Central Coast Tyre Shop Damaged By Fire

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has caused extensive damage to a tyre store on the Central Coast this morning.

Around 20 firefighters from three stations were called to the East Coast Tyre and Auto outlet on the Pacific Highway at Tuggerah just before 4.30.

They took about an hour to bring the blaze under control and stop it spreading to the second level of the shop.

No-one was injured and the fire is being treated as suspicious.

 

6 Hour Standoff Ends With Arrest Of A Man At Mayfield

 BY IAN CROUCH

A man is due to front court today (Monday 24 March, 2025) charged with domestic violence offences following an alleged stand-off with police at Mayfield.

Emergency services were called to a unit complex in Woodbine Street just before 11.00am on Sunday following reports of a domestic violence incident.

Police were told a 66-year-old woman had been assaulted by a man known to her.

It's further alleged he threatened police who tried to arrest him.

Specialist tactical police, paramedics and firefighters were called in to assist and residents of the unit bloc were evacuated as a precaution.

Around 5.15pm, a 30-year-old man left the unit and was arrested without incident.

He's been charged with four offences and refused bail to face Newcastle Local Court today. 

Emergency services at the scene in Woodbine Street, Mayfield. Photo ABC Newcastle Keeley Johnson 

 

 

Council to Vote On Major Broadmeadow Renewal

 BY JACK SEYMOUR

Newcastle Council will be voting on the adoption of a 30-year strategy next week which will shape the future of Broadmeadow.

The Broadmeadow Place Strategy is the next step in the suburbs renewal, which will see up to 15,000 jobs and 20,000 homes created.

The plan comes after the State Government's Rezoning Pathways Program named the precinct as one of ten which will boost housing supply.

City of Newcastle Executive Director of Planning and Environment Michelle Bisson says the strategy presents a unique opportunity to help set the vision and guide where key infrastructure and services should be located.

"The NSW Government has been working in partnership with the City of Newcastle to develop the Place Strategy," she said.

"We are the only Council in NSW involved in such a partnership, ensuring early input into the strategic planning for the renewal of he Broadmeadow precinct," she said.

 

Artist's impression of Belford Street. Credit: Newcastle Council

 

Big Map Exhibitions To Explore How Hunter Would Cope in Natural Disaster

 BY PETER HYSLOP

Newcastle and Lake Macquarie residents are being invited to see how their homes would cope in a natural disaster.

Disaster Relief Australia is set to host two big map events at Newcastle Wests and Kahibah this weekend.

As the climate changes the risk of disaster is set to steadily increase in the areas-

Lake Macquarie Council’s Derek Poulton says the giant map will help residents understand how to manage different scenarios.

“We get storms, lots of fallen trees, fires. This is an opportunity to create a few scenarios and exercises putting us through [multiple situations] and consider what things we would need to look at,” he said.

Image Credit: Disaster Relief Australia

 

Police Disappointed Following Vandalism at Thornton Skate Park

 BY PETER HYSLOP

 Port Stephens Hunter Police say they're seeking information about damage caused to the recently-built Thornton Skate Park

It's been open for a week, but spray painted tags and images have been painted all over ramps.

Officers say they're disappointed about the damage.

Anyone with information's being asked to contract Crime Stoppers.

Vandalism at Thornton Skate Park. Credit: Port Stephens Hunter Police

Coalition Commits $100 Million for Maitland Overpass

 BY PETER HYSLOP

The Coalition says $100 million is needed to solve gridlock at the Maitland roundabout at the New England Highway.

They'll invest the funds if elected for a westbound flyover near Maitland Station to improve traffic flow. It's a regular pinch point.

Paterson Liberal hopeful Laurence Antcliff was flanked by Shadow transport minister Bridget Mackenzie, Hunter Nationals candidate Sue Gilroy, and Deputy Opposition Leader Susan Ley this morning.

Sue Gilroy says locals have been calling out for improvements for years.

"I have knocked on thousands of doors in the Hunter electorate, and what I hear all the time is infrastructure isn't keeping up with growth," she said.

"This is a demonstration of an essential piece of infrastructure that really needs to be delivered," she said.

From Left: Nationals Hunter candidate Sue Gilroy, Nationals Senator Bridget McKenzie, Paterson Liberal Candidate Laurence Antcliff

Concerns Raised For Missing Man and Woman in Newcastle

 IAN CROUCH

Police are appealing for help to locate two people who've been reported missing by their families in Newcastle.

30-year-old Katrina Johnson last made contact with her family on Thursday March 6 and could be in the Northern Beaches area of Sydney.

She's described as being Caucasian with a thin build and pink and blue hair - she also has several tattoos over her body.

Meanwhile, 27-year-old Logan Wilson was last seen at New Lambton on Monday this week and his disappearance is out of character.

Logan is described as being Caucasian, about 175cm tall with a medium build and brown hair.

 

Katrina Johnson

 

 

Logan Wilson