Brain-Eating Amoebas Stalling Push to Re-Open Lake Liddell

 BY CHARLIE PROUDLOCK

AGL is continuing to refuse pushes to reopen Lake Liddell, with deadly brain-eating amoebas still believed to be inhabiting the waterway.

The man-made lake was created back in the late 1960s, as an extension of the now-partially destroyed Liddell Power Station.

It was shut in 2016, after an initial discovery of the rare Naegleria Fowleri amoeba.

The organism is commonly found in warm freshwater bodies and can cause a severe brain infection if water containing it enters the nose while swimming.

Despite the risk, many boaters and fishers are pushing for the Lake to be reopened to the public for recreational use.

Among those backing the push is Upper Hunter MP Dave Layzell who said AGL needs to work quickly to re open the once popular public waterway.

"It's about continuing the conversation with AGL and making sure they are aware the community is still agitating to get the lake back," he said.

"Right now, there's a certain amount of trust between the community and AGL that they're doing the right thing and they're doing the right measures to make sure it can be used in the future.

"It's about trust and it's about working together."

AGL is continuing to monitor Lake Liddell for the amoebas, with the energy giant stating several seasons of water sampling are required to better understand it's condition.

Both the lake and nearby site of the power station remain under a contamination audit, as part of a state application to demolish and rehabilitate the location. 

As a result, further testing is required before any motion to publicly re-open the lake can commence.

Lake Liddell. Picture: Wikipedia

MISSING: Police Search For Two Young People From Hunter Region

 BY OLI GOELDNER

Police are appealing for information to locate two young adults missing from the Hunter. 

12-year-old Jacinta Horder was last seen at an address on Ibis Parade at Woodberry, at about 1.30pm on Tuesday 16 June. 

It's believed she may have travelled by train to the Newcastle Area. 

Police ad family hold concerns for Jacinta's welfare due to her young age. 

She's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 150 cm tall with a medium build and long wavy/curly hair dyed dark red. 

She's known to frequent the Woodberry, Beresfield and Newcastle Areas. 

Jacinta Horder. Picture: NSW Police 

Police are also searching for 16-year-old Zephyr Cammarata, who was last seen on Rockmaster Street in Chisholm at 9.30am Friday 5 June. 

Family and police hold concerns for his welfare due to his age and as he requires regular medication. 

He's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 155cm tall, of thin build with dark brown hair -- last seen wearing a grey track suit.

Zephyr's known to frequent the Port Stephens, Hunter Valley and Orange areas. 

Following inquiries, police believe he may be in the Orange area. 

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

Zephyr Cammarata, Picture: Facebook 

 

 

Newcastle Inner City Bypass On Track For End Of Year Completion

 BY JOHN HEWITT

The much-awaited Newcastle Inner City bypass is a step closer with the completion of the section between Rankin Park and Jesmond, ahead of the project's planned opening later this year.

With all major bridges on the route now connected, crews are working on completing earthworks, road surfacing, safety barriers, noise walls and landscaping.

Once complete, the bypass is expected to remove up to 30,000 vehicles a day from Newcastle Road, improving road safety, easing congestion and providing a more reliable journey for motorists.

The bypass project, which is jointly funded by the Federal and State governments, is expected to significantly reduce peak-period travel times and strengthen connections to key destinations, including John Hunter hospital, the University of Newcastle and key shopping centres.

Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison said it will make every-day travel simpler and faster for thousands of Newcastle motorists.

"I want to thank Newcastle motorists for their patience as we complete the bypass program, and we're confident it will be worth the wait,' she said. 

"The project will mean the bypassing of 11 sets of traffic lights, halving peak-period travel times and improving safety for Newcastle motorists.  

"With the completion of this latest stage we're looking forward to opening of the bypass later this year, weather permitting."

Picture: Transport for NSW

  

Police Investigating As Council Look To Charge Mayfield Chaos Organisers

BY OLI GOELDNER    

Police are ramping up investigations into a rowdy mass gathering at Mayfield Skate Park on Sunday. 

At about 2pm Sunday, a crowd of more than 200 gathered at the corner of Ingall Street and Maitland Road for an event advertised by a clothing company. 

The organisation promised more than $5000 in cash giveaways, as well as over 750 free items and 300 free t-shirts. 

Newcastle police district commander Superintendent Kylie Endemi said they were aware of the event prior to Sunday. 

"Police responded to that situation in the form of this operation, in response to intelligence gathering that we had conducted leading up to this event and some identified risks in relation to potentially what might transpire at that event," she said. 

The organisation held a similar event around 24 May at Logan City in Queensland, which saw similar incidents occur. 

In addition to the 150 to 200 attendees, a further 30 to 40 people were riding trail bikes on parklands and surrounding streets, many of which being unregistered. 

"Their behaviour in the park and on our public streets was nothing short of dangerous," said Superintendent Endemi. 

"It put people's lives at risk.

"Police who were on scene were forced to closed roads, there was a police car damaged and there was a civilian car damaged."

Police breaking up a brawl at the event. Picture: Scraxx Cantbestopped (Facebook). 

The only arrest was a woman involved in a alleged assault, who has since been released pending further investigations. 

"There are significant investigations occurring at the moment in relation to everything that happened in this disorderly event yesterday," Superintendent Endemi explained. 

"I want to make it clear to all those who behave in that unlawful manner that you might not have been arrested yesterday, but that does not mean police will not come knocking on your door." 

Police are currently trawling through footage of the event, obtained through body-worn video, in-car video and Pol Air, to help assist in further inquiries. 

Superintendent Endemi added they made an attempt to liaise with the organisers at the event. 

"The Police Forward Commander tried to engage with the event organiser to seek their cooperation in terms of helping us to restore order and ensure that this event was conducted in a safe manner," she said. 

"They did not assist police in that regard." 

Ward 2 councillor and Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe said Council plans to launch further action to remediate costs for damage caused. 

"There's obvious trail bike markings all through the parkland around the sporting oval at Dangar Park in Mayfield," she said. 

"That is damage to a park that we all own together, collectively, and all of our funds, our rates, care for that park.

"So, for a company that makes a profit to use our park in that way and to damage it, they are responsible and they should be paying.

"It's not fair for those costs to have to be covered by rate payers. 

"My understanding is that the council will be contacting this company and seeking payment for fixing our park." 

Large crowds gathering on Ingall Street. Picture: Tony Druce (Facebook). 

UPDATE! Police Issue Urgent Appeal To Find Severely Injured Newcastle Man

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police have advised 42-year-old Peter Bates has been located and have thanked everyone who shared the appeal.

EARLIER: 

Police say a man's life is at risk unless he receives urgent medical treatment after going missing from the John Hunter Hospital.

42-year-old Peter Bates presented with a severe stomach wound yesterday afternoon (Thursday 12 June 2026) but was then seen boarding a bus at about 3.00pm.

The cause of his injury is unknown, but hospital staff have told police his life is in danger unless he receives treatment within the next 24 to 48 hours.

Peter's described as being of Caucasian appearance, about 175cm tall with a medium build and short brown hair.

He was last seen wearing a grey beanie, black hooded jumper, light grey track pants, red shoes and was carrying a white plastic bag.

If you've seen Peter or have any information on whereabouts, contact Crime Stoppers immediately on 1800 333 000.

Missing man Peter Bates. Images supplied by NSW Police

 

Mark Hughes Foundation Commits $18.9 Million Donation to University of Newcastle

 BY CAMERON TARAGEL

The Mark Hughes Foundation has donated a landmark $18.9 million philanthropic gift to the University of Newcastle to fast track brain cancer research.

The announcement this morning now brings the MHF's total contribution to the university to over $36 million. 

The donation places it as one of the largest philanthropic investments in brain cancer nationally and the university's biggest donation to date.

The foundation and university hope to collaborate to find a cure for brain cancer as it is the leading cause of cancer deaths in children and adults under 40.

Under previous donations, the university's Mark Hughes Foundation Centre for Brain Cancer Research was established in 2022.

The collaboration will further strengthen Newcastle's current research centres for brain cancer and help translate current research into a clinical practice, allowing for more treatment options.

Mark Hughes Foundation Centre Director, Professor Mike Fay says the gift has boosted the first phase of research.

"We're building research platforms, forming partnerships, developing new drug developments and clinical trials," he said.

"Which is absolutely going to change the outlook for brain cancer patients across Australia." he said..

With the new funding, Professor Fay said the next 5 years will be taking research and implementing it practically.

"One of the things we are planning to develop is a treatment called theranostic treatment," he said.

"We give the patient a drug, initially it's got an imaging radionuclide on the back of it and then put the patient in a scanner so we can see where it's going in the body," he said.

"We change that over for a therapy isotope once we know the patient's appropriate for that sort of treatment," he said.

"It then floats around the body and binds to the brain cancer and we hope helps destroy it." he said.

Professor Fay hopes the new treatments like the blood test for cancer will allow the foundation to explore new treatments as quickly as possible.

"Some will be new drugs. Others will be drugs that already exist that we've found new uses for." he said.

The foundation and centre also hopes that raising awareness of brain cancer will help speed up research.

"We think with all this extra attention on brain cancer that things are starting to move an awful lot faster." he said.

Professor Mike Fay

UPDATE! Search Stepped Up For Missing Wallsend Teenager

 BY IAN CROUCH

Word just in from Police - 14-year-old Latanah has been found.

They've thanked everyone for sharing their appeal.  

EARLIER:

Police are stepping up the search for a teenage girl who went missing from Wallsend two weeks ago.

14-year-old Latanah Widders was last seen in Bousfield Street on Tuesday May 26.

She's described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 130cm tall with a thin build with dyed black/burgundy hair.

Latanah was last seen wearing a black hooded jumper, black track suit pants and black and white Nike slides.

She's known to use public transport to travel and my have been at Liverpool Train Station in Sydney's west at about 1.00am on Thursday June 4.

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

 

Missing teen Latanah Widders