 BY REUBEN AGYEI DANSO

Hunter residents are increasingly calling for financial assistance, following additional interest rate increases. 

Due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Reserve Bank of Australia has added another increase to national interest rates, bumping up the total to 4.1 percent. 

Following the initial spike, the National Debt Helpline has recorded it's highest number of calls recorded for the month of February since 2020. 

Last month, the service handled more than 15,800 calls and online chats about mortgage stress, credit card and ATO debts, growing energy bills and personal loans, a nine percent jump on the same time last year.

Helpline coordinator Vicki Staff said the increase is bad news for people who are already struggling. 

"The kind of decisions that people are now having to make; do I pay for rent or do I pay for my medicine?" she said. 

"So, the more interest rates go up, the more pressure it puts on people". 

Ms Staff explained it comes at a time where additional financial pressures are already rampant. 

"We already know that the reason behind this rate hike is related to what's going on globally," she said. 

"Some people are struggling to put petrol in their cars at the same time. 

"So, it's just coming down to those really tough decisions that people are having to make everyday." 

Yesterday's increase is expected to add about $100 a month to the repayments on a $600,000 loan. 

It comes as inflation sits at 3.8 percent, which is outside the Reserve Bank's target range of between two and three percent. 

Financial Counselling Australia CEO Dr Domenique Meyrick said people who are struggling need to know they are not alone. 

"They should contact their bank or lender as soon as possible," she said. 

"It's critical that banks and lenders respond constructively when customers ask for help." 

However, Ms Staff said there is still reason for optimism. 

"I think that certainly there is hope that things will ease globally and will provide a pressure release back here in Australia," she added. 

Picture: Pexels 

Work To Begin On Hillsborough Road Upgrade

BY OLIVIA HADWEN

The long-awaited Hillsborough Road upgrade is set to begin in April.

The project's first stage involves the upgrade of Crockett Street intersection. 

New traffic lights will be installed and 700 metres of the road along Hillsborough Road will be duplicated. 

Early site establishment activities will begin in April, with major construction expected to start in May and take around 18 months to complete, depending on staging arrangements. 

The state government is investing $35 million to complete initial stage, set to be undertaken by Daracon Contractors Pty Ltd. 

The entire project will ultimately upgrade the 1.8 kilometer stretch of road running from the Newcastle Inner City Bypass roundabout to the existing duplication of west Crockett Street. 

Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said the project will assist the thousands of motorists using the road everyday. 

"After years of congestion and frustration for local drivers, we're getting on with the job of delivering real upgrades that make a difference," she said. 

"It's harder to do this work without causing some disruption, but motorists will be pleased when they're seeing there is going to be significant improvements to their daily commute.

"We ask motorists to take care around construction areas and to follow all road signs."

The project was shaped through community feedback, with Transport for NSW consulting on the concept design and environmental assessment in 2022 and publishing the submissions report in August 2023. 

Picture: Transport for NSW