State Government Denies Funding For Beaumont St CCTV

 BY OLI GOELDNER

Newcastle Liberal councillor Jenny Barrie is slamming the state government's refusal to provide funding for a proposed CCTV trial on Beaumont Street. 

As anti-social behaviour along the Hamilton strip continues to rise, Cr Barrie and the Hamilton Business Improvement Association (BIA) are calling for more protection measures to be put in place. 

In April, Newcastle MP Tim Crakanthorp tabled a petition with more than 1000 signatures to Newcastle deputy lord mayor Charlotte McCabe advocating for the installation, days after the release of the Hamilton Community Safety Audit. 

The audit outlined several recommendations to help reduce anti-social behaviour along Beaumont Street, including the installation of CCTV surveillance at nine different locations. 

Newcastle council and the Hamilton BIA agreed to fund the proposal, as long as the state government covered half. 

The Hamilton BIA applied for $100,000 in state funding for the project to the Active Regional Communities package, which has since been denied. 

Now, Cr Barrie said the state government is kicking it down the road as an election promise. 

"I just don't think that's good enough," she said. 

"What happens if they can't get enough money for Newcastle in the election commitments, and if they do get approved it will be next June before the money comes through and then installed by at least August.

"We've been talking about this for two years." 

However, Mr Crakanthorp said he's still committed to the project, despite the setback. 

"I want to see CCTV on Beaumont St delivered as soon as possible," he said. 

"I'd see this more as a speed hump than a roadblock. 

"I'll continue to advocate for that money."

On Wednesday morning, Cr Barrie met with residents, businesses and the Hamilton Community Safety Committee to discuss their next possible options. 

Newcastle Council To Consider Banning Smart Glasses

BY RUBY VAN DE WIJGAART

Newcastle councillors are pushing a motion to ban smart glasses from council facilities, including pools and ocean baths. 

The increased popularity of the glasses with secret imbedded cameras has sky rocketed, with retail stores such as Kmart selling them at cheap prices. 

The spike has prompted many officials to harbour concerns around safety and privacy in public spaces, especially that of women and children. 

Councillor Deahnna Richardson said she understands the concerns of the community as a mother herself

"It just feels insurmountable to sort of address this on your own and to take responsible measures around what you can control as an individual to protect yourself, protect you kids, especially if you're quite vulnerable in the community," she said. 

The motion, being put forward by herself and councillors Declan Clausen, Peta Winney-Baartz, Paige Johnson and Elizabeth Adamczyk, will look to prohibit the use of wearable technology in council buildings and facilities. 

The notice of motion requests Council "work with the operators, licensees and lessees of City of Newcastle (CN) owned facilities, including Beresfield childcare centre, CN swimming centres, ocean baths and sporting facility change rooms". 

However, the motion does note some people do use the technology as a method of assistance, including those who are visually impaired. 

"There are people out there in the community who use smart glasses as assistive technology and for them it's life changing," said Cr Richardson. 

"But, as we know, historically with the use of technology, the onus has been on the individual to use it ethically and responsibly. 

"And, we know that doesn't always happen." 

Council will discuss the matter at Tuesday night's Ordinary Council Meeting. 

Pictures: Meta, City of Newcastle

BREAKING! Tenambit Home Destroyed In Fierce Overnight Fire

 BY IAN CROUCH

Fire has destroyed a home at Tenambit overnight.

Newcastle Fire Command says they received 15 triple zero calls to a medium-sized single level brick and tile house in Lavinia Close, with the first crew arriving just after 12.30am today (Friday 18 September 2026) to find the property engulfed in flames.

Five fire trucks and an aerial appliance responded to the blaze.

Around 20 firefighters fought the flames for almost 4 hours, unable to enter the property due to the intensity of the blaze.

The roof collapsed at the height of the fire, with the property reduced to a pile smouldering rubble.

All the occupants have been accounted for and an investigation will get under way to determine how the fire started.  

 

UPDATE! Concerns Held For Missing Jesmond Man

 BY IAN CROUCH

Good News!

Police have advised Darren has been located.

They've thanked the public and the media for their assistance.

EARLIER: 

Police are asking for our help to find a man who's gone missing from Jesmond.

57-year-old Darren Daley was last seen in Michael Street at about 4.30pm yesterday (Thursday 17 September 2026) and there are concerns for his welfare as he lives with dementia and a number of medical conditions.

He's described as being of Aboriginal/Torres Strait Islander appearance, about 165cm tall with a slim build, grey hair and a beard.

Darren was last seen wearing a green/khaki jacket, purple jumper, black tracksuit pants, black sneakers and a Koori Knockout hat.

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

 

Missing Man Darren Daley

Port Stephens Jet Ski Restrictions To Return This Summer

 BY OLI GOELDNER

A restriction on powered vessels along popular Port Stephens swim spots will be put in place this summer after a successful trial run.

From 24 December 2025 to 26 January 2026, three locations at Port Stephens put in restrictions preventing powered vessels, including jet skis, from operating within 30 metres of the shoreline. 

Dutchman's Beach, Fly Point and Shoal Bay were included in the trial, with clear signage installed at the sites and launch points. 

An evaluation report has since been released, showing more than 85 per cent of residents, visitors and powered vessel users were in support of the initiative. 

Throughout the trial, there were no cases of powered vessels observed speeding near the shoreline at the restricted areas. 

Stand-up paddleboards and other non-powered watercraft activity increased substantially in the powered vessel free zones as well. 

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington said the results of the trial speak for themselves. 

"The results from last season are overwhelmingly supportive and positive," she said. 

"What we saw was a reduction in conflicts and a much safer, calmer summer." 

NSW Maritime Executive Director Nicole Watts echoed the MP's statements. 

"Port Stephens is one of our state's most popular waterways and this trial is about keeping everyone safe while enjoying the water," said Ms Watts. 

"With zones in place at the same locations this summer, there are still extensive areas across Port Stephens where powered vessels can operate safely and responsibly." 

Port Stephens MP Kate Washington and Roads Minister Jenny Aitchison in Port Stephens. Picture: Ian Crouch

Police Search For Alleged Sexual Touching Offender In The Hunter

 BY IAN CROUCH

Police are asking for our help to track down a man accused of sexually touching a girl on a bus in the Hunter this week.

Three girls were travelling on a bus from Rotary Park at Kurri Kurri to Cessnock Road at Gillieston Heights on Wednesday September 9 just before 4.00pm when an unknown man allegedly touched one of the girls on the hip and thigh.

The girl wasn't injured.

The man's described as being of Caucasian appearance, aged in his 40's or 50's with a medium to large build and short grey hair.

He was wearing a black hooded jumper with a white logo on the front and white writing on the sleeve, grey tracksuit pants and white Nike joggers,

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers. 

Police want to speak to this man about an alleged sexual touching incident.

 

Newcastle Ocean Photographer Crowed Best Of The Best

 BY OLI GOELDNER

Newcastle-based photographer Matty Smith has won the global 2026 Ocean Photographer of the Year Fine Art category with his beautiful snaps of marine wildlife. 

The winning pic is a black-and-white portrait of a nurse shark, flanked by remoras in perfect formation. 

Mr Smith received the accolade from the Australian National Maritime Museum, with his images to be on display from November 19. 

There were 10 Australian or Australian-based photographers nominated as finalists in the competition, with more than 15,000 images entered from around the world. 

Mr Smith said he knew the nurse shark photograph would be a winner. 

"The planets aligned at the end of a late afternoon dive in the Maldives," he recalled. 

"Upon ascending from the depths, I crossed paths with this beautiful tawny nurse shark bathed in ethereal evening light.

"I instantly knew it would make a great black and white shot." 

Picture: Matty Smith

In addition to his category winning image, Mr Smith also had a second picture which received highly commended in the Wildlife category. 

The image shows Southern elephant seal pups exploring shallow rock pools on Sea Lion Island in the Falkland Islands. 

Picture: Matty Smith